[Fall] [January Term] [Spring]
Fall 2024
Level-I
Introductory Seminars
Introductory Seminars are open only to first-year students. They introduce students to the study of History by focusing on a “slice” of history or a specific event or theme rather than, as in a survey, focusing on a broad sweep of time and space. Each seminar has a different topic, but all explore the fundamental problems of history and the process and practices of “doing history.” Special emphasis is on the analysis of primary sources and critical assessment of historical interpretations. The class size of each Introductory Seminar is small in order to provide ample opportunity for class discussion and attention to writing.
HIST 111: History of Witchcraft
HIST 181: Civil Rights Revolution
Students examine the overthrow of American segregation through several decades of agitation for civil rights. This seminar focuses primarily on the South, though students also discuss northern race relations. Primary accounts from the era constitute the assigned readings. Among the topics covered are the segregated South, Martin Luther King and his critics, the Black Power movement, and the rise of white backlash politics. Offered periodically. Also counts toward race and ethnic studies major and Africa and the African Diaspora and race and ethnic studies concentrations.
HIST 188A: Topical Seminar: Sisters Under the Swastika
HIST 188C: Topical Seminar: Norwegian Immigration to Minnesota
HIST 188D: Topical Seminar: World War I and World War II
Level-I Asian Studies / History
Introductory Seminar
Foundational Surveys
HIST 190–HIST 191, HIST 195, HIST 198–HIST 199 are offered as foundational surveys in European, global, and American history. These courses are open to all students seeking broad historical introductions to Western and non-Western societies. Foundational surveys provide both extensive historical coverage and opportunities for integrative learning. They carry general education credit, as appropriate, in Historical Studies in Western Culture and in Multicultural Studies. They are particularly appropriate for majors seeking background in each world area.
HIST 195: Global: 1500-Present
This survey course challenges students to break out of their European protective shields and “imaginings” and to think globally, while appreciating the contributions of other civilizations that have had such a telling impact on the modern world. Through a rigorous analysis of a list of primary sources and assigned reading, the course examines the significant political, religious, social and economic developments of humankind, and strives for the global perspective. Some historical processes, as one historian aptly stated, are best studied on a global, rather than a single perspective. Offered annually. Also counts toward international relations concentration.
HIST 198: American History to 1865
This course examines the development of American culture and society from the Columbian encounter through the Civil War. Topics include the interaction of Europeans, Africans, and indigenous peoples in early America; the social development of the British colonies; the evolution of American slavery; the Revolution and the Constitution; industrialization, expansion and reform in the 19th century; and the Civil War.
Level-II
Major Seminar
Major seminars (M-sems) are courses designed especially for History Majors in their sophomore year, although other students may enroll as space permits. One M-sem is required for the Major. These seminars focus on skills of analysis, interpretation, argumentation, and expression as practiced in the study of history. Topics and offerings vary by semester. However, a course offered as History 201 is always a topic in ancient history; 210 offerings are in European history, 240 in African, Asian, or Latin American history, and 270 in American history.
HIST 239: Women and Gender in Modern Europe
Students analyze women’s experience and notions of gender in Europe since 1700. Themes include the definition of domestic ideology from the Enlightenment through industrialization to the Victorian period, gendering citizenship in the nation-state, the impact of science and technology on women’s lives and bodies, the development of feminism(s), and women and gender in socialist and fascist regimes. Offered periodically. Counts toward women’s and gender studies major and concentration.
HIST 249: Genealogy & History Workshop
HIST 282: Indigenous West
Other level-II courses focus on a variety of national, period, topical, and area histories. For example, students may explore the histories of Latin America, Africa, and China; of France, Germany, Russia, and Britain; of women in Europe and America; of African-Americans, the history of medicine, and the American environment; of ancient and medieval Europe; and of the European Renaissance and Reformation.
Period and National Histories of the Ancient World
Period, National and Thematic Histories of Europe
HIST 220: Modern Britain
HIST 239: Women and Gender in Modern Europe
Students analyze women’s experience and notions of gender in Europe since 1700. Themes include the definition of domestic ideology from the Enlightenment through industrialization to the Victorian period, gendering citizenship in the nation-state, the impact of science and technology on women’s lives and bodies, the development of feminism(s), and women and gender in socialist and fascist regimes. Offered periodically. Counts toward gender and sexuality studies major and concentration.
Area Courses on Africa, Asia, and Latin America
HIST 250: China – Past & Present
Period and Topical Courses in American History
General
HIST 299: Topics in History: Holocaust – Global Perspective
These courses offer selected surveys in historical studies. Topics depend on instructor. Recent topics have included “Women in Early America,” “U.S.-Latin American Relations,” and “Doing Public History.” May be repeated if topic is different. Offered periodically.
Level-III
Level-III seminars are advanced seminars; they offer a narrower topical focus and deeper emphasis on historical practices and methodologies than courses at level II. Advanced seminars typically provide students with the opportunity for sustained research that draws upon the skills they’ve developed in primary source analysis and historiographical argumentation. These courses are designed for junior and senior History Majors who have completed their required M-sem, although they’re also open, space permitting, to students from related fields who have appropriately developed interests and skills.
General
European History
HIST 320: Seminar: Modern Irish History
May be repeated if topic is different. Offered periodically. Prerequisites for certain offerings.
American History
Africa, Asia, and Latin-American History
HIST 395: Oral History Seminar
The seminar focuses on the theory and practice of oral history. Students learn to conduct, transcribe and incorporate interviews in projects. Students interrogate conceptual issues – the interview as narrative, memory, identity, connections, motivations, and the silences inherent in oral history – and how these relate to gender, religion, and class in multiple global settings. Students learn such practical techniques as how to probe social masks, evaluate oral evidence, and the legalities of releasing interviews. Offered annually. Also counts toward Africa and the African Diaspora concentration.
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January Term 2024
Level-I
Introductory Seminars
Introductory Seminars are open only to first-year students. They introduce students to the study of History by focusing on a “slice” of history or a specific event or theme rather than, as in a survey, focusing on a broad sweep of time and space. Each seminar focuses on a different topic, but all explore the fundamental problems of history and the process and practices of “doing history.” Special emphasis is on the analysis of primary sources and critical assessment of historical interpretations. The class size of each Introductory Seminar is small in order to provide ample opportunity for class discussion and attention to writing.
HIST 188A: Topics in History – US History: Gender, Race, Policing
HIST 188B: Topics in History – History of WWI and WWII
HIST 188C: Topics in History – Global History of Asia: Mongols
HIST 188D: Topics in History – The History of the Chinese in the US
Level-II
Level-II courses focus on a variety of national, period, topical, and area histories. For example, students may explore the histories of Latin America, Africa, and China; of France, Germany, Russia, and Britain; of women in Europe and America, of African-Americans, the history of medicine, and the American environment; of ancient and medieval Europe; and of the European Renaissance and Reformation.
HIST 249: Genealogy & History Workshop
European History
Area Courses on Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Level-III
Spring 2024 –
Level-I
Introductory Seminars
Introductory Seminars are open only to first-year students. They introduce students to the study of History by focusing on a “slice” of history or a specific event or theme rather than, as in a survey, focusing on a broad sweep of time and space. Each seminar has a different topic, but all explore the fundamental problems of history and the process and practices of “doing history.” Special emphasis is on the analysis of primary sources and critical assessment of historical interpretations. The class size of each Introductory Seminar is small in order to provide ample opportunity for class discussion and attention to writing.
HIST 140: Pirates of the Caribbean
HIST 188A: Topics in History – Sisters Under the Swastika
HIST 188B: Topics in History – Arctic Passages
HIST 188C: Topics in History – The 1960s: History/Memories/Legacy
HIST 189: Topics in History – Chinese Family History
Foundational Surveys
Foundational surveys provide overviews of a broad chronological period or geographical area. These courses are open to all students, and are appropriate as both an introduction to the study of History and as background for understanding American, European, or Global history.
HIST 191: Colonialism & Europe: 1492-Present
HIST 199A: America after 1865
HIST 199B: America after 1865
Level-II
Major Seminar
Major seminars (M-sems) are courses designed especially for History Majors in their sophomore year, although other students may enroll as space permits. One M-sem is required for the Major program. These seminars focus on skills of analysis, interpretation, argumentation, and expression as practiced in the study of history. Topics and offerings vary by semester. However, a course offered as History 201 is always a topic in ancient history; 210 offerings are in European history, 240 in non-Western history, and 270 in American history.
HIST 210A: Seminar: Utopia & Terror
HIST 210B: Seminar: Victorian Britain
HIST 224: Making Modern Germany
HIST 231: People & Power in Soviet Russia
HIST 251: Revolutionary China
HIST 291: Intro to African Histo
HIST 299A: Topic: Europe’s Great Migrations
HIST 299B: Topic: South China & Chinese Diaspora
HIST 299C: Topic: US Immigration/Migration History
Other level-II courses focus on a variety of national, period, topical, and area histories. For example, students may explore the histories of Latin America, Africa, and China; of France, Germany, Russia, and Britain; of women in Europe and America; of African-Americans, the history of medicine, and the American environment; of ancient and medieval Europe; and of the European Renaissance and Reformation.
Period and National Histories of the Ancient World
Period, National and Thematic Histories of Europe
Area Courses on Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Period and Topical Courses in American History
Level-III
Level-III seminars are advanced seminars; they offer a narrower topical focus and deeper emphasis on historical practices and methodologies than courses at level II. Advanced seminars typically provide students with the opportunity for sustained research that draws upon the skills they’ve developed in primary source analysis and historiographical argumentation. These courses are designed for junior and senior History Majors who have completed their required M-sem, although they’re also open, space permitting, to students from related fields who have appropriately developed interests and skills.
HIST 370: Seminar: American Revolution
HIST 397: Seminar: Global History of Human Rights