History Department
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HIST 251 World Physical Geography (3)
HIST/GEOG 252 World Cultural and Economic Geography
A survey of the inter-relationship of geography with worldwide ethnic, social,
technological, and market systems. Topics include geographic utilization and
cultural development, diversity and interaction among cultures, and the role of
global economics. This course is required for all Elementary Education
majors and for all Citizenship Education Secondary Education students.
HIST 255 History Through Selected Biography (3)
A study of a selected historical period or theme through the use of biography. The
course will explore the thesis that a well-written biography provides insight into an
historical period or theme. An analysis of the historian's methodology as biographer will
also be included.
HIST 258 Pennsylvania Survey (3)
An overview of the geography, history, politics, economics, and culture of
Pennsylvania. In addition, contemporary issues within the Commonwealth
will be examined. The course is required frequired for a Secondary Education Citizenship Education
certificate.
HIST 260 American Political History (3)
A survey of the historical development of the American political system from the
Federalist Era to the current day. The course will examine growth of the major American
political parties as well as third party movements. Primary focus will include political
party philosophies and programs, ideas and forces which shaped the political system, men
and women who served as party leaders, and significant state and national elections..
HIST 261 Research & Methods (3)
An overview of the basic skills and methods needed for the study of history. Topics
will include library and archival research, historical writing, historiography and
interpretation, use of the computer and quantitative analysis in history, and the
professional opportunities for the history major. Students will complete a supervised
research paper that will be considered the Sophomore-Junior Project. This course is
normally taken in the second semester of the sophomore year and is required of all history
majors.
HIST 265 American Social History (3)
A topical examination of the development of American attitudes and institutions. This
is the history of the common people and the topics include the frontier, religion and
ethnicity, racism and slavery, agriculture and urbanization.
HIST 282 Asian Civilizations (3)
A survey of the major civilizations of "monsoon Asia," ranging from the
Indian Subcontinent, through Indochina and Indonesia, to China and Japan. Focus will be on
the key political, social and cultural developments of the major peoples from their
beginnings to the present Of special interest will be how they influenced each other, and
how they interacted with Western Civilization in the modern period. SYLLABUS
HIST 291. American Christianity (3)
Same course as THEOLOGY 273. The influence and role of Christian faith in the
development of American society from an historical perspective. Attention to the ways in
which Christianity has shaped America, and the extent to which the American experience has
shaped Christianity. Documentary sources from different eras and traditions are studied in
the effort to appreciate the significance of the Christian churches from the colonial
period to the present.
HIST 331 American Business and Labor in Historical Perspective (3)
An analysis of the development of American business from Colonial society to the
present. In particular, the course will examine, from the perspective of historical
continuity, the interaction of economic development with social and political factors.
HIST 333 American Foreign Policy (3)
A survey of the major stages of American interaction with the world around it. It
analyzes the ways in which American leaders have pursued the national interests and
concentrates on the historical background of contemporary problems.
HIST 337 The United States: Revolution to Republic 1763-1815
Analysis of the American revolution and the establishment of the American
Republic. Special attention and emphasis will be given to the influence of
Anglo-American ideas and institutions, the British imperial policies and
colonial reaction, Revolutionary ideology, the social and political consequences
of the Revolution. Also treated will be government in the Confederation
period as well as the establishment of the Constitution, the ideological
conflicts and factionalism in the Washington, Adams, Jefferson administrations
including foreign policy and the impact of the Anglo-French conflict in the
period.
HIST 339 The United States since 1945
It will be the purpose of this course to define and to examine the principal
political, social, economic, and cultural forces in the period. Emphasis
will be given to the study of the challenges and changes at home and abroad
which the United States has experienced in the Cold War and the post-Cold War
era and the development of the world's largest military-industrial-scientific
complex. Also, study of the national and international growth of American
business and corporate enterprise. Analysis of the Civil Rights movement
will included examination of the voices of African-Americans, feminists, gays
and lesbians, young people, and many new immigrants whose status requires
re-examination. The impact oft eh communication and information revolution
will be included.
HIST 343 The American Presidency
An analysis of the significant developments in the evolution of the Presidency
using a study of the administrations of a select group of American
Presidents. Emphasis will be on an examination of the leadership roles
each exercised in shaping eh character of the office as well as a focus on the
primary political, economic, and cultural forces of the respective historical
periods. Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln and the major twentieth
century Presidents will be the primary subjects of the course.
HIST 345 Modern Britain (3)
A broad survey of Britain from the 1680s to the 1980s, from the Glorious Revolution to
the present, with attention paid to economic, social, political and imperial developments.
Themes will include the rise and fall of the world's first industrial nation and its
colonial empire; Victorian culture and society; and the modern welfare state and its
discontents. SYLLABUS
HIST 357 Violence in America: An Historical Perspective (3)
An investigation of the contributory factors within the societal framework that
produced assassinations, rioting, ghetto uprisings, vigilantism, etc. The study excludes
war. The primary focus is to examine, interpret and analyze the evolution of this growing
threat to society's stability.
HIST 361 History of America's Major Wars
This course is a systematic examination of the major wars engaged in by the
United States, analyzing how and why we entered, what we accomplished, and what
were the consequences of our involvement. The Vietnam conflict will
recieve intensive scrutiny and emphasis, particularly the decision-making
process.
HIST 363 Russia in Historical Perspective (3)
A study of the crucial developments and highlights in the evolution of the Russian
state from the Kievan period to the present. Emphasis will be on the roles of ideology,
geography, environment and history in forming, shaping and maintaining authoritarian
government. The study of the contemporary period, especially that dealing with the
creation, establishment and disintegration of the Soviet state, will receive intensive
examination.
HIST 365 Latin America (3)
A survey of the historical development of Hispanic cultural, political, social and
economic institutions in the New World. The course will begin with the legacy of the
Colonial era, and continue through the period of independence movements and nation
building in the nineteenth century. Special emphasis on the way Latin American history has
shaped the region's attitude and role in the Twentieth Century.
HIST 371 International Politics (3)
Selected aspects of international politics at three major levels of analysis; the
international political system; the major actors in the system; the principal forms of
interaction between actors in the system. Among topics are the balance of power;
collective security; foreign policy decision-making; environmental factors; diplomacy,
bargaining and war; arms control; role of non-national actors like the multinational
corporation and the United Nations. Case study illustrations will be utilized.
Cross-listed as PS 371 and IB 371.
HIST 373 Women in Western Civilization (3)
Daughters
and dowagers, moms and mistresses, queens and queers, witches and workers,
bundled with sex and science. Women and their past achievements are often
largely absent from the history books, although they have accounted for about
half of the human race. This course surveys the historical and cultural roles of
women from the beginnings of humanity through classical, medieval, and early
modern European history up to the beginning of the 20th Century. As we analyze
both representative individuals and general trends, topics will include theories
of womens history, legal rights and their influence on political
participations, economic contributions, gender roles in family and community
institutions, cultural constructions, and religious vocations.
HIST 374 Classical Greece and Rome: 800 B.C. - A.D.
500 (3)
An examination of the two cultures which laid the foundation for Western Civilization
and Europe. The course will examine growth of city-states in the Ancient World, the
diverse governments and social structures of Greek poleis, the Hellenistic expansion of
Greek culture, the rise of the Roman Republic and its imperial power, and the impact of
Christianity on Gręco-Roman culture. SYLLABUS
HIST 375 Medieval Europe: 500-1500 (3)
A broadly based inquiry into the historical synthesis of Gręco-Roman, Celtic,
Judeo-Christian, and Germanic Barbarian cultures from the late Roman Empire through the
age of medieval Christendom, ending with the Renaissance. The course surveys peoples and
institutions, especially those of the knights, the clergy, the peasants and the
townspeople, which shaped this period of Western Civilization. SYLLABUS
HIST 376 Early Modern Europe: 1500-1815 (3)
An analysis of the emergence of modern Europe. Starting with the Renaissance and
Reformation of the 16th century, this course surveys the development of the state system
and the origin and evolution of the modern secularized state in its constitutional and
absolutist forms. SYLLABUS
HIST 377 German Europe: 1815-1945 (3)
A survey of the political and cultural development of Europe from the fall of
Napoleon to the fall of Hitler, focusing on the roles played by the German peoples. These
include problems of unification and division, social adjustments of constitutional
democracy and the rise of fascism, rule over different ethnic groups and racism, the arts
and literature, economic and military competition between neighboring European powers, and
the German attempt to dominate the European continent in two World Wars. SYLLABUS
HIST 381 The Modern Middle East (3)
An introduction into a world quite different from western civilization but of
immense historical and contemporary significance. Special emphasis is given the role of
oil in focusing the interests of the two superpowers on an area of crucial economic and
political significance. Chronological concern is with the recent past in which Arab
expectations and power impact upon the world as a whole.
HIST 383 China (3)
A survey of the unique characteristics of civilization and institutions of China as
they evolved, and their relevance in the contemporary era. Internal patterns influencing
China's response to Western impact as well as the collapse of traditional China through
the Nationalist phase to Communism will be considered. Mao Zedong and contemporary China
will be analyzed.
HIST 385 Japan (3)
A survey of the unique characteristics of civilization and institutions of Japan as
they evolved, and their relevance in the contemporary era. Westernization, the first
non-Western model of parliamentary development, and the rise of Japan to world power will
be analyzed. The impact of the occupation, and the socio-political problems of a hybrid
culture and industrial giant will be considered.
HIST 387 World War II
A multidimensional survey of the Second World War. The course will examine
the major stratgic choices which confronted the Axis and Allies 1939-1945 and
the campaigns that followed; the unique Anglo-American alliance; relations
with Soviet Russia and China; and the major wartime conferences. Topics of
special interest will include American war mobilization, economic warfare; the
role of women on the home front, the film and propaganda war, the strategic
bombing controversy, and the atomic bomb decision.
HIST 403 Community Studies (3)
A study of the research, analysis, and implications in all stages of community
development. A historical survey will be presented as a means of examining the present
sociological, political, and economic state of American communities. Although Northeastern
Pennsylvania subject matter will be utilized, the course approaches the material in a
general and multi-regional manner. Direct student participation in selected scholarly
projects will be emphasized.
HIST 415 Senior Seminar (3)
A course designed to integrate discipline-specific knowledge into a culminating
senior experience. Students will be required to analyze and discuss all facets of
historical presentations, including scholarly works and public history. Each class member
will make an in-depth public presentation demonstrating some aspect of historical
research, study, or professional involvement. SYLLABUS
HIST 423; HIST 424; HIST 425 Special Topics in History (3)
A number of courses focusing on specialized historical topics. Past subjects have
included the U.S. Civil War & Reconstruction, The U.S. Presidency, American
First Ladies, African-American History, U.S. Wars, and European Intellectual History; The US since 1945,
or The Witch Hunts 1400-1800. Offered
according to interest.
HIST 476 The Witch Hunts 1400-1800 (3)
From the fifteenth to the eighteenth the centuries, many Europeans
developed a heightened concern with the phenomenon of witchcraft, seeing a new
sect hostile to humanity. The end
of the Middle Ages and the religious Reformation increased the intensity of the "Witch
Craze."
Finally, the Scientific
Revolution and the Enlightenment brought an end to the hunt for
powers that did not empirically exist. Through reading and discussion of
primary and secondary sources, you will learn how
these Europeans defined and treated their alleged witches, within the context of other
economic, social, and cultural relationships. Included in this study will be the
examination of new technologies and
methods of rule in the rise of the modern state, and the roles of class
and gender in focusing hostility on certain people, especially women.
HIST 490-495 Independent Study (3)
Study of a specific historical topic in cooperation with a History
faculty member. Registration
requires approval of the department chairperson.
HIST 496-497 Independent Research (3)
An advanced research project in a specialized area of History under
supervision of a History Faculty Member. Registration
requires approval of the department chairperson.
HIST 499 Internship (3)
A one-semester, supervised experience. Past student placements have included federal,
state and local government agencies, political staffs, law offices, historical societies,
social service organizations, and other local and international businesses.
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