Courses in History
Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2010 PRINT PAGE
History courses are the basis of liberal arts education. Offerings in this department include United States and world history.
American History
HIS 2053. U.S. to 1865. A survey of the nation's political, economic, social, and military past in the colonial and early national periods through the American Civil War.
HIS 2063. U.S. since 1865. A survey of the nation's political, economic, social, and military past since the American Civil War.
HIS 3033. (WI) Colonial America. The Spanish, French, Dutch, and English in North America. The origin of the colonial governments. Prerequisite: HIS 2053.
HIS 3073. (WI) Early National United States. The development of the United States from 1787 to 1848. Includes the creation of the Constitution and American political traditions, emergencies of market capitalism, early industrialization, and new attitudes towards race, gender roles, and work. Prerequisite: HIS 2053.
HIS 3083. (WI) Civil War and Reconstruction. A study of the political, economic, social, constitutional, and military development of the United States from 18481877. Prerequisites: HIS 2053; HIS 2063.
HIS 3133. Emergence of Modern America. The rise of industrialism and big business, the labor movement, and the beginnings of governmental regulations; the Populist movement; the end of the agricultural frontier; and the beginnings of overseas expansion. Prerequisite: HIS 2063.
HIS 3153. (WI) U.S. 1900 to 1945. An overview of U.S. history in the period focusing on economic crisis, political reform, and cultural change; the roles and experiences of racial minorities, ethnic groups, and women and changes in race and gender; working people and movements for radical social change; the foreign policy and world role of the United States; and the impact of war on society. Prerequisite: HIS 2063.
HIS 3163. (WI) Recent America. An intensive study of the political, social, and economic life of the American people since World War II. Prerequisite: HIS 2063.
HIS 4093, 5093. (WI) Vietnam and the United States. This course examines the history of the relations between the United States and Vietnam. Topics include the cultural, economic, and political background of both countries; the circumstances that led to war; the course of the war; the impact of the war on those who fought and on the civilian populations of both countries; the anti-war movement; responses of other countries to the conflict; and the political, economic, social, cultural, and psychological impact of the war on both countries.
HIS 4213, 5213. (WI) The American West. A survey of western history from the period before European contact with Indians to the present. Topics include the interaction between Europeans and Native Americans in western history, views and myths about the west, roles of racial minorities, western political and cultural patterns, and the historiography of the west.
HIS 4233, 5233. American Foreign Policy. All BSE/Social Sciences majors must enroll in this course in order to verify that they have completed the research paper requirement for their major: completion of this course is a requirement for graduation in the major. Students receive a grade of “CR” or “NC,” and the course is a zero credit-hour course.
HIS 4263, 5263. Arkansas and the Southwest. Designed especially for those who are preparing to teach Arkansas history. The exploration, settlement, and development of Arkansas from 1541 to the present in relation to the nation and the adjacent areas of Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana.
HIS 4283, 5283. American Constitutional Development. (See PSC 3053, 5053.)
HIS 4293, 5293. The Old South. The political, economic, cultural, and social history of the southern states to the Civil War. Prerequisite: HIS 2053.
HIS 4313, 5313. (WI) History of American Labor. An overview of the history of American labor from the colonial period to the present day. Topics include the quality of work life and working conditions; efforts to organize trade unions; the social and cultural experiences of working class neighborhoods and communities; and the political, civic, and educational activities of working people.
HIS 4333, 5333. American Women's History. Examines the history of American women from the colonial era to the present, focusing on women's political organizations and social activism, economic importance, daily lives, and the ideological construction of gender roles.
HIS 4363. Special Topics in American History.
HIS 4713, 5713. Social and Political Thought. (See PSC 3073, 5073.)
World History
HIS 1013. Civilization to 1660. A survey of selected civilizations of the world, focusing on the evolution of ideas, politics, and societies to 1660.
HIS 1023. Civilization since 1660. A survey of selected civilizations of the world focusing on the evolution of ideas, politics, and societies since 1660.
HIS 1043. Civilization since 1660 Honors. A survey of selected civilizations of the world focusing on the evolution of ideas, politics, and societies since 1660.
HIS 3413. Ancient World. The ancient Near East and Rome. A political and cultural history of ancient civilization from its beginning in Egypt and Mesopotamia, through Hellenic and Hellenistic Greece, to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Prerequisite: HIS 1013.
HIS 3443, 5443. Medieval World. A study of the social, cultural, and economic history of the Middle Ages from the end of the Roman Empire to 1500 with emphasis on European affairs. Prerequisite: HIS 1013.
HIS 3463. Renaissance and Reformation. The course is designed to acquaint the student with a double period focusing on the unique cultural and political achievements of the Italian and Northern Renaissance and the profound spiritual revolution of the Protestant reformation. Prerequisite: HIS 1013 or permission of instructor.
HIS 3483. Nineteenth Century Europe. An examination of the political, economic, military, and social development of Europe in the age of Industrialism and Nationalism as well as an indepth study of the origins of the First World War. Particular stress is laid on the histories of Great Britain, France, Germany, and Russia. Prerequisite: HIS 1023.
HIS 3493. Twentieth Century Europe. A study of Europe from the beginning of World War I to the postwar structure of Europe after World War II. The course focuses on the tragedy of the two world wars, the contest between the dictatorships and democracies of Europe, as well as the continued social, political, and economic growth of the European continent. Prerequisite: HIS 1023.
HIS 4473. Special Topics in World History.
HIS 4603, 5603. Tudor and Stuart England. Political, constitutional, social, and economic developments in England, 14851689. Prerequisites: HIS 1013.
HIS 4623, 5623. Modern German History. Survey of German history from Frederick the Great to the Adenauer Chancellorship. Emphasis is on political, economic, and social developments; Germany in the two world wars; the failure of democracy in the 1920's; the National Socialist regime; and the division of Germany. Prerequisite: HIS 1023.
HIS 4643, 5643. French Revolution and Napoleon. The era of revolution and reaction, 1789-1815; its causes and effects. Prerequisite: HIS 1023.
HIS 4653, 5653. Modern Russian History. This course will examine the political and social history of 18th and 19th century Russia, as a background, and then focus on the 20th century.
HIS 4673. Asian Civilizations. A study of the civilizations of India, China, and Japan and the impact of European civilization upon them.
HIS 4683, 5683. The Modern Middle East. This course will provide a bird's eye view of the Ottoman Empire of the 19th century as background, then focus on the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, and Israel of the 20th century. In the process, such current concerns as nationalism, modernization, Islamic Fundamentalism, and Arab-Israeli disputes will be examined in their historical setting.
HIS 4693, 5693. African History. A study of the different civilizations in Africa and the resistance to the imposition of colonial rule on that continent.
HIS 4713, 5713. Social and Political Thought. (See PSC 3073, 5073.)
Seminars
HIS 4803. (WI) Seminar in History. A seminar designed to introduce students to methods and principles of historical research. Participants will research and write a seminar paper on a selected topic. Required of all history (BA) majors. Prerequisites: HIS 1013, 1023, 2053, and 2063.
Other
HIS 4240. Social Sciences Research. All BSE/Social Sciences majors must enroll in this course in order to verify that they have completed the research paper requirement for their major: completion of this course is a requirement for graduation in the major. Students receive a grade of “CR” or “NC,” and the course is a zero credit-hour course.