Course Descriptions

*NEW* Link to Planned Course Offerings for the next two years

111. The Emergence of the Modern World I (3) surveys selected aspects of World History from the fourteenth to eighteenth century. Traces the political, economic, intellectual and cultural institutions and trends of various world societies of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Western Hemisphere.

112. The Emergence of the Modern World II (3) surveys selected aspects of World History from the eighteenth century to the present. Traces the political, economic, intellectual and cultural institutions and trends of various world societies of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Western Hemisphere.

Charles Lindbergh

211. United States History to 1877 (3) covers the period from the first American Indian settlements to 1877, emphasizing the origin of the United States and the rise of democratic ideas and institutions.

212. United States History since 1877 (3) deals with the period 1877 to the present, emphasizing the development of the United States as an industrial and a world power.

315. The Holocaust (3) provides an overview of the state-sponsored murder of millions of Jews and non-Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. It examines important historical factors that occurred before the Third Reich’s rise to power, the development of policies aimed at Jews and other “undesirable” elements of the population and how those persecuted responded to them, the path of the Final Solution and the aftermath and legacy of the Holocaust.

318. Nineteenth Century European History (3) deals with the political, economic and cultural development of Europe from the Congress of Vienna to World War I.

320. Twentieth Century European History (3) analyzes significant events and trends in modern Europe from World War I to the present. Emphasis is placed on Germany, France, Great Britain and the Soviet Union.

321. Early Modern European History (3) covers the period from the late Renaissance (1450 through the Enlightenment (1780). It deals with such topics as the late Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the expansion of trade, exploration and colonization, the rise of new systems of government (absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy), the military revolution, the witch hunts of the 1500s and 1600s, and the Enlightenment.

340. Russian History (4) traces the development of the Russian nation from earliest times to the death of Stalin in 1953. Emphasis is placed on the growth of political absolutism, territorial expansion and the major characteristics of Russia’s cultural and revolutionary heritage.

341. Contemporary Russia (3) analyzes the Soviet Union and Russia from approximately 1945 to the present. Special attention is given to the government and Communist Party, conditions of daily life, foreign policy, the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the post-Soviet period.

Sun Yat-sen

344. East Asian History to 1800 (3) examines the origins and development of traditional civilizations of China and Japan to the 19th century. Emphasizes the development of the Confucian state and society, the rise of Imperial China, the emergence of aristocratic culture in Japan, the transition to Samurai rule and early contact with the West.

346. Southeast Asian History (3) covers the development of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, the Philippines, and East Timor) in the historical context of conflict between the indigenous societies and the global community of the colonial powers. The course will contextualize and examine the pre-colonial order, the colonial powers in SEA, World War II and post-war independence movements. Political, social and intellectual trends with an emphasis on the diversity of experiences will be highlighted, but the course is intended as an introduction to a broad and diverse region of the world.

347. Modern China (3) examines China’s evolution from an imperial state to a revolutionary society dominated by the Chinese Communist Party. Attention shall be paid to political attitudes and elements of society and culture in contemporary China that reflect links to a past that remained influential both as an inspiration and a stumbling block as China remade itself in the twentieth century. In addition, the course explores discontinuities in modern Chinese history brought about by wars, imperialism, revolution, industrialization, and the other forces that broke down or decisively altered the underpinnings of Chinese society. This course’s reading and lectures are built upon five major themes: foundation and success of early Qing dynasty, peasant rebellion and Western imperialism, reform and revolution in the twentieth century, Republican China and its challenges, and the birth and development of the PRC.

348. The Western Impact on Modern Japan (3) explores the three ways Japan has become an empire during the past two centuries: through the restoration of imperial rule in the nineteenth century, through its imperialist expansion in Asia during the early twentieth century, and through its emergence as a global economic power in the post-War order. To understand these developments, one must examine the interplay between the internal dynamics of change in Japanese society, culture, and politics, on the one hand, and the impact of the West on Japan during these formative events. This will mean addressing how indigenous changes in Tokugawa, Japan interacted with pressure of Western Imperialism to cause the imperial restoration and reforms as well as the relationship between Japan’s imperial expansion and imperial rule at home.

350. Latin American History to 1810 (3) examines the process of encounter between the Old and New Worlds. It focuses initially on Pre-Columbian and Iberian societies prior to 1492 and it examines the social, political, cultural and economic impact of Spanish and Portuguese colonizations in South America. It devotes particular emphasis to countries such as Mexico, Peru and Argentina from the colonial to the national periods.

351. Modern Latin America since 1810 (3) emphasizes the historical developments which followed political independence in 1810. It centers around the impact of Iberian colonization on contemporary forms of political, social and economic organization in both Meso and South Americas. Themes such as development, social inequality, racial identities, imperialism and authoritarianism will surface frequently as the course moves into the contemporary period.

353. History of Mexico, Pre-Columbian to Present (3) traces the history of this important Latin American country from its Pre-Columbian era to the present. It focuses on the merging of both native groups such as the Aztecs and the Mayas with the Spanish colonizers, forming a unique society in the New World. Mexico’s distinctive historical phases, from colonization to independence, will also be closely examined to deepen the understanding of the 1910 Revolution and its course throughout the twentieth century.

354. History of Argentina (3) examines the transformation of Argentina from colony to modern nation, and investigates such topics as caudillismo, federalism, populism, military government, and democratization.

356. History of Modern Africa (3) surveys the history of Africa with emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa in the period after 1800. Topics include state formation, African systems of belief, colonialism and its legacy, labor, migration, and the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa.

A portrait of a Native American, by 19th century painter George Catlin.

365. The American Indian (3) involves the cross-disciplinary study of Native Americans and their social, political and cultural interaction with each other and with white society during the 19th and 20th centuries. Emphasis is placed on the Trans-Mississippi West. See listings under Political Science 365 and Anthropology 365.

368. Religion in the United States (3) studies Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism and other religious movements. It examines the development and interaction of religion with other aspects of culture in the United States. Offered in alternate years. See listing Religion 368.

372. Colonial and Revolutionary America, Discovery–1788 (3) examines societies and people of West Africa, Western Europe and Eastern North America as they came together in the region and created a new world in the 17th and 18th centuries. Special emphasis is placed on social differences (ways of getting a living, women’s roles and gendered division of labor and family structure) and their role in the ensuing conflicts and accommodations. Prerequisite: 211.

373. Nationalism and Sectionalism in the Early Republic, 1789–1865 (3) analyzes the political evolution of the new nation under the Constitution, its struggle to preserve independence from foreign powers, economic and social development and the rise of sectional discord and civil war. Prerequisite: 211.

374. Ohio History (3) is a survey of the economic, cultural, political and social history of Ohio, from prehistoric time to the present.

375. United States Economic History (3) examines issues, events and policies in United States history from an economic perspective, using the basic tools of economics to gain increased understanding of such topics as: forces causing growth in the standard of living, the Great Depression, slavery, land policy and the nature of technological change. Prerequisite: Economics 215, 216. See listing under Economics 375.

376. American Diplomatic History (3) traces the origins of American foreign policy with emphasis on the period since 1890. Conflicts over issues of imperialism, collective security, isolationism, neutrality and the Russian-American rivalry from Cold War to the present are explored.

377. History of Environmental Politics (3) explores the history of environmental politics in the United States by examining several case studies in contemporary policy from a historical perspective. Special emphasis is placed upon the skills of using historical evidence as a component of policy analysis. Offered in alternate years. See listing under Political Science 327.

382. The Rise of Industrial America, 1865–1932 (3) focuses upon sectional reunification and reconstruction after the Civil War, Gilded Age society and politics and the emergence of the United States as an industrial global power. Prerequisite: 212.

383. The Emergence of Modern America, since 1933 (3) examines the impact of continuing economic and technological change, nativism, the Great Depression, World War II and the Cold War upon American society and government. Prerequisite: 212.

385. American Environmental History (3) studies human societies and their relationship to their environment over time. The focus is on the environmental history of North America from pre-Columbian times to the present. Topics explored include the Columbian exchange, evolving concepts of man’s relationship to nature, the government’s role in conservation and preservation and the emergency of an environmental movement in recent decades.

390. Topics in History (3) deals with selected topical courses such as Early Warfare, Baseball, Gender and History, Public History.

398. Internship in History (1-3) designed to offer students jointly supervised history-related work experience. Students will be expected to submit a work dossier and related research project at the end of the internship. Prerequisite: junior standing and prior permission of the instructor; credit does not count toward a minor.

420. Readings in History (3) permits students to explore historical topics in depth under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing and permission of the instructor.

460. History Research Seminar (3) emphasizes methodological and bibliographical research techniques in the discipline of history. Students research and write on specific topics to meet acceptable standards of historical analysis and style. Prerequisite: senior standing or permission of instructor.

Please direct all the questions to kerrigan@muskingum.edu