History

Bachelor of Arts

The mission of the Department of History and Classics is to encourage a sensitivity to the past in order that students might better understand the present and prepare intelligently to deal with the challenges of the future. Moreover, the department seeks to train and instruct students in historical method, with emphasis on doing the work of history with the greatest possible objectivity, resisting personal and social prejudice and ideological fashion.

History courses are intended to develop in students a basic grasp of both European and American civilizations and to provide students with opportunities to gain knowledge and understanding of non-Western civilizations.

The department emphasizes an appreciation of the Judaeo-Christian heritage in keeping with the character and mission of the College as a Roman Catholic and Dominican institution. It also promotes an understanding of democratic tradition and practice and their relation to the responsibilities of citizenship and humane development of the nation and the world.

Advanced Placement Policy

History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of “5” on the A.P. U.S. and/or European History exam(s) will be given a one-course reduction in the required courses for the specific area(s) and will be given flexibility in choosing the remaining two courses (i.e., any two courses for the particular area). For instance, a major with a grade of “5” in U.S. History would be required to take only two courses in U.S. History and may choose any U.S. History courses for those required courses. A major with a grade of “5” in European History would be required to take only two courses in European History and may choose any European History courses for those required courses.

History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of “5” on the World History exam will be given a one-course reduction, which will satisfy the requirement for a course in non-Western history.

A limit of two A.P. scores of “5” will be recognized by the Department for reduction of the total number of courses in the major.

History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of “4” on the A.P. U.S. and/or European History exam(s) will be given flexibility in choosing any three courses for U.S. and/or European History. For such students, the required number of History credits to be earned for the major would remain at 33.

Please Note:

Academic programs vary in their requirements. Students should consult with their faculty advisor and the Academic Guidebook to review the Academic Planning Form pertinent to their program of study. In addition, students should review course descriptions regarding any prerequisites for required courses. Graduation requirements include a minimum of 120 credit hours, although some academic programs may require additional credits. Please refer to the Academic Resources section of the catalog for more information. Information regarding the Core Curriculum is available within each course and online.

Required Courses

History majors are required to complete 33 credits in history. These are normally fulfilled by completing a three-credit gateway course, nine credits each in United States history and European history, and 12 from departmental electives, of which a non-Western history course and a junior/senior seminar are required. Necessary adjustments and appropriate substitutions for departmental requirements may be made in accordance with approved department policy and with permission of the chairperson of the department.

HIS 100 - Thinking and Writing about History 3 Credits
(3) United States History courses, chosen from:
HIS 255 - Colonial North America: From Contact to Constitution (to 1789) 3 Credits
HIS 256 - Creating a Nation from Founding to Civil War (1789-1877) 3 Credits
HIS 257 - Redefining the United States at Home and Abroad (1877-1939) 3 Credits
HIS 258 - The American Century (1939-Present) 3 Credits
(3) European Period History courses:
1. One Pre-1715
2. One Post-1715
3. One Pre- or Post-1715
(1) Non-Western History course

(2) History Electives

Junior/Senior Seminar or Honors Thesis in History

Pre-1715 European Courses

HIS 220 - Living in an Imperial World: Cities and Empires, 1500 to the Present 3 Credits
HIS 260 - Renaissance Florence: City and Culture: 1300-1550 3 Credits
HIS 280 - Ethnicity in the Ancient World 3 Credits
HIS 304 - Modern Britain 3 Credits
HIS 305 - Europe from 1555 – 1648 3 Credits
HIS 324 - The Reformation 3 Credits
HIS 332 - Medieval Europe II 3 Credits
HIS 337 - The Ancient Greek World 3 Credits
HIS 338 - The Roman Republic and Empire 3 Credits
HIS 360 - Greek and Roman Warfare 3 Credits

Post-1715 European Courses

HIS 220 - Living in an Imperial World: Cities and Empires, 1500 to the Present 3 Credits
HIS 304 - Modern Britain 3 Credits
HIS 308 - Europe from 1815-1914 3 Credits
HIS 311 - Era of the French Revolution 3 Credits
HIS 313 - Eastern Europe Since World War I 3 Credits
HIS 319 - Victorian Worlds: British Society, 1837-1901 3 Credits
HIS 352 - Global Feminisms in the Age of Empires and Beyond 3 Credits
HIS 413 - History of Ireland 3 Credits
HIS 414 - Twentieth-Century Ireland 3 Credits
HIS 422 - History of Russia II 3 Credits
HIS 423 - Europe from 1914 to 1945 3 Credits
HIS 424 - Europe Since 1945 3 Credits

Non-Western Requirement

History majors are required to take at least one non-Western History course as part of their History requirements. History/Secondary Education majors are required to take two non-Western History courses.

Courses that fall into the following categories can be used to fulfill the Non-Western requirement: Asian, Russian,* Latin American, Middle Eastern, African, and Native American histories, or any histories that focus on autochthonous peoples, provided that they (a) include a significant amount of content beyond the scope of the study of Western history and/or (b) offer alternative perspectives to those peoples who emanate from Western Europe or the United States by focusing on the response to contact, conquest, and colonialism.

Courses not explicitly included in the above categories may fulfill the non-Western requirement with the approval of the instructor and the chair or assistant chair.

HIS 230 - Early Latin American History 3 Credits
HIS 231 - Modern Latin American History 3 Credits
HIS 240 - Native American History to 1815 3 Credits
HIS 241 - Native American History since 1815 3 Credits
HIS 298 - East Asian History I 3 Credits
HIS 299 - East Asian History II 3 Credits
HIS 339 - Ancient Egypt 3 Credits
HIS 342 - History of the Middle East to 1920 3 Credits
HIS 344 - History of Africa Since 1850 3 Credits
HIS 345 - History of the Modern Middle East 3 Credits
HIS 352 - Global Feminisms in the Age of Empires and Beyond 3 Credits
HIS 368 - Modern Japan 3 Credits
HIS 369 - Modern China 3 Credits
HIS 422 - History of Russia II 3 Credits
*Russian History may not count as non-Western history for Secondary Education majors. Please consult with the assistant chair or with your advisor for clarification.

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