History Courses

HIS 125 (3-0-3)

Western Civilization to 1650

This course introduces students to the development of Western Civilization - especially European society - from ancient times to about 1650. It focuses on political and religious institutions, philosophies, economies, social conditions, and cultural features. It also considers the experience of Western societies in relation to other regions of the world during the same period.

HIS 127 (3-0-3)

Western Civilization Since 1650

This course introduces students to the development of Western Civilization - especially European -  since about 1650. It focuses on political and religious institutions, philosophies, economies, social conditions, and cultural features. It also considers the experience of Western societies in relation to other regions of the world during the same period.

HIS 130 (3-0-3)

Introduction to Black History in the United States

This course is an overview of Black history and culture in America. It examines a broad range of experiences from the origins of the Transatlantic Slave Trade to the recent past.  It focuses on Black Americans’ contributions and accomplishments in American history and society, and highlights significant events, figures, movements, as well as past and ongoing structural and systemic challenges.

HIS 132 (3-0-3)

World Civilizations to 1600

This course surveys world civilizations from ancient times to about 1600. It emphasizes the development of political and religious institutions, philosophies, economies, social conditions, and cultural features in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The course explores the unique experiences of individual civilizations as well as their global interactions and commonalities.

HIS 134 (3-0-3)

World Civilizations since 1600

This course surveys world civilizations since about 1600. It emphasizes the development of political and religious institutions, philosophies, economies, social conditions, and cultural features in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The course explores the unique experiences of individual civilizations as well as their global interactions and commonalities.

HIS 227 (3-0-3)

American History to 1877

This course is an introduction to American history to 1877. It covers political, economic, legal, and cultural events, explores the experiences, opportunities, and perspectives, of diverse people, and investigates the historical contributions of members of various groups, including those often excluded or marginalized in narratives about the evolving nation. The course examines the rights and opportunities of citizenship, and patterns of inclusion and exclusion in relation to these. It explores American interactions with other parts of the world, and serves as an introduction to the methods and skills historians use to reconstruct the past.

HIS 229 (3-0-3)

American History Since 1877

This course is an introduction to American history from 1877 to the recent past. It covers political, economic, legal, and cultural events; explores the experiences, opportunities, and perspectives, of diverse people; and investigates the historical contributions of members of various groups, including those often excluded or marginalized in narratives about the evolving nation. The course examines the rights and opportunities of citizenship, and patterns of inclusion and exclusion in relation to these. It explores American interactions with other parts of the world, and serves as an introduction to the methods and skills historians use to reconstruct the past.

HIS 231 (3-0-3)

Introduction to Russian History

This course surveys the history of Russia and related areas from the earliest times to the present. It emphasizes political, economic, social, and cultural developments. It includes the geographical areas of present-day Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other areas of significant Russian influence, such as the imperial conquests and Soviet Republics of Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Baltic States. It also focuses on Russian relations with European and other world powers, as well as ethnic Russian interaction with other ethnicities that are or have historically been part of the Russian/Soviet state.

HIS 233 (3-0-3)

History of Women and Gender in the United States

This course uses the lens of women’s and gender history from the colonial period to the recent past to survey major themes in the development of American civilization. It focuses on variables such as race, class, sexual orientation and national origin, and how they impacted the way in which women understood their lives and had access to opportunity. It also covers individuals who stand out as heroines and firsts, and explores how gender has shaped the experiences of all Americans. 

HIS 237 (3-0-3)

Introduction to Chinese History

This course surveys the history of China and related areas from the earliest times to the present. It emphasizes political, economic, social, and cultural developments. It also focuses on Chinese relations with European and other world powers, as well as ethnic Chinese interaction with other ethnicities that are or have historically been part of a Chinese state.

HIS 241 (3-0-3)

European Witch Trials

This course surveys the history of the persecution of accused witches from the Medieval through the Early Modern era in Europe (ca. 600-1700), and including New England. The focus is on the anthropological, religious, legal, political and socio-economic contexts in which beliefs about magic and witches arose and were widely accepted. Attention is given to regional variations in witch beliefs and trial procedures. It also surveys the growth of skepticism, toleration, and the gradual decline of witch persecution to around the end of the 17th century. Finally, it considers some 20th- and 21st-century analogs to the European witch trials around the world. 

HIS 243 (3-0-3)

The Viking World

This course introduces students to the history and culture of the Vikings and associated peoples, both in their Scandinavian homelands and abroad in the British Isles, Continental Europe, Russia, North America, and the Middle East. The course starts with prehistory and concludes around the late 12th century, with special focus on the Viking-Era (ca.750-1100). It focuses on political, economic, and cultural aspects of Viking-Era Scandinavian societies, including Icelandic skaldic poetry and saga literature. The course also focuses on the interrelations and mutual influences of these societies with neighboring peoples.

HIS 250 (3-0-3)

Topics in History

This is a research-based seminar course that examines an instructor-selected topic area of history. The course emphasizes the analysis of primary and secondary sources and introduces the fundamentals of historiography. It guides students through the process of choosing a research topic and selecting appropriate source material. The course aids them in developing essential skills in the application of historical reasoning and argument to a particular project.  It is strongly suggested that students complete at least two history courses before enrolling in this course. 
Spring only