History - Course Descriptions

HIS 150 Survey of American History (3) An overview of major themes in

American history from the pre-Colombian period to the present. Designed for

non-history majors, especially elementary education. Special attention given

to

HIS 201 Introduction to History (3) An introduction to the practice and discipline

of history, ranging from research and writing to more theoretical concerns.

Spring every year.

HIS 220 Europe I: Ancient through Medieval (3) Survey of ancient and medieval

history, from fifth century BC to the 14th century AD, tracing major ideas, institutions,

and events and the shift from Mediterranean to European culture.

HIS 221 Europe II: 1500-1815 (3) From the Renaissance through the

Napoleonic period. The formation of modern Europe.

HIS 222 Europe III: 1815-Present (3) Nineteenth and twentieth century Europe.

HIS 250 U.S. I: Colonial (3) Survey of the colonial period to the adoption of the

Constitution. Special emphasis on Pennsylvania history.

HIS 251 U.S. II: 19th Century (3) Development of the nation from the early

republic through the 1890s. Special emphasis on Pennsylvania history.

HIS 252 U.S. III: 20th Century (3) Survey of major themes in US history since

1900. Special emphasis on Pennsylvania history.

HIS 260 Latin America (3) Colonial developments from discovery to independence

and problems of the republics from independence to the present. Alternate years.

HIS 270 Middle East (3) History of Islam, noting especially its impact on

political behavior of the Islamic countries and including the Arab-Israeli confrontation.

Alternate years.

HIS 280 Modern Africa (3) History and politics of Sub-Saharan Africa, with emphasis

on the interaction of indigenous and Western influences. Alternate years.

HIS 290 Modern Asia (3) Historical and political aspects of the people, particularly

in China and Japan, especially since 1800. Alternate years.

HIS 300 Special Surveys (3) Specialized surveys of various historical topics

not otherwise listed in the catalog. Examples: philosophy of history,

Pennsylvania history, history of the British Empire, women′s history, etc.

May be repeated with different topics.

HIS 321 19th Century European Intellectual History (3) A study of the main

ideas that influenced European thought up to World War I, including

Romanticism, nationalism, liberalism, socialism, imperialism, etc. Special attention

will be paid to thinkers and movements that shaped the religious life of

Europe in the 19th century.

HIS 331 20th Century Western Intellectual History (3) Intellectual trends in

the Western world since World War I. Intellectual underpinnings of communism,

Nazism, and fascism. The emergence from colonial dependence and the

rise of a global world. Scientific and philosophical movements. Existentialism,

postmodernism, and current trends, with emphasis on a Christian understanding

of the world.

HIS 341 U.S. Immigration History. Survey focusing on ethnic and racial contact

and conflict, immigration policy, Americanization, nativism, and religion with

particular emphasis on reform movements of the Gilded Age, Progressive Era,

and the 1920s. The course will utilize the abundant resources related to immigration

history available in Western Pennsylvania. Alternate years.

HIS 351 U.S. Foreign Policy (3) Survey of the history of American foreign

relations with particular emphasis on the period 1898 to the present.

Investigates the ideas, decisions, personalities, and ideological underpinnings

that have shaped and defined US foreign policy. Alternate years.

HIS 361 American Religious History (3) A survey of American religious history from the pre-Colombian period through the present. Alternate years.

HIS 371 United Sates Cultural History (3) An exploration of overarching

themes in American cultural history, including marriage and family, consumerism,

political culture, and sport. Alternate years.

HIS 381 History of Britain (3) Overall view from earliest times to the present,

with special emphasis on the unique developments that distinguish British

history from continental history.

HIS 391 History of Russia (3) An overall consideration of Russian history,

with emphasis on the modern period and the distinctive features of Russian

history and culture.

HIS 401 Selected Themes in History (3) Specialized reading and writing within

a subfield. Examples: French Revolution, civil war, capitalism

and its American critics, genocide, Stuart Britain. Repeatable with different

topic. Prerequisite: junior or senior status or permission of instructor.

HIS 421 Senior Seminar (3) A seminar on a topic or theme of the instructor′s

choosing, involving intensive engagement with historiographical literature as

well as original research. Every fall.

HIS 422 History and Theory (1) A reading course on theory and methodology,

including readings on the intersection of Christian faith and the doing of

history. Every fall. Prerequisite: senior status.