History 100 - Introduction to History I:
An introduction to the skills and methods of historical study. Each section of the course may differ in content by era, nationality, region, or topic but all sections include common goals and requirements (
click here for individual descriptions). Students will be asked to reason historically, think clearly and analytically, read critically and convey their understanding of change and continuity through clear and concise essays. They will apply the skills learned by writing a critical or comparative book review in which they judge how another historian has applied those skills. Three hours. Offered each term. Staff.
History 101 - Introduction to History II:
A continuation of History 100. This course builds on the skills and understanding developed in History 100 and extends it through more complex reading assignments and a research project in which students fashion their own interpretation of a period or an event. Historical skills are interrelated and cumulative. Sections will vary in content by era, region, nationality or topic (
click here for individual descriptions); students may enroll in any section of the course. Prerequisite: History 100. Three Hours. Offered each term. Staff.
111 - Foundations of the Modern World I:
This course is a survey of history from the Classical era to the end of the 18th century. It explores the development of the principal social, economic, political, religious, and intellectual concepts that underlie today's global society. Emphasis is on the development of European civilization, its interaction with Asia, Africa the Americas, and the Middle East, and its rise to world dominance. The course also develops student's skills in reading and writing, and in historical methodologies: chronology, narrative, analysis, and abstract thinking. Three hours. Staff.
112 - Foundations of the Modern World II:
This course continues the themes of Hist 111 in the 19th and 20th centuries. Emphasis is on the conservative, liberal, radical, industrial and imperialistic forces in the nineteenth century; it includes 20th century topics such as the First and Second World Wars; Communist Revolutions, the Cold War, the collapse of European Imperialism, and contemporary world events. Three hours. Staff.
211 - United States to 1850:
This course emphasizes the political, economic, religious, and intellectual movements of the colonial period which produced the Revolution, the Constitution, and the creation of a successful political system in the Federalist, Jeffersonian, and Jacksonian eras. Three hours. Mr. Scanlon.
212 - United States Since 1850:
This is a continuation of History 211 but may be taken separately. This course focuses upon the sectional crisis of the 1850's, Reconstruction, and the political and social consequences of agricultural and industrial change from the late Nineteenth Century until the present. Three hours. Mr. Scanlon.
226 - Warfare in Antiquity:
Most of Ancient History is military history, and much of Greek and Roman art and literature treats wars, warriors and their impact on society. This course will examine the practice of warfare in the GreekPolis, the Macedonian Kingdoms, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Themes include the technical aspects (logistics, intelligence, strategy, naval warfare and armor), but we will also examine the literary and artistic interpretations of war and the socialogical and psychological aspects. No prior knowledge of military history or Greco-Roman history is expected or required. Same as CLAS 226. Three hours. Mr. Daugherty.
230 - The Ascent of Man:
A seminar on turning points in the cultural evolution of man, as surveyed in the television series by Jacob Bronowski. As Bronowski wrote, Man ascends by discovering the fullness of his own gifts through his understanding of nature and of self. Three hours. January Term. Mr. Porter.
241 - England to 1690:
This course begins with a rapid survey of England's medieval experience and continues with a more detailed analysis of the Tudor and Stuart reigns. Emphasis is on the origins of the English nation and on the Seventeenth-Century Revolution. Prerequisite for students entering before Sept. 2005: Hist 111-112. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Porter.
242 - England Since 1690:
From the Glorious Revolution this course extends the study of England into the modern era. The semester's emphasis turns on the industrial revolution with its eighteenth-century origins, the creation of a working class, and the impact of the empire receiving special attention. The semester ends with Britain's gradual decline in the twentieth century. Prerequisite for students entering before Sept. 2005: Hist 111-112. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Porter.
250 - Women in European History:
Did women have a Renaissance? Have the great events and movements of European history affected women in the same ways as men? Were women too busy giving birth and caring for children and homes to have a role in, or an effect on, European history? In this course we will survey Europe from the Middle Ages to the present to answer these questions and discover women's place in European history. Three Hours. Staff.
251 - Colonial Latin America:
The history of Latin America from 1492 through the 1820s. Beginning with an introduction to the precontact American and Iberian civilizations, this course will analyze: the Spanish and Portuguese conquest and colonization; the major institutions and cultures of Latin America, including the roles and influence of religion and African slavery; Native American resilience; and the struggles behind independence and nation-building in the 1810s-1820s. Three Hours. Alternate years, January Term. Mr. Bergmann.
281 - Islam to the 14th Century:
This courses provides an overview of the development of the Middle East from the birth of Islam to the rise of the Ottoman Empire. It seeks to acquaint students with the political, socio-economic, cultural, and religious forces that shaped the lives of Middle Eastern peoples during this period. Topics include: the life of the Prophet Muhammad; Islamic belief (Sunni and Shi'i) and institutions; the foundation of the Islamic states; the Umayyad and Abbasid Empires; the Mongol invasions; the Crusades. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Fischbach.
282 - The Modern Middle East:
An examination of the Middle East (Egypt and the Arab East, Turkey, Israel, and Iran) from the 16th century to the present. An effort is made to relate recurring upheavals in the area, including conflicts between ethnic-religious groups and economic classes, to structural transformations. Topics include: maturation of the Ottoman and Safavid empires; Western imperialism and colonialism; Middle Eastern nationalism; the Arab-Israeli conflict; the economics and politics of oil; the Islamic revival; and women's history. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Fischbach.
290 - Introduction to East Asia:
An historical and cultural introduction to the societies of China, Japan and Korea. From 1800-present. In addition to political and social developments, it will examine ways in which cultural production - literature, art and film - has expressed and influenced social attitudes. The course will also consider imperialism (Asian and Western) within East Asia, in its cultural, political and economic manifestations; and, the impact and meaning of modernization and globalization in the region. Same as ASTU 290. Offered in alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Munson.
301 - United States Social and Intellectual History to 1865:
A study of the culture of the people of the American colonies and the early republic. Emphasis will be placed on the European origins of American thought as well as on the philosophical and literary developments of antebellum America. Three hours. Every third year. Mr. Malvasi.
302 - United States Social and Intellectual History Since 1865:
A continuation of History 301. A study of the impact of industrialization and urbanization on American life. Philosophical and literary trends are again stressed and related to the two World Wars and the Great Depression. Three hours. Every third year. Mr. Malvasi.
303 - Roman Britain:
(See Classics 303) An interdisciplinary survey of the Roman occupation of the British Isles based on readings of the historical sources in translation, study of modern analyses, and close examination of the archaeological and artistic remains. When taught in England, the course includes frequent visits to museums and Roman and Celtic sites. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Daugherty.
311 - Greek History:
(See Classics 311) A chronological survey of the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of Greek history from the Minoan and Mycenean beginnings to the period of Roman domination. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Daugherty.
312 - Roman History:
(See Classics 312) A chronological survey of the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of Roman History from the foundations to the end of the ancient world. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Daugherty.
319 - Geographical History:
This thematic course illustrates how geographic methods and approaches can further our understanding of past societies and civilizations. To do so, it uses the paradigm of the Atlantic World from 1400-1888. It analyzes the relationships of Western European, West African, and North and South American peoples to the places they inhabited and came to inhabit after 1400, as well as the intraregional, interregional, and transoceanic networks that existed and emerged after contact and colonization. It investigates how both regional and hemispheric geographical attributes affected social and cultural development and contributed to social, cultural, and political changes over time. This multidisciplinary approach results in, as geographer Donald Meinig writes, “a new map of some important features” of our past. Three hours. Alternate years, fall semester. Mr. Bergmann.
321 - The Colonial Period of American History:
This course will emphasize the European background of the American colonies and the story of the settlements in North America during the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Attention will be given to the social and intellectual aspects of colonial life as well as to the developments of colonial government. Speaking-intensive. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Bergmann.
322 - The Revolutionary Period of American History:
A continuation of course 321. The chief subjects of discussion will be the development of British colonial policy, colonial rivalries, the growth of American resistance to the mother country, and the American Revolution. Speaking-intensive. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Bergmann.
323 - The Early Republic, 1789-1824:
The Constitution was only the starting point in the establishment of a national government; equally important were the precedents set by the first generation of men who held office. This course examines the origins of our present governmental system and explores the beginnings of the shift from an agrarian economy to a commercial and industrial one. Speaking-intensive. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Bergmann.
324 - The Age of Jackson:
This course surveys the history of the United States from the election of 1824 to the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846. Primary emphases include the rise of democracy, the growth of the market, and the ferment of social reform; Indian removal and territorial expansion; the Bank War and the Nullification Crisis; the growth of Southern sectionalism and the development of competing definitions of the Republic. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Malvasi.
325 - The Crises of the Union, 1845-1861:
This course surveys the history of the United States from the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846 to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. Primary emphases include the debate over territorial expansion and the spread of slavery; the collapse of the Second American Party System; the general political upheaval of the 1850s; the election of Abraham Lincoln; the secession of the southern states; the formation of the Confederacy; and the outbreak of civil war. Alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Malvasi.
326 - The Civil War and Reconstruction:
This course surveys the history of the United States from the outbreak of Civil War in 1861 to the end of Reconstruction in 1877. Primary emphases include: the military history of the war; the political and social history of the Confederacy and the Union; and the history of Reconstruction in the South. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Malvasi.
327 - The Gilded Age:
This course surveys the history of the United States from the end of Reconstruction in 1877 to the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Primary emphases include the rise of big business and the organization of labor; the growth of cities and the creation of urban politics; the agrarian revolt and the Progressive reform movement; the transformation of American manners and culture; the emergence of the United States as a world power. Three hours. Occasionally. Mr. Malvasi.
328 - The United States in the Twentieth Century:
This course will narrate the changes in modern American economic, social, political, intellectual, and diplomatic realms. Although History 212 is not a prerequisite, it is strongly recommended. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Bergmann or Mr. Malvasi.
332 - The Problem of Slavery:
This course surveys the history of slavery in the Western Hemisphere. Primary emphases include the role of slavery in the colonial expansion of Europe; the emergence of a unique ideology of slavery in the Southern United States; the creation of Afro-Caribbean and African-American cultures that enabled blacks to challenge slavery. Three hours. Occasionally. Mr. Malvasi.
333 - The Antebellum South:
This course surveys the development of Southern society from the founding of Jamestown in 1607 to the outbreak of Civil War in 1861. Discussion will emphasize the origins and expansion of slavery, the rise of the plantation economy, the relations between masters and slaves, the character of Southern religion and thought, and the politics of secession. Three hours. Occasionally. Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Malvasi.
337 - African-American History Since 1865:
A chronological and thematic exploration of African-American history since the Civil War. The course examines and evaluates the legacy of slavery, the nature and evolution of African-American culture and thought, the promise and perils of emancipation, the accomplishments and failures of Reconstruction, the origins and consequences of segregation, the struggle for civil and political rights, and the ongoing effort to create an integrated society. Offered every third year. Three hours. Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Malvasi.
338 - The Black Novel as History:
This course uses fiction to explore the nature and meaning of African American history. Novelists studied will vary. Writers considered in the past have included Charles Chestnutt, James Weldon Johnson, Richard Wright, Chester Himes, Zora Neale Hurston, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Gloria Naylor, Charles Johnson, and Roger Mosley. Three hours. Occasionally. Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Malvasi.
342 - "The Godfather" as History:
Few novels and films have influenced American popular culture as deeply as has "The Godfather." More than a lurid expose of organized crime, "The Godfather" is a tragedy in the classical sense, which unmasks persistent truths about human nature, society, and the history that complexities of modern life obscure. In this course, students will examine "The Godfather" to discern the insights the novel and film offer into such perennial questions as the nature of power, the sources of individual and social corruption, the consequences of sin, the character of the good society, the meaning of virtue, the efficacy of religion, and the relations between traditional culture (Gemeinschaft) and modern society (Gesellschaft). Offered alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Malvasi.
347 - Nineteenth-Century British Empire:
The development of the empire from the Napoleonic Wars to the First World War. Imperial ideology and government; Canadian Confederation; early Australia and New Zealand; problems in the British West Indies; the China trade; the Indian Mutiny; African exploration and the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Reinhardt.
348 - Twentieth-Century British Empire:
The evolution of the British Empire/Commonwealth from the First World War to the present - Canadian nationalism; Federalism and Democracy in Australia; New Zealand socialism; Irish nationalism and the Anglo-Irish Accord; Mahatma Gandhi; Empire by Mandate in the Middle East; the Statute of Westminster; Afrikaner nationalism in South Africa; and the problems of decolonization in the post-World War II era. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Reinhardt.
352 - Victorian England:
Queen Victoria's name has become synonymous with the triumph of bourgeois values in the 19th century. This course will make a close examination of Britain's economic ascendancy, liberal politics, and the "Victorian Frame of Mind." Prerequisite: Hist 111-112. Alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Porter.
361 - Modern Egypt:
Described as the only true nation in the Arab world, Egypt has provided the modern Arab world with cultural and political leadership even as it has preserved its unique identity and historical experience. This course examines such crucial issues in modern Egyptian history (beginning in the mid-eighteenth century) as Egypt's relationship with the great powers, state industrialization, Islamic reformism, Arab nationalism and Arab socialism, Third Worldism, cultural production, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the experiences of ordinary Egyptians. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Fischbach.
365 - The Gulf War:
This course studies the origins and the course of the 1991 Gulf War between Iraq and a coalition of nations headed by the U. S. In addition, it probes a number of ongoing issues raised by it. A central dimension of the course is the study and discussion of issues whose impact extends beyond the immediate context of the Gulf War. These include the role of "weapons of mass destruction" in modern warfare; the morality of war and sanctions; environmental destruction during wartime; human rights; international relations in the post-Cold War era; the role of the media in modern warfare; and the experience of warfare for women and children. Speaking-intensive. Alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Fischbach.
367 - Arab-Israeli Conflict:
At its heart, the Arab-Israeli has revolved around different nationalisms struggling for exclusive control of the same piece of territory, alternatively called Palestine or Israel. This course explores the contending Arab and Zionist claims to the land during the 19th and 20th centuries and discusses the course of the resulting struggle. It also examines by-products of the conflict, including socio-economic, political, and psychological ramifications for Jews and Arabs both in Palestine-Israel and beyond. Speaking-intensive. Alternative years. Three hours. Mr. Fischbach.
371 - Imperial Russia:
The rise and expansion of Russia from early Slavic settlements through the end of the eighteenth century. Includes Kievan Russia; the Muscovite state; the Time of Troubles and the establishment of the Romanov dynasty; Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, the development of autocracy and serfdom, Westernization, and the emergence of Russia as a European power. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Reinhardt.
372 - Modern Russia:
Russian history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Includes the nature of the Tsarist autocracy: Alexander I and Nicholas I; Alexander II and the emancipation of the serfs; Alexander III, Nicholas II and reaction; the causes of the 1917 Revolution: Marxist theory, the Russo-Japanese War, the Revolution of 1905 and the First World War; Lenin's government; Civil War; Stalin and his successors; the post-World War II era and contemporary developments. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Reinhardt.
375 - Royal France:
The growth and development of the French nation from ancient Gaul through the reign of Louis XIV - Charlemagne and the rise of feudalism; the first Capetians; Louis IX, Philip IV, and the foundation of absolute monarch; the Hundred Years' War; Francis I and the French Renaissance; Henry II and the religious civil wars; Henry IV, Richelieu, Mazarin and the consolidation of monarchical power. Louis XIV, the majesty of Versailles and its legacy. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Reinhardt.
376 - Modern France:
The nature of the absolute monarchy in the eighteenth century; Louis XV, Louis XVI, and the Enlightenment; the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras; the Restoration and the Revolution of 1830; Louis-Philippe and the Revolution of 1848; the Second Republic and the Second Empire of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. The Third Republic and the two world wars; the Fourth Republic and its demise; DeGaulle, the Fifth Republic, and contemporary developments. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Reinhardt.
380 - Spain in the Modern Era:
Within a century of its founding, Spain had become the most powerful empire in the West. Two centuries later she was an economic and political backwater. This course surveys Spain's history from its formation as a state through its phase of imperial greatness, its battle between the old regime and liberalism and its twentieth-century against fascism to the present political equilibrium. Primary emphases are on the creation of a Spanish national identity, the continuing role of the Church, Spain's shifting position in the European balance of power, the class struggle, and the search for economic and political visibility. Perquisites: History 111-112 recommended. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Staff.
386 - World War I:
A research seminar on the "Great War." World War I (1914-1919) was a transforming experience in world history. This course will take a close look at the war in general and each student will study one aspect of the war in detail. Prerequisite: HIST 111-112. Offered alternate years. Three hours. Mr. Porter.
387 - Problems in Contemporary Europe, 1900 to the Present:
A survey of selected problems in the history of modern Europe. Special emphasis on the causes and consequences of war, fascism, communism, the Common Market, and Europe's colonial withdrawal. Three hours. Mr. Porter.
391 - Ancient, Mughal, and British India to 1857:
The origins of Indian civilization and classical Hinduism; the Sultanate of Delhi; Akbar the Great, the Mughal Empire and its decline. European penetration; the Portuguese; Anglo-French rivalry and the dominion of the East India Company; British expansion; the nature of the Indian Mutiny and its aftermath. Problems of analysis and interpretation. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Reinhardt.
392 - Modern India, Pakistan and Bangladesh:
The impact of European rule on the subcontinent: the nature of British imperial government; modernization and social change. The rise of Indian nationalism: the Indian National Congress and constitutional developments; the First World War and the Amritsar massacre; Mahatma Gandhi; Muslim separatism, the transfer of power and Partition. The problems of independent South Asian governments, contemporary developments and problems of historiography. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Reinhardt.
394 - Japan:
Starting in the Tokugawa Era (1603-1868), this course will examine Japan's social and philosophical tradition before turning to nation building and Japanese contact with foreign powers. Interwoven is critical analysis of Japanese culture and society with emphasis on the socio-economic situation today. Three hours. Offered alternate years. Mr. Munson.
396 - Modern China, 1800 to 1949:
A survey of the process of modernization. The course will discuss traditional Chinese society, the penetration of Western civilization, and the rise of Chinese nationalism which culminates in the founding of the People's Republic in 1949. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Porter.
397- Modern China, 1949 to the Present:
A close look at the goals, achievements, and problems of China since 1949. Conducted primarily as a seminar, this course examines topics such as education, political structure, the economy, population, and women. Although not a prerequisite, History 446 is strongly recommended. Three hours. Alternate years. Mr. Porter.
401 - Capstone:
A culminating experience in which a history major will integrate, extend and apply knowledge and skills from the students general education and major programs. Enrollment is through a project contract which may include one of the following: student teaching, a study abroad experience of one semester or more in duration, a departmental honors course, a research experience outside of a class, or a significant research project completed in conjunction with a regularly scheduled major course. Students must file with the department chair a
Capstone Proposal Form and a
Capstone Completion Form. Pre-requisites: Senior status or junior status with consent of Chair. Offered each term. 0 hours. Staff.
450 - Internships in History:
Qualified students may combine their classroom knowledge with practical experience in internship placements in government, business, law, museums, research institutes, or other fields. Students will complete a project mutually agreed on by the student, the supervisor, and the instructor. Open to juniors and seniors with permission of the department. Application required; see page 47 of College Catalog for Bassett Internship Program information. Three hours. Staff.
451 - Internships in History:
Open to students who have completed HIST 450 and who wish to continue an internship or arrange a second and different experience. Open to juniors and seniors with permission of the department. Application required; see page 47 of College Catalog for Bassett Internship Program information. Three hours. Staff.
481-482 - Special Topics in History:
These courses focus on historical topics not specifically covered in the general curriculum and are designed to meet the needs of advanced students. Three hours. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Staff.
487-488 - Departmental Honors:
For students enrolled in the Honors Program. The course of study will involve a program of reading and research in an area of history appropriate to the student's interest. On request. Three hours or six hours. Staff.
491-492 - Independent Study:
An independent study under the guidance of a member of the department. At least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and approval by the curriculum committee are required. Three or six hours. Taught on request. Staff.
497-498 - Senior Project:
This individual study program for history majors is designed to give students an introduction to historical bibliography and the techniques of historical research. Conferences and a major research paper will be required. Six hours. Taught on request, if qualified. Staff.
History Courses Offered through the Randolph-Macon Study Abroad Program in England at Wroxton College:
HIST3422- Britain in the Modern Era:
A history of Britain in the 20th century, which will focus on the political, social, economic, and cultural developments which have made contemporary Britain. Three hours.
History Courses offered through the Randolph-Macon Study Abroad Program in France at the Sorbonne:
375 - History of France from the Middle Ages to the XVIII Century:
This course includes two series of lectures. The first, the Historical Evolution of France, offers a study of the origins of French civilization from the Gallo-Roman era to the beginning of the eighteenth century. The aim of the second series of lectures entitled History of Ideas is to present the fundamental traits of French civilization through 1) a study of important French philosophers, 2) an analysis of the evolution of concepts such as civilization, progress, and the philosophy of history, and 3) discussion of the implication of these concepts in France's history from the fifteenth century to the nineteenth century. Three hours. Prerequisites: French 232. Students taking this course may not take French 261. May be counted toward a major in history.
History courses offered through the Randolph-Macon Study Abroad Program in Ireland at the Irish College for the Humanities:
ICHH1201 - Ireland Past and Present:
Through a series of lectures and weekly guided field trips this course charts Irish historyfrom the time of the Boyne Valley settlements in 5000BC through the Celtic era, the coming of Christianity, the Vikings, the Normans and the English, culminating in independence in 1922. In addition, cultural changes will be charted in the context of these historical changes. Much of the teaching takes place at sites of outstanding cultural and historical importance, including Muchross House, Dunberg Fort, Loch a Duin, Gallarus Oratory, Blennerville, Derrynane House, Killarney Cathedral, and the newly excavated Ballycarty Passage Grave. Three hours.
ICHH1301 - Great Figures in Irish History:
The course studies leading figures in Irish history who have had a significant role in shaping the destiny of the country over the past 2000 years. Each figure will be studied in depth and in relationship to the impact they had on their own time and in a broader historical context; course includes visits to important sites associated with the figures. Fall Term. Three hours.
ICH1360 - Women of Ireland:
This course will deal with European and Irish women and will focus on the the historical reasons for women's position in societ today. Topics will include the exclusion of women from history, changing roles in society, education, women in the arts, women in politics, the spiritual lives of women, the women's liberation movement in the 20th century. Specific case studies will include the emigration if Irish women to the United States 1870-1940, the role of nuns in Irish society, and the Irish Constitution. Extensive use will be made of primary source material such as photographs, diaries and illustrations, as well as contemporary newspapers and literature. Spring term. Three hours.
ICHH1390 - The History and Culture of Ireland:
This interdisciplinary course deals with the history of Irish culture., based upon the the effects that are still visible on the landscape. Students study aspects of the unique culture that has formed the Irish character. The term will consist of trips to sites of outstanding historical importance and natural beauty, along with detailed discussions of the highlights of Irish literature, art and history. Three hours.