History
Irwin Halfond, Ph.D., Professor of History; Chair, Division of Humanities;
Patrick A. Folk, Ph.D., Professor of History;
Deneen Professor of Early American History;
Nancy Beck Young, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History;
History is clearly the broadest and most inclusive of all the academic disciplines, since it properly includes the development of all other areas of study. The study of history is a solid preparation for life in an increasingly unpredictable modern world. Its study sharpens abilities to analyze and evaluate information critically, to interpret relationships, to translate ideas into different forms, to apply concepts to varying situations, to synthesize new concepts from given information, and to evaluate alternate courses of action or interpretations of historical data. A history major will also develop strong writing and research capabilities, leading in the senior year to a major original research paper based on primary source materials. History has proven to be an outstanding preparation for successful careers in law, teaching, business, writing, and other fields.
Social Science secondary education students who are interested in procuring a history concentration may pursue a B.S. in History Education. The requirements for this degree include 27 history hours that are prescribed plus an additional 6 upper level hours in history, 3 of which must be in American history and 3 of which must be in either European or world history. This degree, while not as comprehensive as the traditional History B.A., will nevertheless enable the holder to compete for teaching positions outside of the state of Illinois, seek a variety of business and non-profit professional careers in which the traditional liberal arts are valued, and pursue graduate studies in history.
Students seeking the traditional B.A. in history must complete at least 40 hours, with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and all grades better than D in the major. At least 18 credit hours must be completed at the 300 level or above. All history majors must take six hours of European history at the upper division level and six hours of American history at the upper division level. History majors must also complete six semester hours of a single foreign language or equivalent (calculated at two semesters of high school language equal to one semester of college language).
Students seeking a minor in history must complete at least 20 credit hours in
history, at least 12 hours of which must be at the 300 level or above. Required courses include either HIS 161 and 162, or HIS 261 and 262. Students must complete the minor with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and all grades better than D in the minor.
The History Education major may be selected by students interested in teaching at secondary or middle schools as well as by those students who may wish to pursue advanced degrees in History. At least 18 of the 55 required hours in Social Science must be at the 300 level or above. For a course to be accepted towards the major a grade of C- or better is required.
| B.S. HISTORY EDUCATION MAJOR REQUIREMENTS |
55 crs. |
HIS 161
HIS 162
HIS 163
HIS 261
HIS 262
HIS 309
HIS 372
HIS 373
HIS 376
or
HIS 371 |
WORLD CIVILIZATION TO 1450
WORLD CIVILIZATION SINCE 1450
TWENTIETH CENTURY WORLD HISTORY
UNITED STATES HISTORY TO 1865
UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1865
Historical Methods and Regional Inquiry (W)
AMERICAN ECONOMIC HISTORY
HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY
MINORITIES IN THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
U.S. WOMEN’S HISTORY
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(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
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Additional History electives (6)
| SOCIAL SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS |
22crs. |
ANT 149
SOC 150
ECO 212
PSI 101
PSI 102
PSI 210
PSY 153 |
INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
AMERICAN Politics
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
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(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(4)
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| B.A. HISTORY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS |
38 crs. |
HIS 161
HIS 162
HIS 163
HIS 261
HIS 262
HIS 309
HIS 310
HIS 410 |
WORLD CIVILIZATION TO 1450
WORLD CIVILIZATION SINCE 1450
TWENTIETH CENTURY WORLD HISTORY
UNITED STATES HISTORY TO 1865
UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1865
Historical Methods and Regional Inquiry (W)
SEMINAR IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH
SENIOR THESIS IN HISTORY (W)
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(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(1)
(3)
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Additional History electives (18)
Recommended elective courses. The history faculty recommends that students majoring in history consider the following elective courses.
ART 111
or
112
PHI 363
PHI 364
PSI 101
PSI 230
ANT 149 |
SURVEY OF ART HISTORY
HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY: GREEK AND MEDIEVAL
HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY: RENAISSANCE AND MODERN
AMERICAN Politics
Introduction to Political Theory
INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
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(3)
(4)
(4)
(3)
(3)
(3) |
HIS 161 WORLD CIVILIZATION TO 1450 (3)
A comparative survey of early civilizations in Asia, Africa, and Europe from prehistory to the fifteenth century. Annually, Fall.
HIS 162 WORLD CIVILIZATION SINCE 1450 (3)
A comparative survey of world civilization from the fifteenth century to the outbreak of World War I. Annually, Spring.
HIS 163 TWENTIETH CENTURY WORLD HISTORY (3)
A comparative history of world civilizations from World War I to the present. Each semester.
HIS 241 ASIAN CIVILIZATIONS (3)
A general survey of the evolution of Asian civilization from earliest times to the present, with particular attention to developments in India, China, Japan, and the Pacific Rim. As needed.
HIS 242 AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONS (3)
A survey of African history and cultures from prehistory to recent developments in modern Africa.
As needed.
HIS 261 UNITED STATES HISTORY TO 1865 (3)
A survey of American history from prehistory through the Civil War. Every semester.
HIS 262 UNITED STATES HISTORY SINCE 1865 (3)
A survey of American history from the Civil War to the present. Every semester.
HIS 271/371 UNITED STATES WOMEN’S HISTORY (3)
The course examines the way in which women have shaped the American past and the ways in which large historical forces have influenced women’s lives. (Those students taking the course as HIS 371 will be required to write a major research paper, in addition to other required writings. Students may elect to take it at one level, but not both.) Annually, Spring.
HIS 276/376 MINORITIES IN THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE (3)
A survey of minorities in American history, this course will compare and contrast the histories of the various ethnic groups that make up the American population. (Students taking this course as HIS 376 will be required to write a major research paper in addition to other required writings. Students may elect to take this course at one level, but not both.) Annually, Fall.
HIS 277/377 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY (3)
An introduction to the study of African American History, including the history and culture of Western Africa, the Atlantic slave trade, slavery and its effects, as well as the roles, lifestyles, problems and accomplishments of African Americans from the Colonial period until the present. The course will focus on the African American community analyzing major political, social, economic, religious, cultural, and intellectual trends, patterns, and leaders. (Those students taking the course as HIS 377 will be required to write a major research paper, in addition to other required writings. Students may elect to take this course at one level, but not both.) Alternate years, Spring ‘08.
HIS 280-284 TOPICS IN AMERICAN HISTORY (1-3)
Studies in specialized areas of American History. This course will cover topics or areas not included in the regular curriculum. As needed.
HIS 285-289 TOPICS IN WORLD HISTORY (1-3)
This course will be of a topical nature or cover regions or nations not included in the regular curriculum. As needed.
HIS 309 Historical Methods and Regional Inquiry (W) (3)
This course is designed to acquaint students with the various research methodologies used to write about the past. It merges these practical skills with the study of local and regional history. Attention will be given to Illinois history and the study of particular localities. Additionally, the course will consider key regions in the United States: New England and the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, and the West. Students will use the methodological skills gained in the course to write a research paper. Annually, Spring.
HIS 310 SEMINAR IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH (1)
Students will define individual topics for their senior research paper after completing a historiographical
survey on the proposed topic and identifying major research sources available. This course will lead to the writing of a research proposal to be carried-out in HIS 410. Required of all history majors. Annually, Spring.
HIS 311 ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS (W) (3)
A study of the ancient civilizations of the Near East, Greece, and Rome from prehistory to the fall of the Roman Empire. Alternate years, Fall ‘07.
HIS 312 MEDIEVAL HISTORY (W) (3)
A study of the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance with a major emphasis on the analysis of primary source materials. Alternate years, Spring ‘08.
HIS 313 EARLY MODERN EUROPE: 1450-1815 (W) (3)
A study of the development of European civilization from the Renaissance through the Napoleonic Era. Annually, Fall.
HIS 314 MODERN EUROPE: 1815-1945 (W) (3)
A study of European civilization from the Congress of Vienna to 1945. Annually, Spring.
HIS 321 AMERICAN COLONIAL HISTORY (W) (3)
A study of Colonial America from its origins in North American pre-history and European expansion through the English Colonies to about 1770. Prerequisite: HIS 261 or consent of instructor. Alternate years, Fall ‘07.
HIS 322 THE NEW NATION: 1781-1801 (W) (3)
A study of the early development of the United States from the Confederation Period, through the
adoption of the Constitution, to the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams. Prerequisite: HIS 261 or consent of instructor. Alternate years, Fall ‘06.
HIS 323 DIVISION AND REUNION: 1836-1890 (3)
A study of Manifest Destiny, rising sectional tensions, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction Era. Alternate years, Spring ‘07.
HIS 324 THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN AMERICA: 1890-1945 (3)
A study of the emergence of modern America as a major industrial and world power from the end of Reconstruction to the outbreak of World War I. Alternate years, Fall, ‘06.
HIS 326 AMERICA SINCE 1945 (3)
A study of the history of the United States from the end of World War II to the present. Alternate years, Fall ‘07.
HIS 327 REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA: 1763-1783 (W) (3)
A study of the revolutionary period from the Treaty of Paris in 1763 through the repeated crises with Britain, the Revolutionary War, the Treaty of Paris of 1783. Prerequisite: HIS 261 or permission of instructor. Alternate years, Spring ‘08.
HIS 328 THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: 1800-1836 (W) (3)
A study of the development of the United States from the election of Thomas Jefferson through the Jacksonian period. Prerequisite: HIS 261 or permission of instructor. Alternate years, Spring ‘07.
HIS 343 HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA (3)
A survey of Latin American history from precolonial Indian cultures to recent developments in modern Latin America. As needed.
HIS 357 HISTORY OF RUSSIA (W) (4)
A survey of Russian history from prehistory to the Russian Revolution of 1917. As needed.
HIS 358 HISTORY OF THE SOVIET UNION (W) (3)
A history of Russian from the Bolshevik seizure of power until present times. As needed.
HIS 363 HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST (3)
A study of the Middle East from earliest times to the present, with major attention being given to the Islamic era. As needed.
HIS 372 AMERICAN ECONOMIC HISTORY (3)
This course surveys the economic history of the United States from the colonial era to the present. Among the topics to be considered are the mercantile economy of British North America, the economics of slavery, the Industrial Revolution, the cycles of boom and bust, the rise of the service economy in the information age, and the globalization of American economic influence. Annually, Spring.
HIS 373 HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY (3)
This interdisciplinary course explores employs the methodologies of Human Geography and History to study the manner in which place had influenced human development in past societies. The emphasis will be place on North America, but examples from the rest of the world will be studied. Annually, Fall.
HIS 380-84 TOPICS IN AMERICAN HISTORY (1-4)
Studies in specialized areas of American History. This course will cover topics or areas not included in the regular curriculum. As needed.
HIS 385-89 TOPICS IN WORLD HISTORY (1-4)
This course will be of a topical nature or cover regions or nations not included in the regular curriculum. As needed.
HIS 410 SENIOR THESIS IN HISTORY (W) (3)
This course focuses on the writing of a professional quality research paper based on primary source materials. Students will also be involved in a seminar situation requiring scholarly criticism of each other’s papers on a chapter by chapter basis. Completed papers will be presented orally before the campus community. Prerequisite HIS 110 & HIS 310. Required of all history majors. Annually. Fall.
HIS 480 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN HISTORY (1-4)
Individual research in specialized topic areas. Offered only to advanced students on a contractual basis, with consent of history faculty.