HISTORY

Jacqueline Moore, chair; Light Cummins, Victoria Cummins, Max Grober, Hunt Tooley

Oscar Page (President)

A.J. Carlson and Edward Phillips (Emeriti)

A major consists of a minimum of eight course credit units, at least three of which are at the 50 level or above, and no more than four of which are at the 20 level. This work must include at least one course in each of the following three areas: (1) United States history, (2) European history, and (3) history of Latin America, Africa, Asia, or the Middle East.

A minor in history consists of a minimum of five course credit units with work in at least two of the geographical areas listed above, and at least two course credit units numbered 50 or above. The department recommends that two courses be taken at the 20 level and one course at the 30 to 40 level.

20        World History to 1500

A macrohistorical study of the formative stages of global history, with emphasis on both the Eurasian core civilizations (Europe, Islam, India, China) and the fringe areas (Japan, Africa, and the Americas) to the emergence of European preponderance in the 16th century. (Each fall)

22        History of the United States to 1876

A chronological survey of significant political, social, and economic issues in the history of the United States from the age of European discovery to reconstruction of the nation after the Civil War. (Each fall and spring)

23        History of the United States from 1876 to the Present

A chronological survey of the significant political, social, and economic issues in the history of the United States from the era of reconstruction to the present. (Each fall and spring) 

24        Europe and the Modern World

A chronological and topical examination of Europe's rise to dominance in the modern world beginning with the political, social, and economic changes of the 15th century and ending with the post-World War II era. (Each fall and spring)

25        Survey of Latin American History

A chronological and topical examination of colonial, national period, and 20th century Latin American history with emphasis on concepts and events common to the political, social, and economic development of the region. (Each fall and spring)

26        East Asian Civilization

A survey of the histories of China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Korea, beginning with a description of the nature of traditional societies in those countries, followed by an examination of the social, political, and economic issues in East Asian history since 1800. (Fall 2002)

27        The Middle East Since Muhammad

A survey of Middle Eastern history since the rise of Islam. Examines patterns of Middle Eastern life, Islam and its contributions to Middle Eastern political and social systems, the various political forms which have held sway in the Middle East, expansion of the Ottoman Empire, European incursions into the Middle East more recently, and finally the history of the Middle East since the world wars, a time of independence and change.

35        Women in America

A chronological and topical introduction to the experiences of women in the United States, from the founding of British colonies in North America to the 1990s. Stress is on economic and social change as it affects the roles of women in America. (Spring 2004)

36        Women in Europe

A topical introduction to the history of women in Europe from the later Middle Ages to the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. Emphasis on the individual and social experience of women and their representation in artistic, literary, political, and scientific discourse. (Fall 2003)

40        Topics in History

A study of selected topics for beginning students, offered on an occasional basis. May be repeated when topic varies.

41            Research Practicum in State and Local History

(1/2 course credit unit)

Contracted individual research project on a topic dealing with Texas and/or Grayson County history. Involves research in primary documents under the supervision of the instructor. The student will write a paper for presentation to a state or local historical society. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

45        The Quest for Civil Rights, 1945 to Present

A detailed study of the history of the Civil Rights Movement for African-Americans and other ethnic minorities in America with focus on school desegregation, student and community protest, white backlash, court decisions, government action and inaction, divisions between moderates and radicals, and the causes of disintegration of the various movements, with some attention to busing and affirmative action. (Spring 2004)

53        History of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

A critical appraisal of Mesoamerican and Cuban history, beginning with pre-conquest civilization and emphasizing political and social developments in the 19th and 20th centuries. Prerequisite: History 25 or permission of instructor. (Fall 2003)

54            Andean Nations

A critical examination of the political, economic, and social evolution of the nations of the Andes from discovery to the 1990s. Special consideration of 20th century problems. Prerequisite: History 25 or permission of instructor. (Spring 2003)

57        Latin American Social Revolutions

A critical analysis of the major social upheavals of modern Latin America, investigating causes and results with special attention to the relative importance of socio-economic conditions, ideologies, and personalities on revolutionary uprisings. Prerequisite: History 25 or permission of instructor. (Spring 2004)

60            Advanced Topics in History

A critical examination of history from selected perspectives. May be repeated when topic varies.

61            Medieval Europe

A critical appraisal of the revival of medieval western society, from ca. 1000 A.D., in the context of a tripartite world of Latin Christendom, Islam, and Byzantium, to the mid-15th century. The tensions of involving church and state, evidences of early humanism, and technological development will be emphasized. Prerequisite: History 20 or permission of instructor. (Fall 2002)

62            Renaissance and Reformation

A critical analysis of Europe from the late 13th century through the mid-17th century, with special emphasis on the creation of a middle class laity, the rise of capitalism, the emergent modern state, the visual renaissance in art forms, and the reformation in religious spirit. Prerequisite: History 20 or 24 or permission of instructor. (Spring 2003)

63            Enlightenment and Revolutions

A critical examination of the political, social, and economic life in Europe from the 17th century to the middle of the 19th century. The French Revolution stands at the center of this examination. Other topics will include absolutism, the Enlightenment, Liberalism, the Industrial Revolution, and the spread of participatory politics in Europe. Prerequisite: History 24 or permission of instructor. (Spring 2004)

64            Europe: Dominance and Decline

A critical examination of the political, cultural, and social history of Europe from the mid-19th century to recent times, including the major ideas and trends which define the modern world. Nationalism, imperialism, industrialization, and the two world wars will be central topics. Prerequisite: History 24 or permission of instructor.

69            Directed Study

72            Germany Since Bismarck

A critical examination of German history, which has been an important part of modern European history culturally, economically, and politically. Examines Germany from the period of its founding in the 1860s to the present. Topics include the internal patterns of German life as well as the role of Germany in the life of Europe and the world. Prerequisite: History 24 or permission of instructor. (Fall 2003)

73        Russia and the Soviet Union

A survey and critical analysis of the history of Russia and the Russian Empire from its founding, through the Soviet era to the present post-Communist state. Almost half the course will deal with the period after 1917. Prerequisite: History 24 or permission of instructor.

74            American Colonial History and Revolutionary War Era

A critical examination of the colonial and revolutionary eras of the history of the United States, with special emphasis on the European discovery of America, the colonial foundations of England, the development of the British North American Colonies, and the American Revolution. Prerequisite: History 22 or permission of instructor. (Spring 2004)

77        United States: Civil War and Reconstruction

An in-depth analysis of the causes and consequences of the Civil War and Reconstruction. A detailed examination of the military, political, social, cultural, and constitutional aspects of the struggle, including a full survey of the reconstruction of the South. Prerequisite: History 22 or permission of instructor. (Fall 2003)

78        United States: Gilded Age and Progressive Era

A critical analysis of the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era and examination of the rise of industrial America and the expansion of the federal government's role in daily life. Consideration of such topics as immigration and urbanization, the Populist and Progressive reform movements, the experiences of women and minorities, and the impact of World War I. Prerequisite: History 23 or permission of instructor. (Spring 2003)

79        United States: New Era, New Deal

A critical examination of the 1920s and 1930s focusing on such topics as the origins of the Great Depression and the rise of the welfare state, the transformation of the political party system, and the impact of cultural movements including the Harlem Renaissance and the arrival of the Lost Generation. Includes an examination of the origins of World War II. Prerequisite: History 23 or permission of instructor. (Fall 2003)

81        United States: 1945 to Present

A critical examination of the modern era in America, beginning with an overview of the impact of World War II. Includes the rise and decline of the liberal consensus, the impact of the Cold War, the rise of protest movements in the 1960s and 1970s, the Vietnam War, the resurgence of political conservatism in the 1980s, and the end of the Cold War. Prerequisite: History 23 or permission of instructor. (Fall 2002)  

84        The History of Texas

A critical examination of the history of Texas from the era of European discovery to the present. Includes analysis of the state's ethnohistory, economic growth, political development, and society, with emphasis on relating Texas to the history of the United States. Also examines the impact of Texas on the international arena. Prerequisite: History 22 or 23 or permission of instructor. (Spring 2004)

85        The Spanish Borderlands

A critical analysis of the Spanish experience in those geographical areas of colonial New Spain which are now part of the United States. Examines the Hispanic colonial history of Florida, the Gulf Coast, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and northern Mexico from the beginnings of European colonization to the 19th century. Special emphasis on the Hispanic heritage of these areas of the United States. Prerequisite: History 22 or permission of instructor. (Fall 2002, Fall 2004)

90            Seminar in History

Advanced seminar dealing with a special topic in the history of the United States, Europe, Asia, or Latin America. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be repeated when topic varies.

95, 96            Independent Study

99            Historiography and Historical Methods

A study of the discipline of history and a survey of research methodology as employed by historians. Examines the philosophy of history, provides a survey of research techniques, and affords an introduction to the standard works of historical literature. Geographical and chronological focus may vary according to the interests of the instructor. Prerequisites: junior and senior level history majors, or permission of instructor. (Fall 2002, Fall 2003)