The history curriculum consists of a diverse range of courses, organized in a progressive sequence. Introductory courses (111, 211-214) are integrative and comparative courses designed to provide students with a foundation for more specialized work in upper-level courses organized by geographic areas, time periods, and themes.
The history curriculum is intended for all students of the liberal arts, history majors and non-majors alike. There are no prerequisites to history courses. Upper-level courses presuppose greater sophistication in analytical and interpretive skills, but they do not assume knowledge of particular content.
Links to the most recent syllabi can be found next to the individual courses listed below. Old syllabi are also available in The Syllabus Archive.
His 111. Foundations of the Modern Age.
An introduction to the ideas, institutions and events which shaped modern Western
civilization, focusing on Western Europe and North America but also giving attention
to the relationship between the West and the rest of the world. Satisfies General
Degree Requirement IV.B. Winter 2006 Syllabus
-- Luttmer; Fall 2004 Syllabus
-- Luttmer ;
Winter 2001 Syllabus -- M. Vosmeier; Fall 2000
Syllabus--Murphy ; Fall 2000 Syllabus--S. Vosmeier
His 211. The History of Western Civilization, Ancient to 1492. Offered
alternate Fall Terms Fall 2005 Syllabus;
Fall 1997 Syllabus
His 212. The History of Western Civilization, 1492-1750. Offered alternate Winter
Terms. Fall 2004 Syllabus
His 213. The History of Western Civilization, 1750-1914. Offered each Fall Term
His 214. The History of Western Civilization, 1914 to Present. Offered each Winter
Term.
By integrating European and American history, encouraging innovative comparative approaches,
and giving consideration to the relationship between the West and the world, the four-course
"core" sequence in Western Civilization is designed to provide students with a broad
geographical, cultural, and historical context for evaluating and interpreting historical problems,
and to give them a solid foundation for more advanced work not only in history but also in other
disciplines.
His 226. Abraham Lincoln and the American Dream.
A course that uses
biography, Abraham Lincoln's own words, and popular culture to examine the sixteenth president
in historical context - as a product of the cultural and intellectual currents of nineteenth-century
America - and in America's collective memory, as an image and symbol of national values and
ideals. Offered alternate Spring Terms.
His 227. Twentieth-Century America and Your Family.
An examination of
twentieth-century American life, considering the intersection of national history and lived
experience. Students will interview family members, using their own interviews and those of their
colleagues to make historical arguments about national events and everyday life. Offered
alternate Spring Terms.
His 228. The Family in Western Civilization.
A historical study of family life in
Europe and America, including gender roles, childrearing practices, economic strategies, and the
material conditions of everyday life. Considers the family from ancient times to the present,
giving special attention to the America experience.
His 229. Women in America.
A survey of American women's experiences from the
colonial era to the present, giving special attention to the "public sphere" (including politics, the
workplace, and the law).
His 230. American Military History, 1600-1903.
A survey of American military history through the conclusion of the Philippines conquest,
studying the miltary campaigns conducted by Americans during this period. In addition to
studying strategy, tactics, and weapons, issues such as the social composition of the armed forces,
the influence of new technologies on warfare,the tension between "professional" and "citizen"
soldiers, popular attitudes toward war and the military, and the effects of war on American
society will be explored. Fall 2000 Syllabus
His 231. American Military History, 1903 to Present.
A survey of American military from 1903 to the present, studying the miltary campaigns
conducted by Americans during this period. In addition to studying strategy, tactics, and
weapons, issues such as the social composition of the armed forces, the influence of new
technologies on warfare,the tension between "professional" and "citizen" soldiers, popular
attitudes toward war and the military, and the effects of war on American society will be
explored.
His 232. Studies in American Indian History.
An examination of selected topics in the history of the native cultures of North America, their
response to the advent of the Europeans, and their evolving relationship with the United States.
Content may vary. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Offered in Spring
Term.
His 234. Studies in American Cultural History.
An examination of selected topics in cultural history of the United States. May be repeated for
credit with permission of instructor.
His 235. American Autobiographies and Diaries.
A biographical and autobiographical investigation of individuals remembered as heroic, famous,
infamous, notorious, and "ordinary." Offered in Spring Term.
His 237. Citizenship in American History.
Inquiry into the transformation from the subjectship of colonial status to citizenship during the
18th century; the changes from state-based to nation-based citizenship during the 19th century;
and the development of citizenship within the context of the welfare state and the global wars of
the 20th century. Offered in Spring Term.
His 260L Sport and the American Century
This seminar considers the ways in which the history of organized sports in the 20th century
reflects social and political developments in United States history and the role of the US in the
world. Examines topics including gender relations, race relations, urbanization, immigration,
mass communications, higher education, comparative history, public policy, and cultural
export.
His 330. Studies in the History of American Thought
An examination of selected topics in the intellectual history of the United States. May be
repeated for credit with the permission of the instructor.
His 331. American Constitutional and Legal History, 1600-1865.
A survey of the nature and function of law in American society through 1865, including an
assessment of the impact of American space, wars, new people, and new technology.
His 332. American Constitutional and Legal History, 1865-Present.
A survey of the nature and function of law in American society from 1865 to the present,
including an assessment of the impact of American space, wars, new people, and new
technology.
His 333. American Colonial History, 1600-1750.
The chronological survey of the European settlement of North America and the development of
English colonies with special emphasis on the political, social, economic, and cultural
developments.
His 334. The New American Nation, 1750-1815.
The chronological survey of the American Revolution, the War of Independence, the Articles of
Confederation, the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, the establishment of the new
government, and the presidencies of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.
His 335. Toward a More Perfect Union, 1815-1877.
The chronological survey of a critical period in U.S. history that witnessed national expansion and
economic development, the rise of mass political parties and a celebration of democratic culture,
movements for social reform, dispossession of Native Americans, slavery, sectional crises, the
Civil War, and Reconstruction.
His 336. The Search for Order, 1877-1945.
The chronological survey of the period when the United States simultaneously became an urban,
industrial nation and a world power.
His 337. Modern America, 1945-Present.
The chronological survey of the history of the United States from the onset of the Cold War
through its termination, and the profound social changes which marked the nation during these
years. Fall 2000 Syllabus
His 242. The Soviet Union
A study of the events, developments, and personalities that led to the disintegration of tsarist
Russia and the beginnings of a new society which has produced tremendous upheaval,
millenarianism, intense hostility, and incredible brutality.
His 243. Tudor and Stuart England.
An examination of the economic, social, political, and intellectual history of England during the
reigns of the Tudor and Stuart monarchs. Fall 1999
Syllabus
His 244. Studies in Early Modern Europe.
An examination of selected problems in the history of early modern Europe. May be repeated for
credit with the permission of the instructor. Fall 1999
Syllabus: The Age of the Witch Hunts
His 245. Studies in Modern Europe.
A study of selected topics in modern European History. May be repeated for credit with the
permission of the instructor. Offered in Spring Term.
His 246. German History from the Beginnings to World War I.
A survey of events, developments, and personalities that shaped German-speaking Europe from
Roman times to the early 20th century, focusing on the major political organizers: the Franks,
Stauffers, the Hapsburgs, and the Hohenzollerns; on the sociopolitical legacy of the Holy Roman
Empire; on German unification and the "German question" and on the events leading to World
War I.
His 247. German History, 1945-Present.
From ruin to riches to reunification: an examination of the postwar period; of Germany's defeat,
occupation, and division; of the economic miracle and its consequences; of major forces, events,
and developments leading to the second unification; and of Germany's role in Europe.
His 260K The History of the Devil
This course is a survey of perceptions of the devil in Western civilization, from antiquity to the
present. The objective is to place conceptions of the devil in their historical context and to trace
changes in the depiction of the devil in Christian theology, in popular imagination, in literature,
and in art. Topics include: the foundations of the devil in Hebrew and Christian Scriptures and
Apocalyptic literature; the interpretation of the devil by the Church Fathers; learned and popular
images of the devil in the Middle Ages; demonology, witchcraft, and possession in the late Middle
Ages and Early Modern period; Satan's role as "tempter" in the Reformation era; and the
treatment of evil and the devil in the modern world. Winter
2000 Syllabus
His 341. History of the Classical World I.
A survey of ancient history from the Bronze Age to the death of Alexander the Great. Identical to
Classics 341.
His 342. History of the Classical World II.
A survey of ancient history from the death of Alexander the Great to the fall of the Roman
Empire. Identical to Classics 342.
His 343. The Fall of the Roman Empire.
A study of Imperial Rome from the age of the Antonines through the era of barbarian successor
states. Identical to Classics 343.
His 344. The High Middle Ages.
A study of European history from the 11th through the 13th centuries. Winter 2005 Syllabus
His 345. The Renaissance.
A study of the history of the Renaissance, focusing on Italy from the 14th through 16th centuries.
Winter 2006 Syllabus; Fall 2003 Syllabus; Fall
2000 Syllabus
His 346. The Reformation.
A study of European religious history during the period of the late Middle Ages and Reformation.
Winter 2004 Syllabus
His 347. The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment.
A study of early modern European intellectual history, focusing on the Scientific Revolution and
Enlightenment. Winter 1998 Syllabus
His 348. The French Revolution and Napoleon.
An in-depth examination of the turbulent 25-year period that dramatically reshaped concepts of
politics, power, and social relations, polarized contemporary European society, and served as a
model of change ever since.
His 349. Nazi Germany.
A study of the forces and conditions which made it possible for the Hitler movement to seize
power in Germany; of the policies pursued on behalf of and in opposition to National Socialism;
of the war; and of the movement's legacies.
His 350. Florence in the Age of Dante and Petrarch.
Studies in the history and literature of Florence in the 13th and 14th centuries. Taught in Florence
during the Spring Term in alternate years. Identical to English 350. Prerequisite: Either English
112 or English 113 or their equivalents. Web Site
His 352. Genocide and the Holocaust.
An in-depth examination of the ideological underpinnings, implementation, and legacy of the Nazi
effort to exterminate every Jew in Europe. The course will also consider the question of the
uniqueness of the Holocaust in the context of examples of other manifestations of
genocide.
His 360J. Britain in the Age of Empire
This course will combine lectures with discussions of both secondary and
primary sources to explore the history of Britain during the time that it
built , administered, and surrendered its great empire (roughly 1830-1950).
While the focus will be on Britain, our exploration will proceed from a
global perspective. We will seek to understand how the complicated and
changing practice of imperialism shaped the development of Britain and of
the world.
His 263. Latin American History.
A study of the history of political, economic, and
cultural developments of Latin America, including the American and European backgrounds, the
European discovery and conquest, colonial period, independence, and the growth of modern
nations. Satisfies General Degree Requirement IV.C.
His 264. The World Since 1945
. A survey of events and developments throughout
the world from the end of the Second World War to the present. Satisfies General Degree
Requirement IV.C.
His 265. Studies in World History.
An examination of selected topics and themes in
world history. May be repeated for credit with the permission of the instructor.
His 266. History of China.
An introduction to the history of China from ancient
times through the modern era. Satisfies General Degree Requirement IV.C. Fall 2000 Syllabus
His 267. History of Japan.
An introduction to the history of Japan from the
beginning of Japanese civilization through the modern era. Satisfies General Degree Requirement
IV.C.
His 268. History of Modern Science.
This course examines the major developments
in the formation of modern science from the seventeenth century to the present. It focuses on
science as human creative endeavor and examines episodes of scientific discovery, debate, and
controversy to generate consideration and discussion of such issues as the nature of scientific
discovery and the relationship of scientific theories to their social and cultural contexts.
His 360K. History of the Middle East
The Middle East has been and continues to be among the most important regions of the world,
religiously, economically, and politically, especially in terms of its formative effects upon the
contemporary western world. As an introduction to the social, political, religious, and intellectual
history of the Middle East stretching from the pre-Islamic states to the present day, this course
pays particular attention to the following topics: the changing relationships among religion,
political movements, and everyday life, the nature of the Middle Eastern city, the rise of Islamic
art and architecture, the Ottoman period and the Eastern Question, modernization and the
Arab-Israeli conflict. Satisfies General Degree Requirement IV.C.
His 362. Modern China.
An examination of current scholarship on modern and
contemporary China, focusing on topics such as the 1911 Revolution, the Communist Revolution,
and the Cultural Revolution. Satisfies General Degree Requirement IV.C.
His 363. Modern Japan.
This course examines the paradoxical development in
modern Japan that brought the nation both democracy and authoritarianism, international
influence, and military expansionism. Satisfies General Degree Requirement IV.C.
His 364. Traditional China.
An examination of social and intellectual changes in
ancient China by studying Chinese texts (in translation). Satisfies General Degree Requirement
IV.C. Fall 2000 Syllabus
His 366. Studies in Historiography.
An examination of selected topics in the history,
philosophy, and methods of historical investigation. Content may vary. May be repeated for
credit with the permission of the instructor.
His 369. History of Modern India.
A survey of the history of India from its
beginnings to the present.
His 260. Special Topics
New courses offered on a trial basis.
His 360. Special Topics.
New courses offered on a trial basis.
His 370. Directed Study.
One unit. To be arranged with faculty director.
His 371. Historical Research. One unit. A seminar exploring historiographical traditions and methods of historical analysis. Offered every winter term.
His 457. Internship.
To be arranged with adviser and faculty sponsor.
His 471. Independent Study
To be arranged with faculty director.