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 HISTORY COURSES AT RADFORD UNIVERSITY

HIST 101.  World History to 1650.                                                                             (3)

A general survey of world history; study of the world’s major cultural areas, their unique achievements and their interaction with and relation to other societies.  Covers the period up to the mid-17^th century.  General Education credit – Social and Behavioral Sciences or International and Intercultural Studies. 

HIST 102.  World History After 1650.                                                                        (3)

A general survey of world history; a study of the world’s major cultural areas, their unique achievements and their interaction with and relation to other societies.  Covers the period after mid-17^th century.  General Education credit – Social and Behavioral Sciences or International and Intercultural Studies.

 HIST 111.  U.S. History to 1877.                                                                               (3)

Survey of national history from the colonial period through the American Revolution and early national period through the Civil War and reconstruction.  Emphasis on economic, political and social developments and the growth of the representative and democratic process.  General Education credit – Social and Behavioral Sciences.

 HIST 112.  U.S. History Since 1877.                                                                         (3)

General survey of national history since the beginnings of industrialization in the 1870’s.  Explores economic, political and social developments in the United States and growing American involvement in world affairs.  General Education credit – Social and Behavioral Sciences.

 HIST 295.  The Historian’s Craft.                                                                               (3)Prerequisite:  Six hours of HIST at the 100 level.

This seminar will introduce students to the numerous facets of historical inquiry.  Basic components of the course center on the nature and philosophy of history; historical interpretation; research, analysis, and writing; and the practical application of history.  Its focus is on preparing students for upper-division courses in history while integrating work in their major into their overall university experience.  (Students cannot receive credit for HIST 295 and HIST 305.)

 HIST 300.  The 20^th Century World (A, B, C).                                                          (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

An overview of the world in the 20^th century with emphasis on the overriding themes from the historian’s perspective: nationalism, globalization, economic development, environmentalism.  Course establishes a basis for the understanding of current events in historical perspective.  (Students cannot receive credit for HIST 300 and HIST 401.)

 HIST 302.  War in the Modern Age (A, B)                                                                 (3)
Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

General history of Western warfare, surveying the evolution of war, technology, and societies from the Middle Ages in Europe to the conflicts of the present day.

HIST 303.  Studies in Military History (*).                                                                 (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

In-depth study of a particular aspect of military history.  Study may include such topics as leadership, World War II and causes of war.

HIST 306.  History of Women (*)                                                                               (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Study of the roles and changing status of men and women.  (Students cannot receive credit for HIST 306 and HIST 335.)

HIST 308.  Ancient Greece and Rome (B)                                                                  (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

A study of the cultural, intellectual and political development of the Hellenic and Hellenistic traditions and Republican and Imperial Rome. 

HIST 309.  Medieval Civilization (B)                                                                          (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

A study of the cultural, social, and intellectual development of Europe from 300 to 1500 with emphasis on the dynamic character of Medieval Europe.  (Students cannot receive credit for HIST 309 and HIST 409.)

 HIST 311.  Ancient Near East (B, C)                                                                          (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

A study of the cultural, intellectual and political development of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, Asia Minor, Iran, the Indus Valley and the Aegean world. 

HIST 313.  History of East Asia (C).                                                                           (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Survey of East Asian cultures and civilizations with emphasis on China and Japan.  Studies diplomatic, economic, intellectual, political and social aspects of the societies.

HIST 316.  Colonial Latin America (C).                                                                      (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

A topical survey beginning with the conquests of Mexico and Peru by Spain and (to a lesser extent) Brazil by Portugal.  Focus is on the impact on native Americans of Spanish colonialism and on the evolution of Hispanic-American institutions, family and kinship patterns and economic behavior.  (Students cannot receive credit for HIST 316 and HIST 431.) 

HIST 317.  National Latin America (C).                                                                      (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

A general survey of Latin American history from the creation of independent nations until the present.  Emphasis on the economic modernization process and its consequences.  (Students cannot receive credit for HIST 317 and HIST 332.)

HIST 319.  The Middle East (C).                                                                                  (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

A survey of the Middle East from the birth of Islam to the present time, focusing on the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  Emphasizes the great diversity in peoples, cultures and historical development despite the overriding influence of Islam.  Issues include nationalism and colonialism, the emergence of Israel, modernization and development, oil diplomacy and intraregional rivalries. 

HIST 320.  The Vietnam War (A, C).                                                                           (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

History of the war covering the general background,  French and American involvement and the present situation in Southeast Asia.  Focuses on military, diplomatic and domestic aspects of American involvement. 

HIST 325.  African Civilizations (C).                                                                           (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Examines Africa’s social, cultural and economic institutions as they have evolved and changed through the ages.  Topics include human evolution in Africa, state formation, the slave trade, early European contacts and colonialism. 

HIST 326.  20^th Century Africa (C)                                                                            (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Analysis of the events and trends that have shaped Africa and its peoples in the 20^th century.  Topics include the rise of nationalism, the impact of the two World Wars, struggles for independence, the impact of the Cold War, efforts at economic, social and political development in the post-Independence era, Africa in the Age of Globalization.   

HIST 330.  African American History to 1865 (A).                                                    (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Examines the experiences of African Americans from the colonial era to the Civil War and Emancipation.  Topics include the Atlantic Slave Trade, Colonial Slavery and the Revolutionary Era, Antebellum Slavery, the Antebellum Free African American Population, the Civil War, and Emancipation. 

HIST 331.  African American History from 1865 (A).                                               (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Examines the experiences of African Americans from Emancipation to the present.  Topics include Reconstruction, Segregation, both World Wars, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, and Status Today. 

HIST 337, 338.  English History (B).                                                                      (3,3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Familiarizes students with development of social, religious and political influences that have made the modern British Commonwealth.  HIST 337 extends to 1687, HIST 338 after 1687.

HIST 341.  Renaissance, Reformation and Revolution (B).                                       (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

A study of European history from 1300-1815 with emphasis on the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, royal absolutism, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution and Napoleon. 

HIST 342.  Revolutionary Europe, 1789 to 1870 (B)                                                (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Study of modern European history from 1789 through 1870.  Topics include the French Revolution, Napoleon, Revolutions of 1830 and 1848, Industrial Revolution, Urbanization, Liberalism, Socialism and Nationalism.   

HIST 343.  Europe Since 1870 (B)                                                                             (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Study of political events which brought on two World Wars, their economic and social impact on Europe; shift of world power away from Europe; adjustments made in consolidation of European community since 1870.   

HIST 345.  Czarist Russia (B, C)                                                                                 (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Russian history from formation of the Kiev State through World War I and fall of the Romanovs. 

HIST 346, Soviet Russia (B, C)                                                                                   (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Russian history under Soviets.  Domestic and diplomatic policies examined as well as Russian social conditions in 20^th century. 

HIST 349.  Germany:  From Bismarck through Hitler (B).                                        (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Study of German history from 1870 to 1945.  Topics include Bismarck and national unification, World Wars I and II, Hitler and National Socialism.   

HIST 350.  Modern European Intellectual History (B).                                              (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Explores the relationship between thought and its social context in Europe since 1750.  The course draws on philosophical, scientific, and cultural texts, and focuses on the political implications of philosophical reflections, scientific investigation, and cultural criticism. 

HIST 352.  Virginia History (A)                                                                                  (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Comprehensive survey of history in Virginia. 

HIST 354, 355.  American Social History (A).                                                        (3,3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

An intensive study of American life, customs, character and social problems.  HIST 354 covers the colonial era through the mid-19^th century and HIST 355 from mid-19^th century to the present.

HIST 356.  History of American Religious Thought (A).                                            (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Offers a survey of important developments in American religious thought including Puritanism, Transcendentalism, the Social Gospel, Fundamentalism and NeoOrthodoxy. 

HIST 360.  Colonial America (A).                                                                               (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Study of transatlantic expansion of Europe, establishment of English colonies in the New World and their growth and development to 1750.  

HIST 361.  Revolutionary America (A).                                                                      (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Study and analysis of the causes of the Revolution, the War for Independence, the Confederation period and the formation and ratification of the Constitution.  

HIST 364.  American Slavery (A)                                                                               (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Provides an in-depth study and analysis of the institution of slavery as it developed in the United States.  Particular focus will be placed on the institution from the perspective of the slaves themselves.  Topics include the Atlantic Slave Trade, Origins of Slavery, Colonial Slave Systems, Slave Culture and Resistance.

HIST 365.  Civil War and Reconstruction (A).                                                          (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Study of the period 1850-1877.  Social, political, economic, diplomatic and military developments illustrated. 

HIST 368.  The Populist and Progressive Era.  (A).                                                   (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Political, economic and social history from 1880 to 1917.  Special emphasis on the Gilded Age thesis, the role of Populists in American history and contemporary treatment of the origins and aims of the progressive movements.

HIST 370.  The Old South (A).                                                                                    (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Analysis of pre-Civil War development of Southern culture and civilization; attention to political, economic, social and intellectual actors. 

HIST 371.  The New South (A)                                                                                   (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Analysis of internal Southern development since 1865; special attention to political and racial factors. 

HIST 373.  Appalachian History (A).                                                                          (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Inquiry into uniqueness of the Appalachian region including the people and their history, livelihood, religion, speech, music, social mores, folklore and politics.  Emphasis on 20^th century. 

HIST374.  Selected Topics in Appalachian History (A).                                            (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

Provides in-depth study of an issue or development of importance to the Appalachian region of the United States.  Subject or subjects investigated vary from semester to semester. 

HIST 381.  Recent America.  (A)                                                                                (3)Prerequisite:  Three hours of HIST at 100 level.

An in-depth study of major political, diplomatic, economic, social, and cultural developments in U.S. history during recent decades.  

HIST 392.  Special Topics in History (*)                                                                    (3)Prerequisites:  At least three hours of history at the 100 level and advance permission of the instructor. 

Detailed study of topics or period of history of current interest for advanced students.

 HIST 488H.  Honors Thesis.                                                                                       (3)Prerequisites:  Enrollment in the Honors Academy, completion of all Honors Academy requirements, a minimum 3.5 GPA in all courses and in history, senior standing.

Conducting research and writing a thesis for a bachelor’s degree with honors in history.  In order to receive honors credit, the student must receive a grade of “A” or “B” for the thesis.  Course may not be repeated.

 HIST 490.  Internship.                                                                                          (3-15)Prerequisites:  12 hours history; junior standing; minimum 2.5GPA; departmental approval.

A one semester internship with historical agency, society, museum or other relevant institution.  Student receives both academic and agency supervision.  Course does not count toward fulfillment of the requirements for the history major and may be taken only one.  Pass/Fail grading.

HIST 495.  Senior Seminar.                                                                                        (3)Prerequisite:  HIST 295 (completed with a “C” or better); History major; senior standing; or permission of instructor.

A seminar focusing on a topic, or related group of topics in European, United States and/or non-Western history.  This seminar will serve as a senior capstone experience for History majors bringing together critical thinking, research, and communication skills.  This course will concentrate attention upon a particular period or theme of history.  Specific topics of seminars change each semester in accordance with interests of instructors and needs of the department.  This course will encourage engagement in primary and secondary sources, historical analysis and argument, and an understanding of historical interpretation.  Completion of a senior writing project is required.  HIST 495 is required for all History majors.  It may not be used to fulfill coursework in the three fields of required history courses. 

HIST 498.  Independent Study (*).                                                                        (1-6)Prerequisite:  At least three hours of history at the 100 level and advance permission of instructor.

Student works closely with one member of the department who defines the requirements for the course which vary among instructors.  A topic of study is defined and the student works, largely independently, through the semester, to research and report on the topic.  Each instructor will define by nature of the content of the study whether it meets History major requirements in Group A, B, or C.