History Degrees Online

This course provides training in and experience of historical analysis of issues of importance for the understanding of contemporary Britain. It focuses upon the study of British history over the past century, but assumes that British history must be understood in relation to other countries and regions, in particular the Empire/ Commonwealth, Europe and North America. The programme defines history broadly to include economic, social, cultural, political and diplomatic history. It is designed to provide all students with a common core course which surveys the main features of, and issues in, this range of approaches to British history since c.1900.

A second compulsory core course, History in Practice, enables students to discuss major themes in historiography and theory in relation to recent British history, to access and use sources, including documentary, visual and oral sources, and to apply a range of methods including use of IT and oral history.

A third strand allows students to chose a course through which they can specialise either in aspects of British history; Britain’s relationship with other countries or clusters of countries (the Empire/Commonwealth, Europe, the United States); comparisons or contrasts with other countries and regions, studied through such courses as Latin America from Colony to Modernity and American History on Film; or specific themes and approaches to history, such as women’s history, cultural history or the history of the Cold War. Each of these strands is taught over 20 weeks between October and Easter of each year, followed by a period of independent research for a dissertation.

Students also attend the weekly Contemporary British History research seminar at the Institute of Historical Research chaired by Professor Pat Thane and Professor Rodney Lowe at which speakers at the cutting edge of the subject area give papers about their work. A workshop is also normally held at Cumberland Lodge for MA and PhD students, including sessions on the relevance of contemporary history in areas such as policy-making and journalism.

The course is open to both full-time students over one academic year (October-September) and to part-time students over two academic years.

The Department of History offers students the opportunity to better understand the human social condition through the systematic study of the human past. A variety of courses is offered dealing with the history of the United States, Europe, Latin America, and some non-Western areas. The history major not only provides opportunities to serve the avocational interest of the liberal arts student but also provides a foundation for continued work at the graduate level. Courses in history serve the student admirably in fulfilling the tradition of a liberal education. They also provide a solid basis for professional training in such fields as law, business, environmental affairs, historic preservation, public administration, and government.

Art historians develop skills in visual analysis, criticism, research, and writing that enrich life experiences and can lead to a variety of rewarding professional careers.

Unlike the studio BFA degrees at Herron, the art history major parallels a liberal arts program leading to the B.A. degree. Art history majors take 36 credit hours of surveys and seminars in their major field covering at least three of the following areas: ancient, medieval, Renaissance and Baroque, American, world art, modern and contemporary art, and art theory. Majors must take at least 6 credit hours of studio art as well as a variety of core requirement courses in the humanities and sciences, including at least one foreign language.

Art history can lead to a variety of careers, including the traditional professional paths of teaching and museum work as well as art conservation and restoration, historic preservation, architecture, art dealership, auctioneering and collecting, art criticism and journalism, advertising, filmmaking, exhibition design and preparation, historical research and writing, interior and commercial design, librarianship, independent consulting, and publishing. Art history also enriches the life of the practicing artist.

The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:
Possess broad knowledge and some specialized understanding of the diverse historical pasts of America, Europe, and the World;
Understand the basic scientific and humanistic methodology of history as an intellectual discipline including the direct experience of evaluating primary sources and secondary literature;
Demonstrate the ability to read, analyze, and write about historic topics;
Recognize historical analyses of human experience as the basic outlook of modern culture; and
Be equipped to continue historical studies throughout life.
To earn the B.A. with a major in history, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (see Part 8), the College of Arts and Sciences (see Part 4), and those listed below.
IPFW General Education Requirements
Area I—Linguistic and Numerical Foundations Credits: 9
COM 114 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication Cr. 3.
One of the following Credits: 3
ENG W131 - Elementary Composition I Cr. 3.
ENG W140 - Elementary Composition, Honors Cr. 3.
One of the following Credits: 3
MA 153 - Algebra and Trigonometry I Cr. 3.
MA 168 - Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Student Cr. 3.
STAT 125 - Communicating with Statistics Cr. 3.
Area II—Natural and Physical Sciences Credits: 6
See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses
Area III—The Individual, Culture, and Society Credits: 6
See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses
Additional credits in Area III Credits: 3
HIST H105 - American History I Cr. 3.
Area IV—Humanistic Thought Credits: 6
See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses
Area V—Creative and Artistic Expression Credits: 3
See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses
Area VI—Inquiry and Analysis (not in HIST) Credits: 3
See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses
College of Arts and Sciences Requirements
English Writing
HIST H217 - The Nature of History Cr. 3.
(If you have satisfied the second writing course requirement with another approved course prior to becoming a history major at IPFW, the requirement of HIST H217 will be waived.)
Foreign Language
Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part B Credits: 14
Distribution (not in HIST)
Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part C Credits: 9
Cultural Studies
Credits in non-Western culture: Cr. 3
HIST H113 - History of Western Civilization I Cr. 0
(credits included in Major Courses, below)
Core and Concentration (Major) Courses
HIST H105 - American History I Cr. 3.
HIST H106 - American History II Cr. 3.
HIST H113 - History of Western Civilization I Cr. 3.
HIST H114 - History of Western Civilization II Cr. 3.
HIST J495 - Proseminar for History Majors Cr. 3.
Credits in upper-level American history Cr. 6.
Credits in upper-level Western European history* Cr. 6.
Credits in upper-level Other World history* Cr. 6.
Additional credits in history (H217 excluded) Cr. 3.
*HIST H232 may not be used to fulfill the Western European or Other World requirements, but may be used for additional credit toward the major or minor.
General Elective Courses
Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 124.
Total Credits: 124

Credits in art history selected from the following Credits: 18
FINA H111 - Ancient and Medieval Art Cr. 3.
FINA H112 - Renaissance Through Modern Art Cr. 3.
FINA H311 - Art of the Ancient World Cr. 3.
FINA H312 - Art of the Medieval World Cr. 3.
FINA H313 - Art of the Renaissance and Baroque Cr. 3.
FINA H314 - Art of the Modern World Cr. 3.
FINA H411 - 19th Century Art I Cr. 3.
FINA H412 - 19th Century Art II Cr. 3.
FINA H413 - 20th-Century Art: 1900-1924 Cr. 3.
FINA H414 - 20th Century Art: 1925-Present Cr. 3.
FINA H415 - Art of Pre-Columbian America Cr. 3.
FINA H495 - Readings and Research in Art History Cr. 1-4
Total Credits: 18

Accreditation Information :
Pre Requisite Courses :
Qualifying Exams :

Tution Fees :
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The Department of History offers the M.A. degree with either a 30-credit (thesis) or a 36-credit (non-thesis) option. Students must complete a research requirement and a subject matter requirement. A wide range of courses in American, European, and public history are available.

Traditionally, most historians have become teachers. But increasingly, historians are seeking employment in non-teaching fields, including careers in museum, archival, or library work or in tourism and travel. Historical societies provide editorial and administrative openings, and publishing companies hire historians for both sales and editorial services. The history graduate program is designed to provide students with training appropriate to a wide range of professional goals in the field of history.

A minimum of 30 semester hours is required, or 36 semester hours for those electing not to write a thesis or to pursue a concentration in public history. Within these general requirements is a nine-semester-hour research requirement consisting of HIST 614 Research Methods (or a substitution approved by the department) and a combination of seminars and/or thesis hours. The remaining hours are selected from the subject matter courses. Six semester hours may, with approval, be from related disciplines.

Students pursuing the Public History track must complete 36 semester hours as outlined below:
Research requirement
HIST 614 Research Methods (3sh)
HIST 850 Thesis (6sh) or Two seminars (one with a local history focus) (6sh)
HIST 605 Introduction to Public History (3sh) and HIST 606 Topics in Public History* (3sh)
Internship (6sh)
Approved electives (15sh)

*Under special circumstances, another appropriate course in a public history specialization may be substituted for HIST 606.

Failure to consult the department prior to registering for courses may delay the completion of a master’s degree.

HIST 564 Thought and Culture in Modern America

Selected treatment of historical development of modern American movements in social and political thought, religion, philosophy, fine arts, and literature.
HIST 565 History of Black America Since Emancipation

Description and analysis of role of blacks in history of the United States since the Civil War; emphasis on key leaders, major organizations, leading movements, and crucial ideologies of blacks in modern America.
HIST 567 Native American History

An unfamiliar perspective on a familiar tale. This course presents the “new Indian History”—North America from Native American materials and points of view. Identification, analysis, and synthesis of Indian realities and options over time are at the heart of this course.
HIST 569 Women in America

Surveys of religious, legal, political, social, and popular culture perspectives of womanhood in America from colonial times to present.
HIST 572 History of the Early American Working Class

Description and analysis of nature and significance of the U.S. working class in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Work settings and communities of workers will be examined, as well as unions such as the National Labor Union and Knights of Labor.
HIST 573 History of the Modern American Working Class

Description and analysis of the nature and significance of the U.S. working class in the twentieth century. Work settings and strikes will be examined and analyzed, as well as unions such as the United Mine Workers and United Auto Workers and leaders, including Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, and George Meany.
HIST 576 Economic History of United States

Historical development of economic institutions in American life since independence; emphasis on farming, labor, transportation, banking, and manufacturing.
HIST 581 Special Topics in History

Each semester, courses are offered in interest areas which are not part of the regular course offerings.
HIST 591 Film as History

This course deals with the cinema as social, cultural, and intellectual history from its origins to the present day.
HIST 600 Readings in History

Directed readings of historical materials, focused on a general topic.
HIST 601 History Seminar

Area research, culminating in a formal paper.
HIST 605 Introduction to Public History

Introduction to the wide range of activities in which public historians engage. Exploration of theoretical and practical issues associated with historic preservation, historical editing, oral history, the management of archival and manuscript collections, and a variety of other public history activities. Broader conceptual issues associated with the concept of public history also are considered.
HIST 606 Topics in Public History

Focuses on one specific field of public history activity (field varies from semester to semester). Extensive reading in the literature of that field and completion of an appropriate project or paper.
Prerequisite: HI 605
HIST 614 Research Methods

Investigation of library systems, reference works, bibliographies, how to compile a bibliography, organizing research, use of statistics, style systems in printing.
HIST 698 History Internship

With departmental approval, students are attached to local or national government or private agencies doing directive, bibliography, archival, or museum work. Advising professor meets with intern regularly and determines what papers or reports will be required.
HIST 699 Independent Study

Student selects topic for individual study with an instructor.
HIST 850 Thesis

HIST 501 History of Ancient Greece

Will analyze major political, social, economic, and cultural developments in ancient Greek civilization from the Bronze Age to the death of Alexander.
HIST 502 History of Ancient Rome

Will trace Roman history from early Republic to fall of Empire. A study of a civilization from its inception to its collapse.
HIST 503 Medieval Europe l, 400–1000

History of early Medieval Europe, from decline of Rome to beginnings of High Middle Ages; emphasis on political, social, economic, religious, and intellectual developments.
HIST 504 Medieval Europe ll, 1000–1350

History of late Medieval Europe, from High Middle Ages to Renaissance period; emphasis on political, social, economic, religious, and intellectual developments.
HIST 505 Renaissance and Reformation

History of Europe from ca. 1250; rise of commercial city, kings, and pressures on the Christian Church to 1600. Some consideration of technology and voyages.
HIST 506 Early Modern Europe

Greatness of France under Louis XIV; Sweden; Thirty Years’ War; emergence of modern society; French Revolution.
HIST 507 History of Europe, 1815–1914

Study of Europe in nineteenth century, with emphasis on the emergence of major thought patterns, Romanticism, Socialism, and Positivism.
HIST 508 Twentieth-Century Europe

Political, economic, and diplomatic trends of Europe since 1900, with major emphasis on causes and results of war and search for security.
HIST 511 Rise and Fall of Hitler’s Empire

In-depth study of Hitler and the Nazi Order: offers an analysis of nineteenth-century origins of Nazi ideology and intensively analyzes domestic and foreign policy(1920–1945), including Holocaust, Resistance, and the postwar Nuremberg Trials.
HIST 520 History of England to 1688

Survey of growth of English nation, with emphasis on political, social, and economic developments leading to seventeenth-century conflict between Crown and Parliament.
HIST 521 History of England, 1688–present

Survey of growth of England as a democratic constitutional monarchy. Attention directed to colonial America and English-U.S. relations, as well as to imperial expansion and England’s role in the twentieth-century world. Cultural history is included.
HIST 522 French Revolution and Napoleon

Development of the Grand Monarchy, brief sketch of Old Regime, concentration on the Revolution and Empire, with emphasis on politics, diplomacy, and economics. Readings and brief papers.
HIST 524 History of Germany to 1848

Study of evolution of German nation from its prehistoric origins, emphasizing medieval and early modern phases to 1848.
HIST 525 History of Germany, 1849–Present

Study of development of modern Germany from the Revolution of 1848, including imperial, republican, and totalitarian phases, to postwar formation of East and West Germany.
HIST 526 History of Russia

General survey of Russian history, culture, and institutions. Special consideration given to study of historical forces formative of revolution in 1917.
HIST 527 History of Soviet Russia

General survey of contemporary Soviet history, culture, and institutions. Special emphasis given to study of communist theory and its place in current Russian historiography.
HIST 530 History of Islamic Civilization

An approach to learning about non-Western culture; Mohammed, Arabs, Muslims as creators to a great civilization from the rise of Islam to 1800; emphasis on cultural institutions and their interrelationships within the Middle East.
HIST 531 Modern Middle East

Survey of changes that have taken place in the Middle East and in Islam since eighteenth century and of contemporary problems in that region.
HIST 540 Colonial America

Survey of original thirteen states from their inception within the British Empire to 1763, the eve of independence. Attention given to their political development, economic position within the empire, relations with Indians, and evolution of their social, educational, and religious lives.
HIST 541 The American Revolution

Study of United States history from beginnings of revolutionary crisis in 1763 through adoption of the Constitution and the administration of John Adams. Special emphasis is given to the causes and civil war aspects of the revolution and the constitutional-political development of the new nation.
HIST 542 The Early Republic

Survey of United States history from 1783 to 1850, with special attention to constitutional, political, and social trends.
HIST 543 Civil War and Reconstruction

Study of failure of American democracy to cope with issues of mid-nineteenth century, followed by political, economic, military, and social developments during war and reconciliation of North and South.
HIST 546 Recent United States History

Study of political, economic, and cultural changes in American life since 1929; examines roots of social problems facing us today. Some recent foreign policy trends also studied.
HIST 560 History of Pennsylvania

Emphasizes the cultural, economic, political, and social development of our state in various periods from colonial to today. Special attention given to diversity of Pennsylvania’s people and their institutions and problems.
HIST 561 History of American Diplomacy, 1775–1900

Traces foreign relations of United States from independence to emergence as a world power. Topics concentrate on themes of commercial relations, political isolation, expansion, and debate over imperialism.
HIST 562 History of American Diplomacy, 1900–Today

Treats primarily our twentieth-century involvement in world affairs and domestic debate over that involvement. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of interest groups and increasing power of Executive Department over foreign affairs.
HIST 563 Thought and Culture in Early America

Selected topics in early American intellectual and cultural growth, with emphasis on Puritanism, Enlightenment, Cultural Nationalism, and Romantic Movement.

HIST 372 History of the Early American Working Class
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; HIST 195 (nonmajors)
Description and analysis of the nature and significance of the working class of the United States in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The work settings and communities of workers are examined as well as unions such as the National Labor Union and the Knights of Labor.
HIST 373 History of the Modern American Working Class
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; HIST 195 (nonmajors)
Description and analysis of the nature and significance of the working class of the United States in the twenty-first century. Work settings and strikes are examined and analyzed as well as unions such as the United Mine Workers and the United Auto Workers and labor leaders including Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, and George Meany.
HIST 374 History of Organized Crime
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; HIST 195 (nonmajors)
Studies the relationship between urban, entrepreneurial crime and the evolution of industrial America.
HIST 390 History of Women—World Cultures
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; HIST 195 (nonmajors)
Explores religious, legal, political, economic, and mythic dimensions of women in society from ancient to modern times, including Western and non-Western experiences.
HIST 391 Film as History
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; HIST 195 (nonmajors)
Particularly concerned with probing the relationship between cinema and society. History of film is explored and student is given some background in film interpretation and cinematography, the western, science fiction, police films, and great foreign and American detective films.
HIST 394 Introduction to Classical Archaeology
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; HIST 195 (nonmajors)
An introduction to the archaeology of the Classical world. A variety of sites, artifacts, and monuments will be examined with an emphasis on archaeological problems such as the recording and interpretation of archaeological evidence, the relation between historical and archaeological events, and the use and misuse of ancient texts. Attention is given to developments in theory and methodology and to the history of the discipline of Classical Archaeology from antiquity to the present day.
HIST 401 Topics in United States History
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: HIST 200 and junior/senior History, History Pre-Law or Social Studies Education majors or by instructor permission
An upper-division course emphasizing lecture, reading, discussion, and writing on specialized topics relating to historical issues of the United States of America. The theme varies from semester to semester according to the expertise of the faculty member teaching the course.
HIST 402 Topics in European History
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: HIST 200 and junior/senior History, History Pre-Law or Social Studies Education majors or by instructor permission
An upper-division course emphasizing lecture, reading, discussion, and writing on specialized topics relating to European historical issues. The theme varies from semester to semester according to the expertise of the faculty member teaching the course.
HIST 403 Topics in Non-Western History
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: HIST 200 and junior/senior History, History Pre-Law or Social Studies Education majors or by instructor permission
An upper-division course emphasizing lecture, reading, discussion, and writing on specialized topics relating to non-Western historical issues. The theme varies from semester to semester according to the expertise of the faculty member teaching the course.
HIST 404 Topics in Comparative History
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: HIST 200 and junior/senior History, History Pre-Law or Social Studies Education majors or by instructor permission
An upper-division course emphasizing lecture, reading, discussion, and writing on specialized topics relating to comparative historical issues. The theme varies from semester to semester according to the expertise of the faculty member teaching the course.
HIST 480 Senior Seminar
3c-0l-3cr
A regimen of research resulting in a written paper. Work on a program selected by the instructor. For History majors or by instructor’s permission.
HIST 481 Special Studies in History
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Each semester, courses are offered in interest areas that are not part of the regular program. Some examples of courses of this type are the Victorian Age, the History of Love, World War II, the Great Depression, the Adams Chronicles, and the History of New York City. Students may schedule as many of these courses as desired, but two per semester is the usual limit.
HIST 482 Independent Study
var-3-6cr
Prerequisites: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office with 12cr in history; a 3.0 GPA in history classes; permission of a faculty member. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.
Involves directed reading or research for qualified students. Experimental projects and personalized learning are encouraged.
HIST 483 Honors Thesis
var-3-6cr
Prerequisites: History, History Pre-Law, or Social Science Education/History Track major; 3.25 cumulative GPA; 3.5 GPA in History courses, departmental permission. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.
A two-semester sequence of research and writing, culminating in an honors thesis. Honors theses are completed individually under the direction of a department professor who specializes in the student’s area of interest and are approved by a thesis committee comprising the director and two others, one of whom may come from outside the History Department. May be taken twice for a total of 6 cr. Completion of 6 cr of HIST 483 substitutes for HIST 480.
HIST 487 Honors Colloquium in History
3c-0l-3cr
Colloquium emphasizing reading, discussion, and writing on an announced historical topic or theme which varies from semester to semester according to the expertise of the faculty member teaching the course. Open to all Honors College students who have completed HNRC 201 and, with instructor permission, to junior and senior History, History/Pre-law, and Social Studies Education majors who have at least a 3.5 GPA in history classes.
HIST 493 Internship
var-3-12cr
With departmental approval, students are attached to local or national government or private agencies doing directive, bibliographical, archival, or museum work. Advising professor meets with intern regularly and determines what papers or reports are required.