History Degrees Online

IHHIST 111 THE ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL WORLD
Examines the development of first civilizations of the Near East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Americas; ancient Greece and Rome; the growth of the Byzantine, Islamic, and Western civilizations; European imperialism in Africa, the Americas, and Asia; and religious, political, and cultural change in Europe in the early-modern era. Annually.

IHHIST 112 THE MODERN WORLD
Examines the evolution of the major civilizations of the world (Western, Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, sub-Saharan African, and Latin American) from the early-modern era to the present. It focuses upon the revolutionary intellectual, political, and economic changes that occurred during this period and their effects upon the world. Annually.

IHHIST 141 The West in the World
This course will follow the rise and spread of early civilizations from Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China to the political, economic, and cultural foundations of the West in ancient Greece and Rome. Course concludes with an examination of the classical age of Muslim culture during the European Middle Ages. Fall.

IHHIST 161 American Perspectives to 1877
In this course, students will be exposed to a variety of American perspectives through time. Emphasis will be placed on the voices of the traditionally unheard such as the poor, women, African Americans, and American Indians. Issues of class, race, and gender will be explored from a comparative approach.

IHHIST 162 AMERICAN PERSPECTIVES FROM 1877
In this course, students will be exposed to a variety of American perspectives through time. Emphasis will be placed on the voices of the traditionally unheard such as the working poor, women, African Americans, and Native Americans. Issues of class, race, and gender will be explored from a comparative approach. Fall, Spring.

IHHIST 210 “Who Was Ben Franklin?”
Explores identity and power in the British Empire and American Revolution through an examination of Benjamin Franklin’s presentation of self in his autobiography. Additionally, through various biographies, we will consider Franklin as a “self-made man,” as the embodiment of empire, Enlightenment scientist, Revolutionary diplomat, runaway servant, and slave owner.

IHHIST 211 The Worlds of Early America
The years between 1500 and 1750 witnessed numerous encounters and conflicts as American Indians, Africans, and Europeans came into contact with one another for the first time. This course examines the new worlds in early America that resulted from these exchanges. The use of primary sources is emphasized.

IHHIST 212 BECOMING HELEN KELLER
An examination of the life and career of Helen Keller as a path to understanding the meanings of disability in American life. We will read Keller’s autobiography as a starting point for an exploration of what her life has meant in various historical contexts.

HIST 111 TRADITIONAL WORLD CIVILIZATION
A survey of the four major civilizations (Western, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and East Asian) from antiquity to 1500. Provides a generalized view of cultural, political, economic, and religious evolution. Fall.

HIST 112 MODERN WORLD CIVILIZATION
A survey of the four major civilizations (Western, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and East Asian) from the beginning of European world dominance (1500) to the emergence of the modern world. Provides a generalized view of cultural, political, economic, and religious evolution. Spring.

HIST 121 TRADITIONAL CIVILIZATION OF EAST ASIA
A survey of China and Japan from antiquity to approximately 1800. Establishes a broad picture of cultural values, social structures, and political institutions. Attempts to convey a sense of how both the common people and the elite lived. Spring.

HIST 122 MODERN EAST ASIA
A sequel to HIST 121. A survey of Chinese and Japanese experiences with modernization from the beginning of the 19th century to the present. The theme of revolution provides focus for the study of China. In the case of Japan, the main emphasis is on its rapid adaptation to the modern world. Fall.

HIST 141 WESTERN CIVILIZATION I: ORIGINS TO 1500
An introduction to the crucial ideas, institutions, and events of the formative centuries of Western civilization, from Moses and Machiavelli to the Parthenon and St. Peter’s. Fall.

HIST 142 WESTERN CIVILIZATION II: 1500 TO PRESENT
The revolutionary modern era is examined, from Luther’s dissent to contemporary student protest. Important landmarks include the birth of modern science; the Enlightenment; political revolutions in England, North America, France, and Russia; industrialization; and the tragedies and triumphs of the 20th century. Fall, Spring.

HIST 161 TOPICS IN UNITED STATES HISTORY I
A systematic introduction to U.S. history before 1877, emphasizing major topics within a chronological framework. Topics vary with each instructor, but always include Puritan and plantation colonies, formation of the United States, slavery and abolition, foreign relations and territorial expansion, the rise of mass politics, and the Civil War and Reconstruction. Not open to juniors and seniors except by permission. Fall, Spring.

HIST 162 TOPICS IN UNITED STATES HISTORY II
A systematic introduction to United States history since 1865, emphasizing major topics within a chronological framework. Topics vary with each instructor, but always include: industrialization and labor, immigration, the growth of cities, nativism and extremism, segregation, civil rights, centralization of American life, and the rise of the United States as a world power. Not open to juniors and seniors except by permission. Fall, Spring.

HIST 200 READING AND WRITING IN HISTORY
An introduction to various ways of reading and interpreting historical documents and to the major forms of historical writing. This course is intended to prepare students for advanced course work. HIST 200 must be taken prior to completing 13 credits in History. Fall, Spring.

HIST 252 THE HOLOCAUST
Examines the genocide and mass murder committed by the Nazi regime during 1939-45. Also surveys long- and short-term factors, including World War I and Germany’s failed postwar democratic experiment, that help explain the consolidation of a racially based totalitarian regime. Cross-listed as HOLO 252. Spring.

HIST 253 THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Examines the origins and outbreak of WWII, the course of the war in Europe and the Pacific, the complexity of military priorities and operations, the evolution of mass murder in Nazi-occupied Europe, and the war’s social and political impact.

HIST 261 U.S. SOCIAL HISTORY I: 1603-1865
Evolution of American institutions, including the family, social classes, work, economic relationships, roles of the sexes, churches, child rearing, education, and governments, from colonial origins to the mid-19th century. Not open to students who have completed HIST 161 with a passing grade. Fall.

HIST 262 U.S. SOCIAL HISTORY II: 1865 TO PRESENT
A continuation of HIST 261 for the late 19th and 20th centuries. Elements examined: the social consequences of industrialization and urbanization; the development of the public school system; the roles of corporations, labor unions, and professional organizations; and the changing roles of the sexes and governments. Not open to students who have completed HIST 162 with a passing grade. Spring.

HIST 265 MILITARY IN U.S. SOCIETY I
A social history of war, peace, and the military in America from the Colonial period through the Civil War. Surveys the development of U.S. military institutions, the nation’s wartime experiences, and how the military reflected American society and culture.

HIST 266 MILITARY IN U.S. SOCIETY II
A social history of the U.S. military from Reconstruction to the present. Focuses on the social composition of the military, the growth of federal power, American attitudes toward war and peace, and the development of modern warfare.

HIST 269 WOMEN IN MODERN AMERICA
Course describes women from the late-19th century to today. Themes include women and power, gender division of labor, women and family, and life cycles. Topics include women in unions, women’s suffrage fights, and women in world wars and in modern rights movements.

HIST 290 SPECIAL TOPICS
1-4 credits
Study of a selected topic in History. May be repeated as topics change. Fall, Spring.

HIST 291 WORLD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
A historical, literary, and philosophical introduction to the Hebrew Bible, one of the most important and influential texts in the history of world civilization. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between rhetoric and theology in the Bible. Fall, Spring.

HIST 321 LATE IMPERIAL CHINA
The relationship between the Chinese polity and society in the late imperial period (Ming and Qing dynasties, from the 14th century to 1911). Topics include the family system, important socioeconomic changes, and the persistence of traditional culture, thought and institutions into modern times.

HIST 322 THE CHINESE REVOLUTION
China’s revolutionary transformation in the 20th century. Includes the social and political origins of revolution, the Communist movement and rise of Mao, defeat of Nationalists, and the creation of the People’s Republic and its principal domestic and foreign policies to the present.

HIST 324 MODERN JAPAN
From the Tokugawa period to the present, this course traces Japan’s transition from a feudal to an industrial society, the decline of the Samurai class and the rise of cities, merchants, and urban culture; the Meiji Restoration and political reform; imperialist expansion; war; American occupation; and postwar changes contributing to Japan’s “miraculous” economic growth. Spring.

HIST 330 ANCIENT CIVILIZATION
The dawn of civilization: ancient Mesopotamia – life in the valley of the two rivers; ancient Egypt – civilization in the Nile Valley; the smaller kingdoms of the Hittites, Phoenicians, and Hebrews; the growth of the empire – Assyria and Persia. Selected cultural, economic, and political developments are studied. Fall.

HIST 332 GREECE IN THE CLASSICAL AGE
The evolution of Greek classical civilization from the Mycenaean origins through the Hellenistic age. The significance of the Polis is brought out by detailed examination of Athens and Sparta. Intellectual and cultural contributions of classical Greece. Fall.

HIST 336 THE MEDIEVAL WORLD: 400-1500
Europe and the Byzantine and Islamic worlds from the collapse of the western Roman Empire to the discovery of America by Columbus. Feudalism, manorialism, the role of the Church, the rise of the nation-state, the growth of cities, the revival of the economy, and the development of technology. Spring.

HIST 337 EUROPE: 1400-1600
The events of the 15th and 16th centuries laid the foundations of the modern western world, from the Renaissance and the print revolution to war with the Turks in the East and the conquest of American natives in the West and the Reformation and religious war.

HIST 338 EUROPEAN ENCOUNTERS IN THE NEW WORLD
This course will examine the interactions of Europeans with the climate, cultures, and peoples of the Americas from 1492 to 1800. Special attention will be given to questions about how discovery and conquest shaped Europeans’ images of themselves and their own cultures. Occasionally.

HIST 339 THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
This course will explore central themes of the period in European history known as the Enlightenment (1650-1800), such as race, gender, religious tolerance, materialism, and political engagement. Students will explore these themes in writing assignments and class presentations based on close readings of primary and secondary sources. Occasionally.

HIST 340 THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND THE NAPOLEONIC EMPIRE
Covers in detail the causes, progress, and consequences of the French Revolution and the rise and fall of the Napoleonic Empire. Fall.

HIST 341 EUROPE FROM WATERLOO TO VERSAILLES
Examines the post-Napoleonic restoration; the forces of nationalism, liberalism, and imperialism; and the origins of World War I. Spring.

HIST 342 EUROPE 1918-1945
The history of Europe from the Versailles treaty to the end of World War II, with special attention given to the rise of Fascism in Germany and Italy and the political and diplomatic events of World War II. Spring.

HIST 343 EUROPE SINCE 1945
Political, diplomatic, and economic developments in Europe, notably in the major countries of Western Europe. Fall.

HIST 349 FRANCE SINCE 1815
History of post-Napoleonic France, including the Restoration and the beginnings of Republicanism and its evolution during the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Republics. Spring.

HIST 351 19TH-CENTURY GERMANY
After reviewing the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, this course examines the impact on Germany of the French Revolution, the role of philosophy in Germany’s development, the policies of Metternich, Bismarck’s role in German unification, and the origins of WWI. Prerequisite: HIST 142. Fall.

HIST 352 20TH-CENTURY GERMANY
World War I and its impact on Germany’s Weimar Republic, the rise of National Socialism and Hitler’s seizure of power, the Nazi racial state and Holocaust, World War II, and the influence of the cold war on Germany’s postwar development. Prerequisite: HIST 142. Not open to students who have taken HIST 353. Spring.

HIST 353 NAZI GERMANY AND THE HOLOCAUST
Examines the Nazi rise to power during the Weimar Republic, the consolidation of totalitarian rule, the transformation of racial ideology into policy, Hitler’s foreign policy as prelude to war, World War II, and the Holocaust. Cross-listed as HOLO 353. Prerequisite: HIST 142. Spring, even years.

HIST 356 READINGS IN THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Examines selected topics in the development of scientific thought and philosophy of science. Fall.

HIST 360 THE AMERICAN COLONIES TO 1763
Examines the foundation of the American colonies and the economic, social, and political problems besetting them from their establishment to the close of the Great War for Empire, 1763. Fall.

HIST 361 THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Examines the causes of the conflicts of 1763 to 1783, the nature of the Revolution, the Confederation years, the establishment of the Constitution and changes to 1789. Spring.

HIST 362 THE EARLY AMERICAN REPUBLIC 1789-1850
Examines political, social, economic, and cultural developments as well as changes in material culture from the establishment of the federal government to the Compromise of 1850. Fall.

HIST 363 THE UNITED STATES IN THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD: 1850-1876
Examines the coming of the Civil War, the secession crisis, the war itself, and Reconstruction. Prerequisite: Not open to freshmen without permission of instructor. Fall.

HIST 364 19TH-CENTURY AMERICA
Examines selected aspects of the century’s major developments; topics include, among others, immigration, the political economy of the Civil War, the rise of labor, elections and politics, and the Populist movement. Spring.

HIST 365 GILDED AGE AND PROGRESSIVE ERA AMERICA
Examines social, economic, and political aspects of U.S. history from 1877 to 1920. Topics include industrialization, immigration, politics, Populism, progressivism, and World War I. Prerequisite: Not open to freshmen without permission of instructor. Spring.

HIST 366 U.S. IN CRISIS: 1920-1950
Special attention is given to the turbulent ’20s and market crash, the anxieties of the ’30s and governmental response, the U.S. role in World War II and home front repercussions for women and Japanese Americans, and postwar traumas of bomb, cold war, and domestic readjustment. Prerequisite: HIST 162 or HIST 262, or permission of instructor. Fall.

HIST 367 MODERN AMERICA: 1950-PRESENT
Describes United States in the modern age of Cold War and fears of domestic subversion, domestic reform upheavals of blacks, students, women in 1960s and 1970s; major changes for economy and labor. Prerequisite: HIST 162 or HIST 262, or permission of the instructor. Spring.

HIST 390 STUDIES IN HISTORY
1-4 credits
Examines a selected subject or theme in history at an intermediate level. May be repeated as subjects or themes change. Fall, Spring.

HIST 393 TOPICS IN HISTORY OF IDEAS
Examines a selected topic in intellectual history, cultural history, or history of philosophy. Readings are drawn from primary sources. May be repeated as topics change. Prerequisite: One course in History or permission of instructor. Cross-listed as PHIL 393. Fall, Spring.

HIST 490 ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS
1-4 credits
Study of a selected topic in History at an advanced level. May be repeated as topics change. Fall, Spring.

HIST 495 SEMINAR
Discussion of problems and issues in History. May be repeated as seminar topics change. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Fall, Spring.

HIST 497 HISTORY INTERNSHIP
1-4 credits
Students research, organize, and write about historical materials in cooperation with historical societies, archives, museums, historical restoration projects, and other groups or agencies. The History Internship Committee, in consultation with the dean for Arts and Humanities, determines the credit value. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Fall, Spring.

HIST 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY
1-8 credits
Intensive study of an issue, problem, or topic. Offered as independent study if proposed by the student or as directed study if designed by the faculty member. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Fall, Spring.

HIST 101
Clionautics: An Introduction to Doing History
An introduction to the practical skills of doing history aimed at freshmen and sophomores planning to major in history and others seriously interested in learning how to navigate the waters of historical study. Emphasis is on acquiring the techniques current historians use to research into the past, making sense of their findings, and presenting them to others in a variety of media. Using materials appropriate to a theme that changes from year to year, students will discover how to do a thorough bibliographical search of all major genres of historical works, to find and interpret primary sources, and master the basic historical essay. Units: 6.

HIST 110
The Emergence of the Modern World
An introduction to world history from 500 to 1750. Attention to global change through the emergence of world systems, as well as the development of worldwide commercial and colonial empires. Thematic focus on the nature of cross-cultural relations and the dynamics of power and resistance. Special emphasis on analysis of documents and historical interpretations. (G&C or E) Units: 6.

HIST 115
The Modern World
An introductory examination of the development of modern global civilization from the end of the 18th century to the early 21st century, surveying the final modernization of the West through successive waves of political, industrial, and social revolutions and exploring the worldwide reaction to the spread of modern mass society brought about by Western efforts at global domination. Special emphasis on analysis of documents and historical interpretations. (G&C or E) Units: 6.

HIST 130
Colonies to Republic: British North America, 1607-1789
A survey of North American history from the arrival of the first European voyagers through establishment of the Republic in 1789. Emphasis on the major political, intellectual, social, and economic changes of the period and on the nature of historical inquiry and analysis. (NA) Units: 6.

HIST 131
Republic to Nation: The United States, 1789-1896
A study of the major social, political, economic, and intellectual developments in American society from 1789 through 1896. Topics include the industrialization of the economy, the diversification of the population, the democratization of American politics, and the evolution of an American character. (NA) Units: 6.

HIST 132
Nation in a Modern World: The United States, 1896-Present
An examination of reform, dissent, and protest in the United States as it passed through eras of economic transformation, social crises, technological revolution, and international confrontation. Emphasis on domestic history, including the reforms of the Progressive-Great Depression eras, the Civil Rights Movement, and civil protest during the Vietnam period. (NA) Units: 6.

HIST 135
American Indian History: Pre-Contact to 1830
An introductory survey exploring American Indian history from the period preceding contact with African and Europeans to the era of removal. Focuses on the social, cultural, political and economic diversity of native peoples and their experiences with European colonialism. Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 135.

HIST 140
Gender and Feminism in Historical Perspective
A comparative world history of both gender relations and the emergence of a feminist consciousness within the past 500 years. Case studies drawn from different regions of the world will precede the examination of the emergence of a global feminism in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Topics will include the social roles of men and women, ideas about masculinity and femininity, understandings of sexual orientation, forms of systematic subordination, and the politics of modern feminisms. (G&C) Units: 6. Also listed as: Gender Studies 110.

HIST 145
Introduction to the Middle East
Provides an introduction to the history, geography and politics of the Middle East. General themes include the historical timeline, geographic characteristics, and political systems of the region. Additionally, students will pair primary source materials with traditional secondary texts to study specific thematic components such as terrorism, religion, and gender. Units: 6.

HIST 150
Stuart England, 1603-1715
This course explores the causes and impact of the English Civil War, the effect of the Restoration, the Glorious Revolution, and the path to the Hanoverian Succession. The economics, politics, religion, social history, and cultural aspects of the period are also studied. Visits to museums and buildings of the period are included. (E) Offered at the London Centre. Units: 6.

HIST 160
Traditional East Asian Civilization, 1800 B.C.-1600
An introductory survey of East Asia from the dawn of indigenous civilization to the 16th century. Focus on the growth of a Sinitic center and its interaction with the sedentary and nomadic peoples on its Inner Asian and Pacific rims. Emphasis on the diverse peoples and societies of the area and the historical processes that bound them together through a common tradition. (G&C) Units: 6. Also listed as: East Asian Studies 140, Ethnic Studies 121.

HIST 165
Modern East Asian Civilization, 1600-1990
An introductory survey of the modern history of East Asia, examining the efforts of traditional states, particularly China and Japan, to respond to Western intrusion into the region after 1600. Focus on social and cultural problems created by attempts to modernize yet defend tradition and on the differing results of Chinese and Japanese approaches. (G&C) Units: 6. Also listed as: East Asian Studies 150.

HIST 178
Colonial Latin American History
An introduction to the creation and rule of Colonial Latin America between the 15th and 19th centuries. Emphasis is on the patterns of conquest and cultural encounter, mechanisms of colonial rule, interaction between ethnic groups, and the cultural impact of the colonial experience upon Latin America’s peoples. (G&C) Units: 6.

HIST 179
Modern Latin American History, 1821-Present
An introduction to Latin America, from 1821 to the present. Focus is placed on new nations as they struggle to create themselves, and weather the challenges of external influence. Emphasis on how Latin America has developed ethnically, politically, and economically and how these factors affect its position in the world today. (G&C) Units: 6.

HIST 180
Survey of Greek History
A study of ancient Greek history from the Bronze Age to 146 B.C. Emphasis on the rise and fall of the Greek city-state as a political, societal, and cultural model. Readings include the historians Herodotus and Thucydides. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: Classics 150.

HIST 185
Survey of Roman History
A study of the history of Rome from its origins through the Republic and Empire to 410 A.D. Emphasis on political and cultural developments and the acquisition of empire. Readings may include Livy, Tacitus, Suetonius, and the Historia Augusta. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: Classics 160.

HIST 190
Tutorial Studies in History
A reading program, specially designed and implemented in consultation with an instructor. Writing is required. Students must consult in advance with the member of the department with whom they wish to work. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

HIST 195
Internship in History
An opportunity for students to gain experience in public history. Students might work for a museum, historic site, government agency or archive, including the Lawrence University Archives. Arranged under the direction of an instructor in the department in accordance with the guidelines for academic internships as stated in the course catalog. Units: Variable.

HIST 199
Independent Study in History
A research project organized in consultation with an instructor, culminating in a major research paper. Students must consult in advance (preferably during spring registration) with the member of the department with whom they wish to work. Students considering an honors project should register for this course. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

HIST 200
American Experiences: An Introduction to American Studies
This course will introduce students to a pioneering interdisciplinary field. American Studies employs the disciplines of history, literature, politics, religion, art, music, film, and architecture, among others, to integrate a host of American experiences, examining “America” as a place, a nation, a symbol, a stereotype, and a culture. (NA) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above

HIST 205
Cross-Cultural Contacts in the Early Modern World
Examines contacts among various peoples between 1350 and 1750. Focus on cultural or ethnic identity, the role of power in relations between groups, and theoretical problems involved in such study. Examples include ancient and medieval cultural contacts, European settlement in North and South America, the African slave trade, and contacts among the peoples of Southeast Asia, India, China, and Japan. (G&C) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 230
Slaves and Barbarians in Antiquity
An examination of the cultural role of slaves and barbarians in the societies of ancient Greece and Rome. Topics to be considered include: representations in literature and art; legal and social status; and issues of labor, war, and trade. Emphasis on questions of power, identity, and assumptions of cultural superiority. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: Classics 320. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

HIST 235
Periclean Athens
A study of the history of Athens from the end of the Persian Wars to the execution of Socrates (479 to 399 B.C.). A wide range of material and topics will be considered: social and political developments, warfare, empire, diplomacy, intellectual and cultural life. Emphasis on the revolution in ideas and visions of humanity that defined the golden age of classical Greece. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: Classics 300. Prerequisite: Sophomore standiing or consent of instructor

HIST 240
Augustan Rome
An introduction to ancient Rome and Roman civilization, focusing on the Age of Augustus in all its aspects: art, literature, politics, empire, law, entertainment, and society. Emphasis on the political and cultural changes that took place during this revolutionary period. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: Classics 310. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 245
History of England to 1485
A study of the history of England (and, to a lesser degree, Scotland and Wales) from prehistoric times to the accession of the House of Tudor. Special attention to the history of London. Especially recommended for, but not limited to, students going to the London Centre. (E) Units: 6.

HIST 246
Modern Britain, 1688 to the Present
This course surveys the history of Great Britain from the political upheavals of 1688 to the present day. Emphasis will be on broad political and economic themes: the development of parliamentary democracy, the growth of modern industrial capitalism, and the extension and eventual collapse of the British Empire. We will also examine some of the major cultural and intellectual achievements of the period. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

HIST 247
The Impact of Empire on Great Britain, 1814-1914
In 1914 the British empire contained a population of over 400 million people and was territorially the largest empire in world history. While the British spread their ideas about government, language, religion, and culture to their colonies, Britain itself was also profoundly influenced by the colonies it ruled. This course will explore aspects of the impact of the Empire on British politics, economics, society, and popular culture during the 19th century. Among the topics to be covered are the anti-slavery movement, imperialism and new imperialism, jingoism and popular culture, economic responses, and the influence of imperialism on culture and the arts. The myriad resources of London will be used to provide specific examples of how important the Empire was in shaping British identity and institutions during the 19th century. Offered at the London Centre. (G&C or E) Units: 6.

HIST 249
The Early Middle Ages: 400-1000 A.D.
A study of European history from the Decline of Rome and the Barbarian Invasions through the age of Viking expansion, the Ottonian Empire, and the rise of feudalism, with emphasis in intellectual, cultural, and institutional development. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 250
The High Middle Ages: Papal Revolution to Dante
A study of the High and Late Middle Ages, with emphasis upon intellectual, cultural, and institutional development, from the Papal Revolution, Scholasticism, and the Crusades through the 13th century and its changes in such concepts as time, space, and matter. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 260
Culture and Power in Renaissance Europe
A study of intellectual, artistic, and religious innovations and their relation to dynamic political and social transformations between roughly 1350 and 1550. Beginning with the concepts of rediscovery, rebirth, and renewal as expressed in the writings of Renaissance Humanists, the course will explore how a new cosmology informed changes in artistic expression, political theory and practice, production and commerce, overseas expansion, popular ritual and spectacle, gender relations, and understandings of the self. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 261
Rebellion and Discipline in Reformation Europe
An examination of the religious fragmentation of Christian Europe and its social and political aftermath from 1500 to 1715. The course will survey how revolt against the church evolved into a series of rebellions against authority — peasants against nobles, cities against overlords, and nobles against monarchs — and eventually culminated in a reassertion of social discipline through the consolidation of the state’s power, the formation of confessional orthodoxies (Lutheran, Calvinist, Catholic), an increased policing of morality, and the domestication of men’s and women’s roles in society. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 270
Europe in the Age of Revolution, 1789-1851
An examination of European history from the French Revolution through the revolutions of 1848, focusing on the socioeconomic, political, and ideological configurations that emerged out of the French and Industrial Revolutions. Topics include the rise of liberalism, nationalism, socialism, and the modern state within their various historical contexts. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 275
Europe in the Age of Nationalism, World War, and Totalitarianism, 1851-1990
An examination of European history from the Age of National Unification through the collapse of the Soviet Empire. Topics include imperialism, the two World Wars, the Russian Revolution, fascism, totalitarianism, mass nationalism, and the reemergence of eastern and central Europe. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 221. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 276
Spy vs. Spy: Espionage and the Cold War
An examination of the Cold War through the lens of intelligence and espionage. Themes include the origins of the CIA and KGB, Soviet and American intelligence successes and failures, mass hysteria and popular fascination with spies, and the contribution of espionage to the Soviet collapse. (G&C) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. HIST 132 or 325 recommended

HIST 277
Eastern Europe in the 20th Century
This course surveys the history of the peoples of Eastern Europe from the First World War until the collapse of Communism. Themes include the collapse of empires and rise of nation-states, revolution and counter-revolution, the consequences of relative economic backwardness, and the impact of totalitarian ideologies such as fascism and communism on the everyday lives of people. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 280
Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe
Witchcraft and witch-hunting in Europe between 1350 and 1750. An examination of the concepts of religion and magic and an exploration of such topics as magical practices, the relationship between heresy and magic, the evolution of witchcraft, the dynamics and demise of witch-hunting, the role of gender, and definitions of societal deviance. Readings in primary sources and modern historical and anthropological scholarship. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 290
Modern European Thought I, 1500-1800
A close examination of 17th- and 18th-century intellectual trends (during the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment) that influenced the epistemological, scientific, and political assumptions of the modern world. Works by such authors as Galileo, Bacon, Descartes, Hobbes, Newton, Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau, Goethe, and Wollstonecraft will trace the displacement of divine authority by human authority as the basis of knowledge in what some modern philosophers have called the “Quest for Certainty” that followed the 16th century. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 291
Modern European Thought II, 1789-present
An examination of modern thought focusing on the problem of self and society since the late 18th century. Topics include individualism and individuality, “economic man,” socialism, feminism, fascism, existentialism, and post-modernism. Readings from Adam Smith, J. S. Mill, Dostoevsky, Marx, Freud, Woolf, and Foucault. (E) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 295
Nationalism in Modern History
An examination of the idea and the reality of nationalism in modern history. Among the questions we will ask are: Is nationalism a modern phenomenon, or does it have pre-modern origins? Is it compatible with democracy and human rights or fundamentally hostile to them? Is it primarily a European phenomenon transplanted to other places, or are there indigenous roots of nationalism throughout the world? We will attempt to answer these questions by reading theoretical works on nationalism from a variety of disciplines and by examining historical case studies. (G&C) Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 223. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and HIST 115, or consent of instructor

HIST 300
Reel Men: Masculinity in American Film, 1945-2000
Focusing on an array of well-known American films — “The Maltese Falcon,” “Red River,” “Dr. Strangelove,” “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” “Chinatown,” “Die Hard,” and “American Beauty” among them — the course will integrate film theory, gender theory, and American history to address the problem of how masculinity has been constructed in American culture since World War II. Not open to students who have previously received, or need to receive, credit for HIST 400. (NA) Units: 6. Also listed as: Gender Studies 323. Prerequisite: Sophomore level or above

HIST 305
Film as History and History as Film
An examination, through selected films, of specific moments in European history and an examination of film itself as a source of historical interpretation. Possible “historical moments” include Medieval England, Nazi Germany, and the Holocaust, and possible films include Becket, The Triumph of the Will, and Schindler’s List. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: Film Studies 305. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 310
Inventing Germany
Students use literary and non-fiction texts to examine German national identity as it developed from the French Revolution through Bismarck and two world wars to “reunification” in 1990. Topics include the role of Germany in Europe, the legacy of divided Germany, and diversity in German society today. Taught in English. German majors and minors may participate in a two-unit tutorial in which discussions and some course readings will be in German. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: German 359.

HIST 311
The Holocaust in German Culture (in English)
This course focuses on literary responses to the Holocaust, but it also deals with film and the issue of commemoration. After a discussion of the difficulty of representing the Holocaust, the course examines the Holocaust’s role in the construction of German-Jewish identity and its impact on post-war German culture. Taught in English. German majors and minors may participate in a two-unit tutorial in which discussions and some course readings will be in German. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: German 355. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 315
Empire and Nation in Russian History
The course examines the history of ethnically diverse territories referred to as “Russia” from early modern times to 1991. Themes include the formation of the Russian empire, its transformation into the Soviet Union, and its partial collapse in 1991; the meaning of “empire,” “nation,” and “ethnicity”in historical context; and the interaction of Russians with non-Russian peoples in Ukraine, the Baltic States, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. (G&C) Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 320. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. HIST 320 or 325 recommended

HIST 320
Imperial Russia, 1682-1917
A history of the Russian Empire from the reign of Peter I through the revolutions of 1917. Themes include serfdom and its abolition, attempts at modernization, the emergence of political opposition to autocracy, cultural developments, and Russia’s role in the European state system. (G&C) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 323
Topics in Russian History and Culture
An interdisciplinary course examining the relationship between politics and culture in Russia since the 18th century through the close analysis of a specific historical theme. Emphasis is placed on reading and discussing literary texts, historical primary sources, and, where applicable, watching films. Possible themes include: Power and Culture in the Russian Revolution, 1900-1936; The Soviet 1960s; and The Agony of Populism: Terrorism and Literature in Russia’s Nineteenth Century. Not open to students who have previously received, or need to receive credit for HIST 423.

Topic for Spring 2009: Power and Culture in the Russian Revolution, 1900-1934

This course is a study of the relationship between politics, art, and everyday life in Russia’s revolutionary era. Among the topics studied are: prominent artistic movements such as symbolism, futurism, and constructivism; ideological debates about the role of culture in revolutionary times; efforts to transform the everyday lives of ordinary people by means of propaganda, popular entertainment, and design; and the development of socialist realism. Emphasis is placed on analyzing and discussing historical primary sources and literary texts, works of fine and applied art, and films in a seminar-style format. (G&C) Units: 6. Also listed as: Russian 323. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and one course in Russian language, literature, or history.

HIST 325
The Soviet Union, 1917-1991
A study of the creation of a socialist state on the territory of the former Russian empire. Themes include the revolutionary origins of the state, economic modernization and social transformation, the emergence of the Stalinist political order, nationality policy, intellectual and artistic activity, and the decline and collapse of the Soviet system. (G&C) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 330
History of the American West
This course examines realities and images of the frontier/western experience from exploration and settlement of North America through the present. Included are native and immigrant groups, technology, transportation, agriculture, mining, and urbanization, as well as effects of the frontier on national character. (NA) Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 222. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

HIST 333
American Indians in Wisconsin
A study of the diverse history, culture, and lived experiences of American Indian people in Wisconsin from pre-contact to the present. Emphasizes the adaptability of Wisconsin Indian communities in response to Euroamerican colonialism as it changed over time and the historical and contemporary relevance of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 333. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 335
Women in Early America, 1607-1860
An examination of the experiences of women in early America, focusing both on women’s lives and on the changing economic, political, and cultural roles they played in American society. Themes include women and the family, women’s religious experiences, women and industrialization, and the effects of slavery on black and white women. (NA) Units: 6. Also listed as: Gender Studies 220. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor

HIST 345
Race Relations in the United States, 1865-Present
An examination of relations between black and white Americans since Emancipation. Topics will include Reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow, the Great Migrations, the Civil Rights Movement, urban unrest, and white backlash. (NA) Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 321. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and HIST 132

HIST 350
The 1920s, Great Depression, and New Deal, 1920-1945
After considering the 1920s as a “new era” in American history, the course examines the impact of the Great Depression upon American institutions and attitudes, with extensive analysis of the New Deal’s domestic reform program and its creation of a national welfare state. (NA) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and HIST 132

HIST 355
History of the American Environment
North Americans have transformed the environment while being shaped by nature in turn. This course surveys the changing relationships between Americans and their physical environment in historical context from the 17th century to the present. Topics include the “Columbian exchange,” agriculture, urbanization, conservation, and the emergence of contemporary environmentalism. (NA) Units: 6. Also listed as: Environmental Studies 355. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

HIST 358
Race and Ethnicity in East Asia
This course will explore the use of the concepts of race and ethnicity in China and Japan to show how identity is constructed and used in forging national identity. The course will also examine transnationalism and the formation and articulation of ethnicity in East Asia. Units: 6. Also listed as: East Asian Studies 358, Ethnic Studies 334. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

HIST 360
Contemporary China, 1949-2000
A discussion course on selected issues in the social and cultural history of modern China. Literature, films, documents, and historical studies are examined to explore the intimate side of personal, family, and social life and the nature and impact of social and cultural changes in 20th-century China. (G&C) Units: 6. Also listed as: East Asian Studies 420. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor; HIST 165 recommended

HIST 363
China’s Renaissance
This course focuses on the transformation of China’s society and economy during the Song dynasty (960-1279). We will analyze phenomena such as the replacement of an aristocracy by civil servants judged on merit, the liberalization of commerce, the spread of printing, and the reorientation of the Chinese philosophical tradition. (G&C) Units: 6.

HIST 365
Modern Japanese History, 1868-2000
A discussion course on modern Japanese history from the Meiji Restoration of 1868 to the present. This course focuses on Japanese efforts to build a new, westernized state and society compatible with Japan’s traditional “national polity” and to find a new role in modern East Asia and the world. (G&C) Units: 6. Also listed as: East Asian Studies 365, Ethnic Studies 322. Prerequisite: HIST 165

HIST 371
The Rise and Fall of American Empires: The Americas, from the Beginnings Through the Conquest
A study of the Aztec, Inca, and Maya civilizations, focusing on cultural and technological development. Additional focus is on pre-columbian cultural succession, imperial expansion of the Aztec and Incan empires, and native participation in the conquest. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing

HIST 378
Ethnicity in Latin America
Explores the coming together of distinct Native, African, and European ethnicities in Latin America, and the resulting creation of new ethnicities. We examine how race has been understood in Latin American history and how attitudes toward race have fundamentally shaped the history of the region. Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 325. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; HIST 178 or HIST 179 recommended

HIST 385
History of the Book
To provide an instruction to the interdisciplinary field of Book History, which should help students think more critically about the impact of material culture on intellectual activity. The course will be taught as a speaking intensive seminar, which means that students will frequently be responsible for presenting reading material and leading discussion in the first half of class. Units: 6. Also listed as: English 527. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of the instructor.

HIST 390
Tutorial Studies in History
A reading program, specially designed and implemented in consultation with an instructor. Writing is required. Students must consult in advance with the member of the department with whom they wish to work. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

HIST 395
Internship in History
An opportunity for students to gain experience in public history. Students might work for a museum, historic site, government agency or archive, including the Lawrence University Archives. Arranged under the direction of an instructor in the department in accordance with the guidelines for academic internships as stated in the course catalog. Units: Variable.

HIST 399
Independent Study in History
A research project organized in consultation with an instructor, culminating in a major research paper. Students must consult in advance (preferably during spring registration) with the member of the department with whom they wish to work. Students considering an honors project should register for this course. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

HIST 400
Reel Men: Masculinity in American Film, 1945-2000
At the upper level, the course will serve as a history seminar in preparation for the history department’s capstone course. Those taking it at that level will be required to write at least one paper addressing film or gender theory and to write a 10-15 page research prospectus. Not open to students who have previously received credit for HIST 300. (NA) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Also listed as: Gender Studies 423, Film Studies 400. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above

HIST 422
Revolt and Revolution in Latin America
This seminar investigates resistance in its many forms in Latin American history. Attention to abstract notions of “revolution” will be complemented by evaluating how particular episodes of violent unrest in Latin America have served as the tools of both the weak and the powerful. (G&C) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and HIST 178 or 179, or consent of the instructor

HIST 423
Topics in Russian History and Culture
An interdisciplinary seminar examining the relationship between politics and culture in Russia since the 18th century through the close analysis of a specific historical theme. Emphasis is placed on reading and discussing literary texts, historical primary sources, and, where applicable, watching films. Possible themes include: Power and Culture in the Russian Revolution, 1900-1936; The Soviet 1960s; and The Agony of Populism: Terrorism and Literature in Russia’s Nineteenth Century. Students in this course will be expected to complete a research paper in preparation for the History Department’s senior experience and will meet periodically with the instructor for that purpose. This course fulfills the seminar requirement for history majors. Not open to students who have previously received credit for HIST 323/RUSS 323.

Topic for Spring 2009: Power and Culture in the Russian Revolution, 1900-1934

This course is study of the relationship between politics, literature, and everyday life in Russia’s revolutionary era. Among the topics studied include: prominent literary movements; debates about the role of literature and culture in revolutionary times; efforts to transform the everyday life of ordinary people; and the establishment of socialist realism. Emphasis is placed on reading and discussing literary texts, historical primary sources, and watching films in a seminar-style format. Students in the 400-level course will be expected to complete a research paper in prepartion for the History Department’s senior experience and will meet periodically with the instructor for that purpose. (G&C) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and either History 320 or 325, or consent of instructor.

HIST 425
Heroic Societies: History and Epic
A seminar in the use of epic prose and poetry, with related sources in archaeology, folklore, art, and other fields and in the reconstruction of past societies, their history, and worldviews. Epics read are the Iliad, Beowulf, Vinland Sagas, and the Nibelungenlied. (E) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 430
Society and the Sexes in Pre-Industrial Europe
A seminar, organized topically, exploring changing gender definitions, economic and social roles, family structures and functions, and styles of intimacy from 1000 to 1800. A variety of primary sources and scholarly interpretations examined. (E) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Also listed as: Gender Studies 415. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 431
Violence in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
A chronological and thematic examination of the understandings, uses, and effects of violence between roughly 1000 and 1800. Structured loosely around changing distinctions between licit and illicit forms of violence, the course will explore the transition from reliance upon self-help to well-articulated systems of jurisdiction at different levels of society. Topics will include warfare (feud, conflict among states, mercenaries, standing armies), jurisprudence (interrogation, torture, public execution), revolt (riot, rebellion), and interpersonal violence (criminal behavior, retribution). Readings will include a wide variety of documentary materials and scholarship. (E) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 435
Nazism and Stalinism in Comparative Perspective
This course examines the political, social, and cultural histories of two of the 20th century’s most notorious regimes. We will seek to determine what they had in common and, in doing so, answer the question, “What is totalitarianism?” (E or G&C) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and HIST 115 or 325, or consent of instructor

HIST 440
Themes in European Intellectual History, 1789-present
A seminar in the history of ideas, focusing on one of several topics that shift periodically. Possible topics include the concept of freedom in French thought since the Revolution and the rise of post-modernism in 20th-century Europe. (E) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and HIST 115 or consent of instructor

HIST 470
The American Civil War
A comprehensive examination of the Civil War era between 1840 and 1877. Major themes and topics will include the political crisis leading to secession, the military conduct of the war, the end of slavery, the effects of the war on American society, and Reconstruction. (NA) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Also listed as: Ethnic Studies 420. Prerequisite: Junior standing and HIST 131, or consent of instructor

HIST 475
The History of America at Play
How serious is play? This class explores the ways in which seemingly frivolous activities — ordinary American entertainment — have reflected and shaped hierarchies of race, class, and gender as well as urban economies and landscapes. (NA) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and one of HIST 130, 131, 0R 132

HIST 479
Travel and Tourism in American History
This course explores the emergence of tourism in the United States from the early national period to the present, paying particular attention to the dynamics of ethnicity and gender in shaping tourism within modern consumer culture. We will study a variety of primary and secondary sources, including travel narratives and films. (NA) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and at least one of HIST 130, 131, or 132

HIST 480
Reconsidering the 1960s
A seminar examining the major themes and issues of the decade. Topics include Vietnam, the Great Society, civil rights, the counterculture, and feminism. Fiction, oral narrative, and the developing historiographical literature will be employed as aids in addressing the period. (NA) Fulfills seminar requirement. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing and HIST 132

HIST 486
Commerce in Traditional China
China’s state-directed economic growth has begun to make a significant impact on the global market, but it is only the most recent development in a long history of transformation. This course examines policies and attitudes concerning Chinese commerce up to the 18th century. Attitudes toward economic activities and society in Europe and Japan are also treated to provide a broader context. (G&C) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 491
Borderlands in Modern East and Inner Asia: History, Culture, and Identity
Seminar on Euro-Asian borderlands, with a focus on East Asia during the Modern Period. Adopting a transnational approach, the course examines the fluidity of the concept of the “frontier,” along with various understandings of what borderlands are, from the perspective of both indigenous peoples and those from afar. Units: 6. Also listed as: East Asian Studies 491. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 495
The Global Century, 1914-1991
A study of the 20th century from the perspective of its end rather than its start. Focus is on major world events and trends from a global rather than a regional point of view and with regard to the possible onset of a new contemporary stage of history. (G&C) Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 510
The Origins of War
A study of the concerns that lead states to war through analysis of the strategic and diplomatic crises that precipitated two great historical conflicts: the Peloponnesian War in 431 B.C. and the First World War in 1914. Students will regard themselves as diplomats assigned to report on the developing situations. (E) Units: 6. Also listed as: Classics 510. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 590
Tutorial Studies in History
A reading program, specially designed and implemented in consultation with an instructor. Writing is required. Students must consult in advance with the member of the department with whom they wish to work. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

HIST 595
Internship in History
An opportunity for students to gain experience in public history. Students might work for a museum, historic site, government agency or archive, including the Lawrence University Archives. Arranged under the direction of an instructor in the department in accordance with the guidelines for academic internships as stated in the course catalog. Units: Variable.

HIST 599
Independent Study in History
A research project organized in consultation with an instructor, culminating in a major research paper. Students must consult in advance (preferably during spring registration) with the member of the department with whom they wish to work. Students considering an honors project should register for this course. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

HIST 620
Historiography
A seminar examining both philosophical and methodological aspects of historical studies. Readings include modern treatises on the nature of history, select works of important philosophers of history, and examples of contemporary approaches to historical research and writing. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 650
The Practice of History
A collaborative senior seminar culminating in an original and substantial piece of historical research. Students will be introduced to the standards of research and writing common to the historical profession and will be guided, as apprentice historians, through their own individual projects. Open to history majors who, having completed an advanced seminar, tutorial, or independent study, have outlined a research topic that they are prepared to pursue intensively. Units: 6. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor

HIST 690
Tutorial Studies in History
A reading program, specially designed and implemented in consultation with an instructor. Writing is required. Students must consult in advance with the member of the department with whom they wish to work. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.

HIST 695
Internship in History
An opportunity for students to gain experience in public history. Students might work for a museum, historic site, government agency or archive, including the Lawrence University Archives. Arranged under the direction of an instructor in the department in accordance with the guidelines for academic internships as stated in the course catalog. Units: Variable.

HIST 699
Independent Study in History
A research project organized in consultation with an instructor, culminating in a major research paper. Students must consult in advance (preferably during spring registration) with the member of the department with whom they wish to work. Students considering an honors project should register for this course. Units: Variable. Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.