History Courses

Sean M. Quinlan, Dept. Chair, Dept. of History (315 Admin. Bldg. 83844-3175; phone 208/885-6253).

Note: In jointly numbered courses, additional projects/assignments are required for graduate credit.

Prerequisite: Two-semester courses in this field may be taken in either order. Students may enroll in second-semester courses without having had the first. Ordinarily six lower-division credits in history are advised for registration in upper-division courses.

Hist 101 History of Civilization (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Social Science, International

Contributions to the modern world. Hist 101: to 1650.

Hist 102 History of Civilization (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Social Science, International

Contributions to the modern world. Hist 102: 1650 to present.

Hist 111 Introduction to U.S. History (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Social Science, American Diversity

Political, diplomatic, economic, social, and cultural history; earliest times to the present. Hist 111: to 1877.

Hist 112 Introduction to U.S. History (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Social Science, American Diversity

Political, diplomatic, economic, social, and cultural history; earliest times to the present. Hist 112: 1877 to present.

Hist 180 Introduction to East Asian History (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Survey of traditional and modern Chinese and Japanese history.

Hist 200 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

Hist 270 Introduction to Greek and Roman Civilization (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Social Science

Same as FLEN 270. Survey of the development of Greek and Roman Civilization, 2000 BC-500 AD.

Hist 290 The Historian's Craft (3 cr)

Introduction to the discipline of history, basic skills for course work and research, and major schools of historical writing.

Hist 315 Comparative African-American Cultures (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity, International

Same as LAS 315. An overview of African American history in the U.S. from the late 19th century to the present; comparisons with the experience of African Americans in other parts of the Americas; study of important personalities and historical forces that have influenced African Americans and the societies in which they live.

Hist 321 Pirates of the Caribbean and Beyond (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

The course will use the study of pirates and privateers to examine two main questions. Firstly, the role of pirates in the construction and collapse of empires from the Roman period to the present day and secondly, the examination of the popular representations of piracy across a similar period.

Hist 328 History of the American West (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

Survey of major developments in the American West, from the Great Plains to the Pacific Ocean and beyond, including racial and ethnic diversity, environment, gender, politics, and economics.

Hist 329 Idaho and the Pacific Northwest (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

Political, economic, social development; earliest times to the present.

Hist 331 The Age of African Empires (3 cr)

Survey of the history of Africa south of the Sahara to 1800.

Hist 340 Modern India, 1757-1947 (3 cr)

Examines three crucial centuries of the world’s largest democracy, focusing upon British rule, Indian reactions to imperialism, emergence of nationalism, science and technological advances, and socio-religious movements. Emphasis on what the categories of "tradition" and "modernity" have meant in the subcontinent and how these are associated with understandings of "knowledge," "community," "culture," "caste," and "science and technology."

Hist 350 The Age of Enlightenment: European Culture & Ideas, 1680-1800 (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Humanities

History of thought, material culture, and mentalities in Enlightenment society; focus upon intersection between science and enlightenment values; new ideas about individualism, democracy, race, and gender.

Hist 357 Women in Pre-Modern European History (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Humanities

Survey of historical experience of women from the Greeks through the 17th century.

Hist 366 Modern European Cultural and Intellectual History, 1880-1980 (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Humanities, International

Evolution of major cultural attitudes and values in modern European society; relation between modernity and cultural modernism; the impact of war and revolution; key ideas and intellectual movements associated with Nietzsche, Freudianism, the avant-garde, existentialism, structuralism, and postmodernism.

Hist 371 History of England (3 cr)

Political, social, economic, and religious development of the British Isles. Hist 371: to 1688.

Hist 372 History of England (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Political, social, economic, and religious development of the British Isles. Hist 372: 1688 to present.

Hist 378 History of Science I: Antiquity to 1700 (3 cr)

Examines the changing nature of scientific thought, institutions, and technological advance from Western antiquity until 1700. Emphasis on the Scientific Revolution and the interrelations between science, culture, and society.

Hist 379 History of Science II: 1700-Present (3 cr)

Examines the changing nature of scientific thought, institutions, and technological advance from 1700 to the present. Emphasis upon the rapid acceleration of scientific knowledge and practice in the global setting – particularly the physical sciences – as well as the strong interconnections between states, institutions, and broader sociocultural factors in the making of scientific knowledge.

Hist 380 Disease and Culture: History of Western Medicine (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Social Science

Survey of Western medicine from Antiquity to the present. Examination of changing theories of disease, the scientific study of the human body, evolution of medical practices and treatment, the institutionalization of medical practice, and the evolution of public health policy. (Alt/yrs)

Prereq: Junior standing or Permission

Hist 382 History of Biology: Conflicts and Controversies (3 cr)

Explores the social and intellectual development of the life sciences as a discipline in Europe and North America, with focus on biology in the 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th centuries. Emphasis on evolutionary thought, heredity, development, social uses of biology, and women and gender. (Alt/yrs)

Prereq: Junior standing or Permission

Hist 388 History of Mathematics (3 cr)

See Math 388.

Hist 395 (s) Themes and Issues in History (3 cr, max 6)

Examines changing themes and issues in the historical discipline; emphasis on approaches and problems in historical research; key focus on research, reading, and writing in the historical field; content will vary according to instructor.

Prereq: Hist 290 or Instructor Permission

Hist J401/J501 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

Gen Ed: Senior Experience

Research papers in U.S., Latin American, ancient, English, or European history.

Prereq: Permission of department

Hist 404 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

Hist J411/J511 Colonial North America (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

Native American societies; Spanish, French, and English colonization; international rivalries.

Hist J412/J512 Revolutionary North America and Early National Period (3 cr)

Era of the American War of Independence; Confederation; Early Nationhood.

Hist 414 (s) History and Film (3 cr, max 6)

Gen Ed: International

The course focuses on the history of the Americas since 1900. Through readings, discussion and film, historical events and individuals are analyzed. Emphasis is placed on themes related to culture, race, gender, and historical memory.

Hist 415 Expanding America (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

Market revolution, territorial expansion, and rising sectionalism, including nineteenth-century wars.

Hist J416/J516 Rise of Modern America (3 cr)

Industrial development, unchecked capitalism, political reform, populism, the progressive era, World War I, and the rise of celebrity culture (sports and Hollywood).

Hist J417/J517 America in Crisis (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

The Depression, the New Deal, World War II, becoming a world power, the Cold War, and defining freedom and democracy for all.

Hist J418/J518 Contemporary America (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

1960’s the age of great dreams, 1970’s disillusionment, Reaganism and a renewed American nationalism, and other topics.

Hist 419 (s) Topics in the American West (3 cr)

Special Topics in the American West.

Hist J420/J520 History of Women in American Society (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

Examination of the roles of women (social, economic, and political) in U.S. history from colonial times to the present.

Hist J424/J524 American Environmental History (3 cr)

History of changing American attitudes and actions toward the environment over three centuries.

Hist J426/J526 Red Earth White Lies: American Indian History 1840-Present (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

Hist 426 same as AIST 426. Survey 1840 to present; dynamics and themes of Indian history with emphasis on Indian-White relations in the U.S. Additional work required for graduate credit.

Hist J430/J530 U.S. Diplomatic History (3 cr)

World power through war and the quest for peace, 1898 to present.

Hist J431/J531 Stolen Continents, The Indian Story: Indian History to 1840 (3 cr)

Gen Ed: American Diversity

Hist 431 same as AIST 431. Survey 1400 to 1840; dynamics and themes of Indian history with emphasis on Indian-White relations in the U.S. Additional work required for graduate credit.

Hist 438 Modern Mexico and the Americas (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Hist 438 same as LAS 438. Survey and analysis of political, economic, social, and cultural aspects from independence to present; emphasis on Iberian and Amerindian legacies, economic development, relations with U.S., and social revolution of 1910-1920.

Hist J439/J539 Modern Latin America (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Hist 439 same as LAS 439. Political, economic, social, and cultural development; search for stability; growth of nationalism.

Hist 440 Social Revolution in Latin America (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Hist 440 same as LAS 440. Analysis and comparison of 20th-century social revolution in selected Latin American countries: Cuba and two others; emphasis on origins of movements for social change, economic development issues, impact of the revolutions, and relations between new governments and the U.S.

Hist 441 Slavery and Freedom in the Americas (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Same as LAS 441. Analysis of the way in which African slavery became the predominant labor force in the Americas from 16th century to 19th century. Emphasis on slave resistance and the international abolitionist movement. (1760s to 1888).

Hist J442/J542 The Medieval Church: Europe in the Early and High Middle Ages (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Humanities

Hist 442 same as RelS 442. Evolution of medieval Christian society from reign of Constantine (c. 300) to pontificate of Innocent III (1215), as expressed in monastic and mendicant orders, crusades, 12th-century Renaissance, and heresy.

Hist J443/J543 The Medieval State: Europe in the High and Late Middle Ages (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Humanities

Hist 443 same as RelS 443. Analysis of how the vitality of particular medieval princes, of the commercial revolution, and of such movements as development of common law was harnessed in the evolution of medieval government from feudalism to the modern state.

Hist J445/J545 Medieval English Constitutional and Legal History: 1066-1485 (3 cr)

The study of the origins and development of English law and the English constitution during the Middle Ages. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Hist J447/J547 The Renaissance (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Humanities

Hist 447 same as RelS 447. Explores the transformative movement known as the European Renaissance. Examines how humanism not only shaped and formed art, music, literature and philosophy but also informed one’s relationship to the state. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Hist J448/J548 The Reformation (3 cr)

Gen Ed: Humanities

Hist 448 same as RelS 448. This course examines the social and economic as well as the theological dynamic of the Reformation. The course begins by examining the thought of Erasmus and More, continuing through that of Luther, Calvin, and Loyola, to the Anabaptists. Religious upheaval lead not only to the political and military upheaval of the Religious Wars, but also to religious debate, the echoes of which resound through to the present. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Hist J449/J549 Tudor-Stuart Britain 1485-1660 (3 cr)

This course examines the brilliance of the 1485-1660 period in British history. It is organized around three themes: the religious revolution and its consequences; the transformation of personal government of dynasties into Parliamentary government; and the cultural, social and economic ramifications that both drove and was driven by these movements. Recommended Preparation: Hist 371. Additional assignment/projects required for graduate credit.

Hist 452 Europe in the Age of the Revolution, 1770-1880 (3 cr)

The social, political, and cultural dimensions of revolutions of 1789, 1830, 1848, and 1870; impact of industrial revolution upon daily life; process of European nation-building; new ideologies of liberalism, socialism, conservatism, and romanticism. Additional work required for graduate credit.

Hist J455/J555 Modern Europe (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

The political, social and economic evolution of Europe, from the Atlantic to the Urals, since the beginning of the 20th century.

Hist 456 Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

The roots and character of European anti-Semitism from the Roman Empire to the Nazis and beyond; special focus on the Third Reich and World War II.

Hist J457/J557 History of the Middle East (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Survey of the Middle East from the beginning of the Islamic period to the present.

Hist J458/J558 Military History (3 cr)

Survey of military history from ancient times to present; emphasis on interrelationship of war, society, and technology.

Hist J460/J560 Conspiracies and Secret Societies in History (3 cr)

The notion that human affairs are shaped by conspiratorial and occult forces bent on the achievement of secret agendas has attained wide currency. The idea that the world is governed by powerful, unseen forces has a long history that this course will explore. Additional work required for graduate credit. Recommended preparation: Hist 101 and 102. (Alt/yrs)

Hist J466/J566 Eastern Europe Since 1774 (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Nationality, nation-building, and dissolution; emphasis on Poland, the Habsburg Empire, and the Balkans.

Hist J467/J567 Russia to 1894 (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Russia from medieval origins to 1894; development of Tsarist autocracy and serfdom; reaction, reform, and rise of the revolutionary movements.

Hist J468/J568 Russia and Soviet Union Since 1894 (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

The last years of Tsarism; revolutions of 1905 and 1917; development of the Soviet Union under Lenin, Stalin, and their successors.

Hist J481/J581 America's Wars in Asia (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Focus on the three wars the United States fought in Asia between 1941 and 1975—the Pacific Theatre of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Emphasis on military, diplomatic, political, and cultural developments. Perspectives from all sides explored. Additional work required for graduate credit. Recommended preparation: Hist 111 and Hist 112. (Alt/yrs)

Hist J482/J582 Japan, 1600 to Present (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Western impact on the political, cultural, and economic fabric of Japanese society.

Hist J484/J584 Modern China, 1840s to Present (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Last century of Qing dynasty, 1911 Revolution and Republican experiment, Revolution of 1949, and People's Republic of China.

Hist J485/J585 Chinese Social and Cultural History (3 cr)

Gen Ed: International

Survey of Chinese culture and traditions during the first millennium. Additional assignment/projects required for graduate credit.

Hist 495 History Senior Seminar (3 cr)

Directed research in primary and secondary sources, culminating in substantial research paper. Course themes and instructor will vary semester to semester.

Prereq: Hist 290 or equivalent

Hist 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Hist 500 Master's Research and Thesis (cr arr)

Hist 501 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

See Hist J401/J501.

Hist 502 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Hist 504 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

Hist 511 Colonial North America (3 cr)

See Hist J411/J511.

Hist 512 Revolutionary North America and Early National Period (3 cr)

See Hist J412/J512.

Hist 514 Colloquium in American History (3 cr)

Intense reading in the historical literature on American society, focusing upon questions of race, gender, class, and geographic region. Emphasis on changing approaches to historical problems, different schools of historical thought, methodological issues, and implementation in the classroom. Content will vary with instructor.

Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of the Instructor

Hist 516 Rise of Modern America (3 cr)

See Hist J416/J516.

Hist 517 America in Crisis (3 cr)

See Hist J417/J517.

Hist 518 Contemporary America (3 cr)

See Hist J418/J518.

Hist 520 History of Women in American Society (3 cr)

See Hist J420/J520.

Hist 522 Colloquium in European History (3 cr)

Intense reading in the historical literature on European society. Emphasis on changing approaches to historical problems, different schools of historical thought, methodological issues, and implementation in the classroom. Content will vary with instructor.

Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of the Instructor

Hist 524 American Environmental History (3 cr)

See Hist J424/J524.

Hist 530 U.S. Diplomatic History (3 cr)

See Hist J430/J530.

Hist 531 Stolen Continents, The Indian Story: Indian History to 1840 (3 cr)

See Hist J431/J531.

Hist 539 Modern Latin America (3 cr)

See Hist J439/J539.

Hist 542 The Medieval Church: Europe in the Early and High Middle Ages (3 cr)

See Hist J442/J542.

Hist 543 The Medieval State: Europe in the High and Late Middle Ages (3 cr)