Spring 2009 Course Descriptions
500-700 Level
500-level courses are for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Prerequisite for ALL 500-level courses: either the completion of six semester hours of 300-level History courses or the permission of the instructor.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE! Always check the University online schedule for the latest changes.
HIS 502 - African American History: Selected Topics
10110 M 6:30-9:20
Loren Schweninger
Examining America's great paradox--slavery in a land of liberty--the course examine important issues involving race and slavery in American history. Beginning with West Africa and the Atlantic Slave Trade, it will consider slavery during the colonial and national periods, emphasizing the years between the American Revolution and the Civil War. The course will ask, among other questions, how and why the "peculiar institution," as it was called, endured for nearly two-and-a-half centuries.
HIS 508 - Latin American and Caribbean History: Selected Topics
13631 MW 3:30-4:45
Antonio de la Cova
A study of the twentieth century Mexican, Cuban and Nicaraguan revolutions, the insurgent movements that they have spawned, and United States policy toward them. Emphasis on Cold War issues, rural and urban guerrilla organizations and theories, leadership, counterinsurgency doctrines, and liberation theology.
HIS 511A - Seminar in Historical Research and Writing: "The Black 70s"
10111 W 3:30-6:20
Watson Jennison
Writing and Speaking Intensive. Prerequisite of one 300-level Research Intensive (RI) history course.
This class will investigate the decade following the peak of the civil rights movement, a period that has largely been overshadowed by the tumult and fame of the preceding years. The 1970s were a time of dramatic change for black Americans as they sought to capitalize on the hard-fought victories of the previous two decades. Popular depictions of black culture in the 1970s revolve around black power, dashikis, and afros. We will move beyond the clich�s and stereotypes connected with this period to investigate the ways in which blacks translated the legislative victories of the civil rights era into reality. Students will write a research paper exploring an aspect of the cultural, political, and economic transformations of the 1970s.
HIS 511B - Seminar in Historical Research and Writing: European
10112 R 3:30-6:20
Anne Barton
Writing and Speaking Intensive. Prerequisite of one 300-level Research Intensive (RI) history course.
The twelfth century in medieval Europe has been variously described as a period of renaissance in arts and culture, a period of persecution by centralized bureaucracies, and a period of �discovery of the self.� During this period, whether one�s view of it is positive or negative, western European society transformed itself into something quite different than what it had been before. It is possible to look at this transformation from a variety of perspectives: economic, religious, social, cultural, and political. Possible topics which illuminate one or more of these perspectives include heresy (the Cathars), popular religion (Franciscans and Dominicans), scholastic thought (Anselm or Abelard), chivalry (courtly literature), crusades (to the Holy Land or in Europe itself) and growth of kingship (especially in England and France.)
In order that students may choose their topics with some knowledge of the period, we will begin the semester by reading a variety of primary and secondary sources together. Students will complete written analyses of these sources and use them to discover an appropriate topic to research. By the end of the semester, each of the students will have written and revised a 15-25 page research paper on his or her topic of choice.
HIS 546 - American Cultural History: "Material Culture and Consumer Culture"
10114 TR 3:30-4:45
Lisa Tolbert
This course is designed as an advanced reading seminar focusing on the critical perspectives and methods of historians who study American cultural history. The course is designed with two basic goals in mind: 1. To introduce you to the interdisciplinary practice of cultural history, and 2. To explore key periods in the development of American culture from the colonial era to the early twentieth century. The central theme of the course this semester is "material culture and consumer culture." We will explore the evolution of consumer culture in the United States from the so-called �consumer revolution� of the eighteenth century through the development of a mass consumer market in the twentieth century. We will pay particular attention to the contributions of material culture scholars for our understanding of the social and political dynamics that have shaped consumer culture in American history.
HIS 547 - History Museum Curatorship: Collections Management
10115 R 6:30-9:20
Jon Zachman
Professional practices in the care and management of historic site and history museum collections, including priniciples of collection development, object registration, cataloging, and preservation. Same as IAR 547. Prerequisite: Admission to a graduate program in history or interior architecture, or written permission of instructor.
HIS 548 - Architectural Conservation
10116 R 9:00-11:50
Jo Leimenstoll
Overview of contemporary architectural conservation principles, practice and technology. A series of field exercises, group projects and investigation of an individual research topic expand upon lectures and readings. Same as IAR 548. Prerequisite: IAR 301, IAR 332, or written permission of instructor.
HIS 564 - Modern Britain: �Rule Britannia� to �Cool Britannia�: Britain in the Twentieth Century
10117 TR 2:00-3:15
Kaarin Michaelsen
�Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free. How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee? Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set; God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.� � Lyrics to �Land of Hope and Glory,� Britain�s unofficial national anthem, 1901.
�God save the Queen, the fascist regime. They made you a moron, potential h-bomb! God save the Queen, she ain�t no human being. There is no future in England�s dreaming!� � Lyrics to �God Save the Queen,� the Sex Pistols, 1977.
In 1901, Britain stood poised to enter the twentieth century as the world�s sole great power, both literally � at that juncture, it ruled over nearly 400 million people on five continents � and figuratively, as a center of global finance and culture. Three-quarters of a century later, however, the picture appeared far less rosy: Britain�s empire had all but evaporated, it teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, and its society exhibited sharp cleavages along racial and class lines. Indeed, by 1977, the angry cries of the Sex Pistols spoke for legions: there really did seem to be �no future in England�s dreaming� for many Britons, especially its youth and members of its minority communities. In this course, students will examine how Britons managed � though not entirely successfully � to navigate the tumultuous twentieth century, focusing on how the social, political, gender, and racial boundaries established during the Victorian period were radically re-shaped by the events of the years 1901-2001. Among the topics covered will be Britain�s experiences with the First and Second World Wars, the dissolution of the empire, post-war immigration, the �mod� culture of the 1960s, feminism, the punk movement, the Thatcher Revolution, New Labour�s �Cool Britannia� campaign of the late 1990s, and the on-going efforts to forge a peaceful, multi-racial, multi-cultural Britain in the 21st century. The course format will consist primarily of group discussions of assigned readings selected from the work of historians (e.g. Angus Calder, Marcus Collins), as well as a rich variety of primary sources (e.g. political speeches, music, novels). Students will be expected to participate extensively in the discussions and debates and will also be required to write several short (5-7 pages) essays based upon the course readings.
HIS 588: Asian History: "History of the Chinese Frontier"
10118 M 3:30-6:20
Jamie Anderson
This course will present a survey history of relations between China and its neighbors, covering the larger events of political, social and cultural exchange. While remaining �China-focused,� we will explore the ways in which the various peoples have existed in the region for over two thousand years, fighting during much of this time for both political autonomy and cultural self-identity. Some of the topics we will explore include the fluid, border-less nature of the frontier between South China and northern Southeast Asia, a study of Late Imperial China�s �Southern Silk Road,� China's tribute relations with various southern maritime kingdoms, and a broad study of pre-modern Chinese frontier management throughout the empire. It is the desire of the instructor that, after the completion of this course, we will have a larger historical context in which we can more clearly evaluate the events of the last 50 years. Comparing and analyzing various scholarly works, we will write our own history of the Chinese frontier and, in the process, reveal how the present informs our understanding of the past.
HIS 589: Experimental Course: Museum Education
14400 M 6:30-9:20
Edith Brady
Open to graduate students only
This course surveys the basic principles and practices of museum education, emphasizing facilitated experiences. Through reading works by researchers and practitioners in the field, students will explore the kinds of learning that occur in museums and how that learning takes place. As well, students themselves will practice the skills and techniques utilized by museum educators. Prerequisite: Admission to a graduate program in history or interior architecture.
Prerequisite for all 600- 700 level History courses: Admission to a graduate program in history or interior architecture, or written permission of instructor.
HIS 625 - Preservation, Planning, and Law
10119 W 3:00-5:50
Autumn Michael
An examination and analysis of the relationship of government programs and policies, community and regional planning strategies, and legal case precedents to the field of historic preservation. Same as IAR 625.
HIS 627 - Museum and Historic Site Interpretation: Principles and Practice
10120 T 3:30-6:20
Benjamin Filene
This seminar explores the relationship between history and public audiences, focusing on the theory and practice of telling stories through museums and historic sites. It introduces students to the tools that public historians use to interpret the past, explores key dilemmas in public interpretation and community collaboration, and examines contemporary models for how best to reach audiences in ways that make history meaningful. Topics include learning theory, audience evaluation, oral history, photography and material culture, living history, historic houses, and exhibits. The course will culminate in a collaborative local history project, planned and produced by the students for a public venue. Same as IAR 627.
HIS 628 - ID and Eval. of the Hist. Built Environment
10121 R 2:00-4:50
Heather Fearnbach
Methods, techniques, and theories of researching, analyzing, documenting, and evaluating the historic built environment. Includes architectural survey field methods, documentation techniques, archival research, and approaches to evaluating historic significance. Same as IAR 628.
See the M.A. FAQ for more information about the following:
HIS 690 - Internship
HIS 692 - Advanced Topics
HIS 697 - Independent Study
HIS 699 - Thesis
Written permission is required to register for these courses.
HIS 702 - Colloquium in American History
10128 702-01 Charles Bolton M 6:30-9:20
10129 702-02 Lisa Levenstein W 6:30-9:20
Issues of historical interpretation from Reconstruction to the present.
HIS 704 - Seminar in American History
10131 Graduate Faculty
Research and writing on selected topics in American history.
HIS 706 - Colloquium in European History since 1789
10173 T 6:30-9:20
Jeff Jones
Interpretations of selected historical problems from the French Revolution to the present.
HIS 708 - Seminar in European History
10174 Graduate Faculty
Research and writing on selected topics in European history.
HIS 709 - Introductory Research Seminar
10175 709-01 Phyllis Hunter T 6:30-9:20 (American)
RIOTS AND REVELS IN EARLY AMERICA, 1600-1860
Public gatherings and group rituals provide an important window into social relations and construction of unity or division within communities. In this research seminar, we will examine how other historians have explicated crowd actions, political protests, parades, and celebrations from 1630 to 1860 and use primary and secondary texts to explore how historians gather and process evidence, develop interpretations, and produce a finished piece of work that contributes to the field. Designed for graduate students, the course offers an opportunity to further develop the research and writing skills necessary for advanced work in history. Each student will produce a substantial final paper based on primary sources. Students will be encouraged to select a paper topic related to the theme of riots or revels in a class or community. Ideally the paper you complete for this course may be the beginning of a published article.
HIS 715 - Atlantic World Selected Topics: "The Atlantic Slave Trade"
10176 W 3:30-6:20
Linda Rupert
The transatlantic slave trade lasted for over four hundred years and was responsible for the largest migration of people in the early modern Atlantic world. This course introduces students to the range of significant historical themes and issues that played out in this process, the major trends in the historiography, and the variety of historical sources that are available. We will analyze the transatlantic slave trade as part of a sophisticated economic system and as a powerful shaper of societies and cultures across the Atlantic world, as well as a brutal racialized form of human exploitation. We will also explore the pedagogical challenges of teaching this complex and highly-charged topic. It is highly recommended that you take HIS 710: Atlantic World Colloquium before taking this course.
HIS 722 - Early America: "Beyond the Atlantic World"
10177 R 6:30-9:20
Phyllis Hunter
From the fantasy of Eastern riches engendered by the travels of Marco Polo that inspired the European exploration of the new world to Russian plans for dominating the Pacific and the West Coast of America in the early nineteenth century, Americans and their history have always been implicated in a world-wide circulation of people. In this readings course we will move beyond the framework of the Atlantic World and explore early American connections to the wider world. Often these connections develop not only through the movement of peoples but also through commerce in goods and ideas. In this readings course we will explore how historians have tackled America�s global connections in a variety of times and places.
HIS 724 - Selected Topics in 20th Century US History
14503 MW 2:00-3:15
Tom Jackson
HIS 740 - Selected Topics in European History: "History of Anti-Semitism"
10178 R 3:30-6:20
Karl Schleunes
200-300 Level Courses | Advising Center | Catalog | Courses
