History (HIST)
The courses offered by the Department of History are designed to make an essential contribution to a liberal education by providing the general student with a comprehensive and integrated knowledge of man's history; to provide the training necessary for more advanced study in history; and to provide the practical knowledge of historical and political developments which is an essential part of the preparation of those students expecting to enter the professions of law, government service, politics, education, and business.
For those interested in teaching history or social studies at the secondary level, see description of B.A. in Social Studies Education in the Education section.
Major Requirements
- A candidate for the B.A. in History must complete thirty (30) semester hours in history, including 102, 103, 205, 206, and 473.
- Of these thirty semester hours, fifteen (15) must be in courses numbered 300 and above. At least one 300-level course must be in U.S. history and at least one 300-level course must be in a subject outside U.S. history.
- Supportive courses required are nine (9) semester hours in political science, and completion of the intermediate level of a foreign language approved by the department.
Departmental Honors
To be admitted to the Departmental Honors Program, a student must meet the general college requirements for honors programs. An honors student will follow a course of study consisting of a minimum of six semester hours of Independent Study in addition to the Seminar in History. An honors student will complete a written and/or an oral presentation to demonstrate mastery of the discipline of history or the discipline of political science.
Minor Requirements
For a minor in History, students must complete 18 hours of History courses which must meet the following requirements:
- At least 9 hours of course work in HIST 102, 103, 205, 206.
- At least 6 hours of courses numbered 300 or above.
- At least 6 hours of U.S. history courses and at least 6 hours of other history courses.
101. World History 1400-1900 (3)
This course provides an introductory survey of world history from the age of Columbus to the twentieth century. It will focus on developments in the civilizations of Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Islamic world, with particular attention to the interaction between nations and cultures through trade, cultural exchange, conquest, and colonization. It will use case studies from different regions and time periods to explore the role of family, the constitution of power, social networks and hierarchies, the importance of religion, the tolerance of racial and ethnic diversity, and the roles of science, commerce, and education in each of these societies.
102. Western Heritage 1300-1815 (3)
This course begins with the late medieval transition to the Reformation era. It then concentrates on the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, which witnessed the division of the unified Western church into numerous denominations, wars of religion, rise of centralized monarchies, early expressions of religious toleration, and the age of reason. Europe's colonial and commercial expansion in this era led to global conflict, development of capitalism, and the early phase of the industrial revolution. The course then views how the French Revolution brought down absolute monarchy and replaced it with Napoleon's "enlightened despotism." The course ends with a survey of Napoleon's expansion and defeat. Offered in the fall.
103. Western Heritage Since 1789 (3)
The course begins with a survey of the era of the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars and moves to the Vienna settlement, which gave Europe a "generation of peace." The nineteenth century was the period during which western nations industrialized, competed for empire, and struggled internally with a rising middle class and then a rising working class. Western culture was shaken by interpretations of life and society inspired by the work of Karl Marx and Charles Darwin. In the last quarter of the century, Germany was becoming the powerful and aggressive nation which would disrupt the twentieth century. World War I, the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, western economic collapse, World War II, the Introduction of nuclear power, the multiplication of communist governments, and superpower arms race are important themes of the twentieth century. Offered in the spring.
205. History of the U.S. to 1877 (3)
A survey of the major developments in the history of the United States from colonial times to 1877. Yearly.
206. History of the U.S. from 1877 (3)
A survey of the major developments in the history of the United States from 1877 to present. Yearly.
207. History of Louisiana (3)
A survey of the history under France, Spain, and the United States. Alternate years.
301. Ancient and Medieval Europe (3)
The course begins with a brief survey of ancient Near Eastern cultures, kingdoms, and empires, including the Hebrews. It then turns to ancient Greece, especially Athens and Sparta to view the evolution of those city-states. After a survey of the expansion of Rome from agricultural villages to the master of the Mediterranean world, the course concentrates on developments in western Europe in the wake of Roman collapse there. The course views some key medieval movements and institutions, such as manorialism, feudalism, monasticism, the papacy, urbanization, and universities. The course ends with a survey of the Italian Renaissance and the transition from medieval to early modern Europe. Offered in the fall.
303. Nineteenth-Century Europe (3)
The 19th-Century was a pivotal time, as people first began to adopt many of the practices and attitudes that have since become "common sense." The course will draw students' attention to the trends and individuals responsible for creating aspects of the modern world. In line with the objectives for the humanity core courses, students will study the various intellectual, artistic, and cultural movements that responded to change and, in turn, helped to create further change. Alternate years beginning Fall 2007.
304. Early Modern European History (3)
This course will consider how the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Age of Discovery, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and other crucial developments of the early modern period prepared the way for the advent of modernity. Alternate years beginning Fall 2008.
307,308W. History of England and Great Britain (3-3)
A general survey of the history of England and the British Empire to the present time. Alternate years.
312. Twentieth-Century United States (3)
The social, economic, and political development of the United States in its role as major world power in the twentieth century. Spring of alternate years.
321,322W. American Social and Intellectual History (3,3)
The evolution of American social institutions and cultural life from the colonial period to the present. The course will focus on the development of various types of American communities and will emphasize changes in American families, religious, and ethnic groups, business and educational organizations, and social structure. Alternate years.
325. History of the Antebellum South (3)
An examination of the South from colonial days through the Civil War with emphasis on the institution of slavery, agriculture, society, and the development of sectionalism. Fall of alternate years.
326S. History of the Modern South (3)
A study of the South from Reconstruction to the present, with emphasis on politics, economics, culture, and race relations. Spring of alternate years.
327. Comparative Empires (3)
A survey of empires and empire-building from the imperial powers of antiquity (such as Persia and Rome) to those of the modern era (such as Britain). The course will address the techniques used to build and administer empires, the effects of empire on the imperialists and on the subjects of imperialism, and the causes of imperial decline. Alternate years beginning Spring 2008.
329. Fascism: Myth and History (3)
This course will consider various approaches to understanding the ideology and implementation of fascism so as to analyze historical examples of fascist regimes and parties. Beyond the expected consideration of National Socialism and Italian Fascism, the course will also evaluate fascist movements created in other European countries during the mid-20th century. Alternate years beginning Spring 2009.
331. Popular Culture in Early Modern Europe (3)
Prerequisite: HIST 102 or consent of instructor. A study of the culture and lifestyle of peasants, artisans, and laborers during the period between the invention of the printing press and the Industrial Revolution. The course will focus on historical methodology, evaluating how historians can find sources to understand the lives of people who left very little evidence about themselves. The course uses case studies based on sources such as Inquisition trials, police and court records, folklore, sermons, pamphlets, iconography, festivals, and civic ritual to approach the beliefs, values, and loyalties of ordinary people.
333. Twentieth-Century Europe (3)
Prerequisite: HIST 103 or permission of instructor. A study of the principal developments of the past century of European history. Themes include the Russian Revolution, the two world wars, the Cold War, the development of modernism and postmodernism, and Europe's relationship with the rest of the world.
334W. Readings in European Women's History (3)
Prerequisite: HIST 102 or 103, or consent of instructor. This course will focus on the principal theories and approaches since the 1970s that have shaped the study of women in history, with a focus on how these contributions apply to European history from medieval to modern times. It will question whether the experiences of women in history were fundamentally different from those of men, and explore the ways in which traditional political, economic, and social histories include, enhance, distort, or neglect the lives of women.
335. Comparative Revolutions (3)
Prerequisite: HIST 101, 102 or 103, or consent of instructor. This course will examine revolutions from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries. Our study includes (but is not limited to) the French Revolution of 1789 and revolutionary events in Russia, China, and Iran in the twentieth century. It will compare and contrast the origins, institutions, and effects of the revolutions considered. It will also analyze the historiography of revolutions, i.e., the differing social, political, intellectual, and cultural interpretations of revolutionary activity.
341. Latin America (3)
A survey from colonial time to the present, with special attention given to developments in the twentieth century.
345W. History of Religion in America (3)
This course will examine various religious ideas, groups, beliefs, and institutions from pre-Columbian America to the present, will explore their impact on society, and will consider the ways in which they have changed.
346. History of Modern France (3)
This course will introduce students to the history of France over the centuries since the Enlightenment, focusing particularly on the development of national identity and political stability in the wake of economic, social, ideological, and cultural changes that transformed the country and its people. Spring of odd numbered years.
395,396. Selected Topics (3-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. A detailed study of areas of history not normally covered in regular history courses. Offered on demand.
400. Internship (1-3)
Prerequisite: Junior standing and approval of departmental faculty. This course will consist of supervised internship with an approved employer and might include such professional projects as engaging in research and writing, creating historical bibliographies, and providing archival of museum services. Offered on demand.
473. Seminar in History (3)
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. The study of historical and political issues and problems in a selected period of history. Members of the class will do extensive reading and research on various aspects of the period selected and will use the research methods best suited to the particular project. On demand.
491-496. Independent Study (1-6)
Students taking History Honors will earn credit with Honors in this course through concentrated study of selected topics. Other students with particular historical interests which cannot be satisfied in regularly listed courses may register for directed study in areas such as Progressivism, Modern India, Society in the 1920’s, American Foreign Policy, the Industrial Revolution in England, and others, subject to faculty approval. May be repeated for credit with different topics. Permission of the department is required. Yearly.
199. Module Studies (3)
Special topics offered during the Module.
Last updated May 23, 2007.