2023-2024 Academic Catalog

History (HIS)

HIS-1110: Survey of Early Modern Europe, 1350-1815 (3 hours)

An overview of the important persons, events, movements and ideas in the major nation-states in Europe and Europe's rise to world power from the crises of the 14th century to the defeat of Napoleon.

HIS-1120: Survey of Modern Europe Since 1815 (3 hours)

An overview of the important persons, events, movements and ideas in the major nation-states in Europe from the defeat of Napoleon to the break-up of the Soviet Empire and Europe's fall from world mastery.

HIS-1200: History of the American People to 1877 (3 hours)

A survey of American history from the European encounter to the end of Reconstruction, emphasizing relevant aspects of American geography and the intersection of sociocultural, political and economic forces of change. IAI: H2904.

HIS-1250: History of the American People since 1877 (3 hours)

A survey of American history from the end of Reconstruction through the present, emphasizing relevant aspects of American geography and the intersection of sociocultural, political and economic forces of change. IAI: H2905.

HIS-1315: Survey of World History to 1350 (3 hours)

An examination of the historical beginnings of the world’s great civilizations and cultural traditions with emphasis on the peoples of Eurasia, the five great religious traditions of the world, the importance of trade and other cross-continental encounters and the growing sophistication of life and technology over the period. IAI: H2906.

HIS-1325: Survey of the World Since 1350 (3 hours)

An examination of the rise of global connections from early modern times to the end of the 20th century, the confluence of factors that favored Western imperial success, the 20th-century crises that doomed these empires, decolonization and the origins of a range of contemporary problems. IAI: H2907.

HIS-2100: Seminar in Writing and Researching History (3 hours)

An introduction to the major modes of historical writing, including literature reviews, critical essays and research projects. The course will also introduce students to how historians approach the study of the past including important philosophies of history and historiography. Required of all majors. Prerequisite: ENG-1100 English Composition and completed six credit hours in History. Co-requisite: Simultaneous enrollment in any other History course. Satisfies the College of Theology, Arts, and Humanities requirement for a second discipline-specific writing course.

HIS-2300: U.S. Women's History (3 hours)

This course examines the history of women in the United States from the Colonial period to the present.

HIS-2500: African American History (3 hours)

This course examines the history of African-Americans in the United States, from the Colonial period to the present. Prominent themes include politics, religion, labor, immigration, social justice movements, ethnicity, class and gender. IAI: H2909D.

HIS-2600: Hispanic and Latino American History (3 hours)

This course examines the history of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States, from the Colonial period to the present. Prominent themes include politics, religion, labor, immigration, social justice movements, ethnicity, class and gender. IAI: H2909D.

HIS-2700: Ancient Greek and Roman Civilizations (3 hours)

An introduction to the history and achievements of Greeks and Romans from the appearance of the Mycenaeans to the reign of Constantine. The course will emphasize the contributions these civilizations made to western ways and the emergence of Christianity. Replaces HIS-3150.

HIS-2800: A History of Illinois (3 hours)

A survey of Illinois history from preurban societies to the present. Special emphasis is placed on history of Chicago and its relationship to the larger state. The course uses public history as its methodological framework. Replaces: HIS-3210.

HIS-4130: The Age of Reform, 1400-1650 (3 hours)

A study of the chronic problems of the Late Medieval Church, the failure of reform movements inside the church, the Protestant Reformation, the breakup of Protestant unity, the Catholic Reformation and the culminating age of religious wars in Europe. Cross-Listed: THY-4130. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-1110.

HIS-4150: Europe In Our Time: 1918-Present (3 hours)

An examination of Europe's descent into totalitarianism and total war, the division of the continent into rival spheres in the era of the Superpowers, the precipitous decline and collapse of the Soviet Union, the Revolutions of 1989, and Eastern Europe’s post-Soviet decades and the continent’s current international and social tension. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-1120.

HIS-4155: Rise and Decline of Modern Europe: 1799-1918 (3 hours)

An examination of the collective rise of the great powers from the time of Napoleon, Europe’s increasingly unmanageable continental rivalries, its proliferating ideologies and descent into world war. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-1120.

HIS-4225: Antebellum America (3 hours)

An examination of the formative period of American history from approximately 1824-1865. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-1200.

HIS-4240: Contemporary America (3 hours)

An overview of the United States after World War II including major social movements, diplomatic policies and political changes. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-1250.

HIS-4250: The American Religious Experience (3 hours)

A thematic survey exploring the role and influence of religion in American history and culture from the colonial era to the present. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-1200 or HIS-1250.

HIS-4300: Twentieth Century World History (3 hours)

A survey of world history since 1900 with a special emphasis on comparative global history that examines the interaction between Western and non-Western societies, countries and cultures. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-1325.

HIS-4310: Non-Western Historical Studies (3 hours)

An in-depth analysis of a specific non-Western country or society, topical in nature. Students will examine the history of one particular nation or region through focused readings and research, while considering comparative analysis to better understand the globalization of the contemporary world. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-1325.

HIS-4900: Senior Seminar (3 hours)

A research-based capstone course in the methods of historical analysis using primary documents applied to a historical question. Required of Liberal Arts majors, recommended for Secondary Education Social Science majors with a History designation. Prerequisite: C or higher in HIS-2100 and a minimum of 15 hours of courses with an HIS prefix.

HIS-4910: Topics and Readings in History (3 hours)

A focused study of a significant topic of current or enduring historical interest. Readings will include standard works, the findings of recent research and highlight points of scholarly dispute. The topic may vary each time the course is offered. This course can be repeated when the topic is different. Required of all History majors, junior standing recommended. Instructor consent for all other students.

HIS-4950: Independent Study in History (1-6 hours)

An in-depth study of a topic relevant to a current topic in the discipline or a topic of interest that is not addressed in other departmental courses. The course may be repeated for credit so long as the topic is different.

HIS-4990: Internship in History (3 hours)

A supervised practice with an agency or organization, providing students with an opportunity to explore a career related to history, or to apply their historical skills (reading, writing, analysis, critical thinking) in a professional setting unrelated to history. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.