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This course explores the years of national development from Jacksonian America to the end of the 19th century through the popular literature of the era, examining American self-idealization and reform, commercial and early industrial development, continental expansion, regionalism, slavery, and the growing issues of race, gender, and class. Special attention is given to the Civil War and to the experiences of women, immigrants, Native Americans and African Americans. Taking HIST 101 before this course is highly recommended. (Spring 2026)
Core: HI
HIST 321 Modernizing America, 1870-1940 (3 SH)
This course is a study of the United States during the "Modern" period, a time when the country moved from a booming but tattered nation reeling from a civil war to an international giant with immense military and industrial power. Major themes include industrialization, economic vitality, immigration, urbanization, the Social Gospel and Progressive movements, normalization, World War I, the rise of the "New Negro," and the New Deal. Taking HIST 102 before this course is highly recommended. (Fall 2024)
Core: HI
HIST 340-345 Topics in History and Gender (3 SH)
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A study of the Italian and Northern Renaissance movements and a careful examination of the 16th-century reformations, both Protestant and Catholic. Besides cultural, intellectual, religious and political aspects of the period, social history and gender themes will be considered. Students will get to know diverse personalities such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Bloody Mary, and Martin Luther and be able to understand them in their historical contexts. (Spring 2024)
Core: HI
HIST 365 Mennonite History and Thought (3 SH)
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The origins of many modern realities are found in 17th- and 18th-century Europe: imperialism, liberalism, conservatism, representative government, skepticism, religious tolerance, standing armies, laissez-faire capitalism, and a faith in science, reason and technology to bring about progress. This course uncovers these origins through a survey of political, social, economic, gender and cultural history from 1550 to 1815. Major themes include religious warfare, the witchcraft craze, overseas expansion, Rembrandt's Amsterdam, the Scientific Revolution, absolutism and constitutionalism, the Enlightenment, and the French Revolution, culminating in Napoleon's empire. Students will try to grasp the mentality of the era through philosophy and literature from the times and through historical film. (Fall 2024)
Core: HI
HIST 411 The History of Recent America (4 SH)
This writing intensive course begins with World War II and then marches through the Cold War, suburbanization, the civil rights movements, and the ever-expanding U.S. presence in global issues via the study of multiple cultural texts (novels, films, music, memoirs, etc.). Major themes include radical political movements, Vietnam, Watergate, TV culture, the Religious Right, and current political and social issues. Special attention is paid to U.S. involvement in global activities from the end of the Cold War to the present, with a strong emphasis on what "makes America American." Taking HIST 103 before this course is highly recommended. (Fall 2024)
Core: HI & WI
HIST 432 History of the Middle East (3 SH)
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A history of Europe from the French Revolution to the present. Themes include revolution, industrialization, women's suffrage, militarism, imperialism and genocide, the rise and fall of communism, the world wars, fascism, the reunification of Eastern and Western Europe, the emergences of the European Union, and current issues such as immigration, terrorism and neo-nationalism, and the splintering of the E.U. (Fall 2023)
Core: HI
HIST 499 Independent Study (1-3 SH)
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