History (Minor)
Pamela O'Brien, Ph.D., Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Business
Jennifer L. Erdman, Ph.D., Chair
Anne E. Henderson, Ph.D.
Adam Knight, Ph.D.
Degrees offered
Campuses
Traditional Undergraduate
The Minor in History equips students to analyze and interpret events of the past with the goal of building a better future. It offers a strong grounding in political and cultural history in the United States and the world. The Minor is distinctive for its focus on the role of women in history, as well as issues of justice and peace throughout human history. It offers unique perspectives on historical problems of war, revolution, genocide, racism, religious intolerance, and violence against women, and provides students with experiential learning opportunities to explore the contemporary implications of these issues.
Students must earn a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 in all courses taken to complete the requirements of the History Minor.
The following courses fulfill the general education requirement in Thinking Critically and Analytically: HIS-228 World History Since 1500; HIS-250 History of American Pop Culture.
The following courses fulfill the general education requirement in Understanding and Valuing Diverse Identities and Perspectives: HIS-355 Women and Work.
The following courses fulfill the general education requirements
Thinking Critically and Analytically: HIS-217, HIS-228, HIS-250,
Understanding and Valuing Diverse Identities and Perspectives, Diversity: HIS-207, HIS-215, HIS-252, HIS-317, HIS-323
Understanding and Valuing Diverse Identities and Perspectives, Intercultural: HIS-290, HIS-320, HIS-328, HIS-338
Becoming an Engaged Citizen: HIS-160, HIS-216, HIS-219
Programs of Study
Minor in History
The Department offers a Minor in History consisting of a minimum of 18 credits of course work in history. HIS-101 Dynamics of History, HIS-228 World History Since 1500 or HIS-456 Junior/Senior Seminar in History is required. The other courses are chosen in consultation with the department chair. Students who wish to Minor in History should consult the department chair.
Courses
GEO-206 Geography of the Major Regions Of the World
HIS-101 Dynamics of History
HIS-103 Ancient World
HIS-104 Early Europe: 800-1648
HIS-160 Introduction to Peace Studies
This is an introduction to peace and justice studies. The course focuses on negative peace (i.e., eliminating direct violence, including war) as well as positive peace building (fostering an equitable economic system and ecological balance). The course analyzes the roots of violence and inequity as well antidotes to these problems. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies, history and Engaged Citizenship. [3 credits]
HIS-200 Hrs: To Break the Killing Machine: Understanding, Preventing, and Overcoming Genocide
HIS-203 Colonial America
HIS-206 The United States in the 19th Century
HIS-207 Ethnic Groups in America
This course analyzes American history through the lens of ethnicity, including for those indigenoous to the United States and those who emigrated to the US. Included in this course will be the examination of intersectionality and systems of power and privilege. Special attention will be paid to historical iscriminatory patterns that continue to marginalize members of ethnic communities. Satisfies the General Education requirements in Impact of Diversity, history and
cross-cultural studies. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-208 The United States:1900-1945
HIS-211 Introduction to East Asian Civilization
HIS-215 Women in American History
Surveys the historical significance of women's changing roles in American society from the colonial period to the present. Emphasizes differences on the basis of race, class and region. Fulfills general education requirements in history, gender studies, and Impact of Diversity. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-216 The United States, 1945 to the Present
Examines major themes in United States history since 1945. It will compare contending political, social, and economic perspectives from this time period while examining selected ethical issues of the era. Students will engage in a team building exercise and engage in a civic and/or service learning project. This course satisfies the General Education requirements for Engaged Citizenship and history. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-217 United States History Since 1865
Explores United States history from the end of the American Civil War to the present day. We will examine how the U.S. has changed socially, politically, demographically, economically, and ideologically since 1865. Students will discuss diverse perspectives and will also analyze primary and secondary sources to create a final project based on historical evidence. By the end of the semester, students will have identified several key themes of historical change, including the fight for human rights, the place of America in the world, economic development, and the political and social role of religion, gender, race, and sexuality. Satisfies General Education Requirements in Thinking Critically and Analytically and History. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-219 The American Presidency
Examines presidential power, presidential elections, foreign and domestic policy, presidential decision-making, and relations with Congress with historic and contemporary examples. Fulfills general education requirement in Engaged Citizenship and history. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-221 Early Modern Europe
HIS-222 Europe: 1848 to Present
HIS-228 World History Since 1500
Introduces students to the history of the modern world. Students will examine political, economic, and social changes of the last five centuries, focusing on the relations between societies and cultures and how they have shped the modern world. Emphasis will be placed on the rise of industry and technology, the changing role and nature of conflict, the worldwide evolution of political and religious ideologies, global and culture-specific shifts in gender roles, the development of international interdependence, and the impact of social movements on world history. Fulfills general education requirements for history and cross-cultural studies and thinking critically and analytically. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-230 People and Life in Maryland
HIS-233 Europe and the World
Examines Europe's changing world role from 1800 to the present. The course will focus on the major 19th century events as well as World War I, World War II, the Cold War and the post-Cold War periods. Fulfills general education requirements for history and cross-cultural studies. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-235 Post-Communist Experience
HIS-242 Fashion and Power
Examines fashion as a manifestation of political and social power. Beginning in the 16th century and spanning the globe, the course explores how clothing and fashion have been produced, consumed, and deployed as tools of domination, imperialism, and profit--and also of self-expression, subversion and resistance. Students will analyze fashion in relation to identity (racial, religious, gender, class, cultural); social and political status; national and global hierarchies of power; and the assertion of human and cultural rights. Fulfills general education requirement in impact of diversity. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-250 History of American Popular Culture
Examines popular culture throughout American history, from the colonial period to the modern era. Incorporates the analysis of film, television, music, theater, and the internet. Discusses the origins of American popular culture and how popular culture impacted and interacted with the United States politically, socially, and culturally. Fulfills general education requirement in Thinking Critically and Analytically. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-252 Latin American History and Politics
Analyzes the history and politics of Latin America, studying how socieities evolved from the colonial period through independence and the formation of nations, military and personal dictatorships, and the current era of imperfect democratization. The course compares how the countries of Latin America have contended with issues of power and inequality, including income disparities, racial and ethnic discrimination, forced megration, environmental injustice, patriarchal gender norms, cultural divisions, and the fole of religion. It also evaluates the complex history of Latin American countries' unequal relationship with the United States. Fulfills general education requirements in history and impact of diversity. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-260 Top/Themes Russian Hist
HIS-261 Winning the Vote: The History of Women's Suffrage in America
HIS-290 Gender in Islamic Societies
Examines the historical development and current realities of gender roles in Islamic societies. The course explores the political, cultural and economic diversity of gender roles in Muslim countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. It examines how gender identities have been affected over time by international developments such as colonization, democratization, the rise of fundamentalism and globalization. Students learn how Muslims of all genders have defined
themselves, and been defined, in the realms of political/social activism, work, the arts and culture, and family. In addition, students critically analyze Western perceptions and sterotypes of gender roles and identities in Islamic societies. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies, gender studies, and the impact of diversity. Fulfills general education requirements in cross-cultural studies, gender studies and impact of diversity. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-303 Women in the Ancient World
HIS-312 From the Poor House to the Great Society: A History of Welfare in the United States
HIS-317 The African American Experience
Examines the experiences of African Americans in the United States from the 17th century to the civil rights movement of the mid-20th century. Fulfills general education requirements in history, cross-cultural studies and Impact of Diversity. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-320 The African Diaspora
Examines the historical experiences of Africans in the African Diaspora with a focus on the international dimensions and commonalities. Studies the creation and definition of the African Diaspora as well as the distinct cultural perspectives that make up the Diaspora. Identifies the chronology of significant events in Diaspora history, and the struggle by Africans to obtain social, political and economic equality in their respective global locations. Satisfies the General
Education requirement in Intercultural Knowledge, history, and cross-cultural studies. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-323 Black Women in American History
Examines the historical experiences of African American women from the colonial period to the present. Focuses on the impact of race, culture and ethnicity; the chronology of significant events in African American women's history; significant contributions by African American women; and the struggle for social, political and economic equality. Fulfills general education requirements in history, gender studies and Impact of Diversity. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-325 Revolution and Terrorism
Traces the causes, patterns and outcomes of 20th century Revolutions, and analyzes the similarities and differences between revolutionary movements and guerrilla and terrorist groups. The course looks at the ideological, ethnic and religious terrorist groups with a special emphasis on religious terrorism and its worldwide impact. Fulfills general education requirements in history and cross-cultural studies. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-327 Slave Freed/Afr Am Exp Md
HIS-328 Post-Colonial Africa
HIS-331 Modern China
HIS-335 Modern Japan
HIS-338 Russia Since 1917
Examines multiple perspectives on the history of the Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union, and on how that history has influenced today's Russia. Focuses on how Russian culture and history have shaped, and been shaped by, Russia's interaction with other nations. Paying particular attention to Russia's transformation since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the course analyses how the turbulent evolution of Russian culture, political, and economic institutions could affect the future of Europe and the world. Fulfills general education requirements in history and intercultural knowledge. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-340 History of the Holocaust
Uses original and secondary sources, including memoirs, survivor and perpetrator testimonies, films, and scholarly texts, to examine the history of the Holocaust. Examines the nature, causes, and consequences of the Holocaust, and introduces students to the controversies surrounding its analysis, meaning, and legacies. Fulfills the General Education Requirement for History. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-346 History of Middle Eastern Politics
HIS-350 Harlots and Helpmates: The History of Women in Europe, 1750-1945
HIS-352 Honors: Educating Women in the United States
HIS-355 Women and Work: The American Experience
Examines the historical origins of the current status of women in the American work force with a focus on the effects of technological and economic change, on social attitudes toward working women, and on women's efforts at unionization. Pays attention to differences among women on the basis of race and class. Fulfills general education requirements in history and gender studies and impact of diversity. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-370 Honors: The City in History
HIS-372 Classical Archeology
HIS-380 History and Politics of Conspiracy Theories
Examines the history and political impact of conspiracies and conspiracy theories throughout American History. Many believe that conspiracies are a 21st century phenomenon, yet they have impacted the social, economic, and political fabric of the United States for centuries. This course will explore both legitimate conspiracies as well as conspiracy theories, along with their consequences. Students will be able to identify the characteristics of a conspiracy theory by enhancing their media literacy and civic awareness. Satisfies the General Education requirement in History and Engaged Citizenship. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-390 Environmental Policy at the U. S. State and National Level
Focuses on U.S. state and national environmental policies regarding air and water pollution, use of public lands, climate change and alternative energy sources. The course will also focus on risk assessment, environmental justice issues, and new and emergent attitudes regarding them. Students will analyze the historical development of policies as well as current and evolving political processes and the debates surrounding them. Students will engage in a team building exercise and will participate in either a civic participation and/or a service learning project. Satisfies the General Education in Engaged Citizenship. Registration is limited to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. First year-students may register with instructor permission. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-402 Women, War and Peace
Examines the wartime experiences of women. Addresses question of how perceptions of women and "female nature" inform attitudes about women's wartime roles. Uses historical monographs, literature, art and film to examine and evaluate the relationship between war and gender. Also assesses women's role in the international peace movement. Fulfills general education requirements in history and gender studies. [ 3 credits ].
HIS-404 United States Foreign Relations in the 20th Century
Examines United States foreign relations from 1900 to the post-Cold War Era. Focuses on the Cold War, its aftermath and the fallout from September 11. Fulfills general education requirement in history. [ 3 credits ]
HIS-410 Law and Society in America
HIS-427 Study Tour
HIS-456 Senior Seminar in History
Applies ideas, methods, and approaches from history, political science, and international studies to the exploration of selected topics. Students situate their discipline within the context of related fields, while also advancing the skills necessary for professional work in their own areas. In this team-taught course, history majors address the selected topic through focusing on the history of history, the politics of history, and the art of writing history based on original sources. All students will, in consultation with their professors, select, design and write an original research paper to be presented to the class at the end of the semester. Serves as the capstone course for history, political science, and international studies majors and minors eliminate prerequisites. [3 credits]