History courses

HIS120HP offers students an introduction to the study of history. The topics of individual sections vary by instructor and semester. After completing this writing-intensive course, students will be able to describe how historical context shapes events and our understanding of events; evaluate the nature and reliability of historical evidence; develop a thesis-based argument using properly cited evidence; demonstrate familiarity with a body of historical knowledge; articulate how faith obliges Christians to pursue historical truth while acknowledging preconceptions, ideologies, and myths; and describe an approach to history based on the belief that God acted through the incarnation to redeem people made in God's image. (4 credits) (Fulfills NWCore Historical Perspectives requirement)

An introduction to the principles and techniques involved in the study of history. This course will include both reflection and practice, consideration of ideas and actual application, through exercises drawing on primary and secondary materials.Prerequisite: HIS101.(2 credits)

(4 credits)(American history) The History of the United States introduces students to the broad contours of American civilization, from native societies and colonial founding to the present and in the context of global events. The course focuses on political, social, economic, religious, and cultural continuity and change in U.S. history. Prerequisite: Historical Perspectives course or permission of instructor.

(4 credits)European/world history) This course traces a basic outline ofEuropean history from the EuropeanMiddle Ages to the modern West. Topics covered include the breakup ofChristendom, the development of modern science, Europe's colonizationoutside its borders, the Atlantic revolutions, and the evolution ofmodern society through the 20th century. Students will learn to work withbasic documents in European history as well as a few significantarguments from historians. The student's primary work will be documentstudies and essays using such documents to test explanations byhistorians. In this way students should be able to express theirunderstanding of primary documents and relevant historian's arguments.Prerequisites: Historical Perspectives course or permission of instructor.

(2 credits)(American history) This course is designed to introduce students to the theory, methods, and practice of history outside the classroom. Students will explore the ways historians research, preserve, and present historical topics to public audiences through museums, archives, interpreters, documentaries, and through electronic media.Prerequisite: HIS150 or permission of instructor.

(2 credits, non-yearly, consult department) A survey of the major events, characters and ideas of the history of Greece from the rise of the Minoans and Mycenaeans through the Roman conquest.Prerequisite: HIS120HP.

(2 credits, non-yearly, consult department) A survey of the major events, characters and ideas of the history of Rome from the origins of the city itself to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.Prerequisite: HIS120HP.

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) A survey of the major events, characters and ideas of the European Renaissance, focusing on the political, social, economic, philosophical, literary and artistic themes of the period. Special attention will be given to Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Machiavelli, Erasmus and more.Prerequisite: HIS120HP.

(2 credits, non-yearly, consult department) A survey of the major events, characters and ideas of the Reformation, with special attention to Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, the Anabaptists, the English Reformation and the Catholic Reformation.Prerequisite: HIS120HP.

A topical and selective study in American history providing the opportunity to focus on a particular era or issue important to the understanding of the American past. Topics will vary according to professor and student interest. Sample topics have included Cold War America, The Sixties, and History of American Women.Prerequisite: HIS101.(2 credits)

A study of selected, issue-oriented topics in both European and world history more generally. Sample topics have included: The Early Middle Ages, The Scottish Highlands and The Millennium in Historic Perspective.Prerequisite: HIS101.(2 credits, non-yearly, consult department)

(4 credits)(American History) This course allows students to investigate broadly a period of history or a historical issue or problem in American history. Students will develop skills necessary to recognize and evaluate the arguments contemporary historians deploy when discussing the topic of the colloquium and to read critically the primary sources related to the topic of the colloquium. Prerequisites: Historical Perspectives course or permission of instructor. Note: May be taken more than once provided a different topic is studied.

(4 credits)(European/world history) This course allows students toinvestigate broadly a period of history or a historical issue or problemin European or world history. Students will develop skills necessary torecognize and evaluate the arguments contemporary historians deploy whendiscussing the topic of the colloquium and to read critically the primarysources related to the topic of the colloquium.Note: May be taken more than once provided a different topic is studied.Prerequisite: Historical Perspectives course or permission of instructor.

(4 credits, non-yearly, consult department)(IGE option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) This course surveys the historical development of American Indian peoples, particularly during the period of contact and conquest by Euro-Americans and particularly in the trans-Mississippi West region of what became the U.S. Topics include pre-contact life, oral literature, Indian accommodation and selective adaptation to Euro-American societies, Spanish, French and U.S. Indian policies, Native American religion, Christian mission work among American Indians, activism by and on behalf of American Indians, and reservation life.

(4 credits, non-yearly, consult department)(American History) A survey of the historical development of American political thought with attention to significant American political thinkers from the colonial period to the present. Special emphasis will be given to the uneasy relationship between liberalism and democracy and the interaction between American political institutions and culture.

(4 credits)(American history) Building on the skills studentsdeveloped in the Colloquium in American history, the Seminar in Americanhistory invites students to do the work of a historian. Seminars focusmore deeply on some period or issue or question, and students will writea significant research paper related to the seminar topic thatdemonstrates advanced familiarity with the historiography and advancedskills at analyzing and using primary sources.Note: This course may be taken more than once provided a different topicis studied.Prerequisite: HIS206 or permission of instructor.

(4 credits)(European/world history) Building on the skills studentsdeveloped in the Colloquium in European / World history, the Seminar inEuropean/World history invites students to do the work of a historian.Seminars focus more deeply on some period or issue or question, andstudents will write a significant research paper related to the seminartopic that demonstrates advanced familiarity with the historiography andadvanced skills at analyzing and using primary sources.Prerequisite: HIS 207 or permission of instructor.

(2 or 4 credits may apply toward the major)

(European/world history) A study of problems relevant to history as a scientific and humanistic discipline. Among the questions considered are the following: What sorts of meaning have philosophers of history ascribed to the overall process of history? What approaches have historians taken to questions of objectivity, causation, and moral values in the study of history? How does philosophy of history relate to the Christian faith? Prerequisite: HIS120HP or an NWCore Belief and Reason (BR) course. (4 credits)

(2 credits)(American or European/world history) The Research Seminar permits students to develop, research, write and defend a major essay of original historical research on a topic of their choice. This course is the culmination of their major and builds on training and writing completed in the earlier history courses. They will work closely with one member of the history department, but the others will contribute to their work by reading and commenting on drafts. The student will defend and discuss their thesis in a public setting.Prerequisite: HIS435.