History

Examination of key issues in modern European history, such as the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, Marxism, Imperialism, the Russian Revolution, Stalin, Fascism, Cold War, and post-Cold War. Students who receive advanced placement exam credit in European history with a score of three or better may not enroll for credit in HST 100. AP hours do not count toward the minimum hours for a major or a minor.

A broad survey of the early development of political, cultural, social and religious life in the West. Topics will include studies of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Rome; medieval Europe and the Middle East; and Europe during the Renaissance and Reformation. Students who receive advanced placement exam credit In European history with a score of three or better may not enroll for credit in HST 110. AP hours do not count toward the minimum hours for a major or a minor.

A topics course in world history that may be taken more than once if the specific topic is decidedly different from previous options taken. Students who receive advanced placement credit in world history with a score of three or better may not enroll for credit in HST 115. Students with the same requisite scores on AP European history at the discretion of the department may be allowed to take HST 115 for credit. Three hours credit/Four credits in Jan Term. Students may count only two of the three 100-level courses on a history major or minor. 

First-Year Seminars (FYS) constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse. All incoming first-year students are required to take a 3- or 4-credit hour FYS course in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with a common course number.  Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix but with a common course number. Special emphasis is given to cultivating critical thinking, effective speaking, and writing skills. 

First-Year Seminars (FYS) constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse. All incoming first-year students are required to take a 3- or 4-credit hour FYS course in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with a common course number.  Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix but with a common course number. Special emphasis is given to cultivating critical thinking, effective speaking, and writing skills. 

A survey of US History from colonial times to the present. HST 201 deals with the period before 1877. The department accepts AP credit. AP credits do not count toward minimum hours for a major or minor. 

A survey of US History from colonial times to the present. HST 202 deals with the period after 1877. The department accepts AP credit. AP credits do not count toward minimum hours for a major or minor. 

A study American history and film and/or television.

A course on a special topic not in the regular curriculum. HST 291 courses will introduce the methods of inquiry, analysis, and interpretation used in the discipline of history. If the topic is different, the course may be taken more than once. 

This course is team taught by members in two departments and is open to Nisbet Honors Program participants and to others who meet Honors Program guidelines. All students registering for these courses must register not only through the Honors Program but also with their adviser and the Registrar’s Office.

The educational experience of a lifetime! A course on a special historical topic with an exciting travel component.  See firsthand the places where history happened.  HST 303 courses will introduce the methods of inquiry, analysis, and interpretation used in the discipline of history.  If the topic is different, the course may be taken more than once.

A survey of African-American history from colonial times to the present. 

A study of 19th century American history. Special topics vary. 

A survey of the history of England from the beginning of the Hanoverian Dynasty to the present. 

A study of a selection of Shakespeare’s plays within the context of Tudor and early Stuart history. In addition to class lectures and discussions, students will attend productions of the Royal Shakespeare Company in London and Stratford and visit sites connected with the history of the time. Cross-listed with ENG 330. Offered in the London Term.

A study of women in American history from The Colonial Era to the present. 

An examination of the era surrounding the First World War. The course will include a study of Europe in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, concentrating on the rising power of nationalism and the drive for world conquest that is known as the New Imperialism. It will also focus on the war itself, from its causes to its conduct to its thunderous significance in shaping the modern world. 

Political, social and cultural history from 1815 to the present. 

A history of the British Empire in America, Asia, Africa and Australia/New Zealand. 

Special topics in Environmental History. 

A study of the historical background of the Vietnam War with assessment of the American experience in Vietnam. Emphasis is on Vietnam as a case study in the American foreign policy/national security process. Attention is given to the “lessons of Vietnam” and its role in assessing contemporary military conflicts. Cross-listed with POL 375. 

A readings course on women’s lives in various non-Western traditional cultures. Cross-listed with POL 402. 

A study of the founding and development of America. 

This is a course on political violence and genocide in the 20th century as depicted in film. This course focuses on very disturbing material, including institutional, personal, sexual, and other forms of violence.

Obviously, it is not for those who cannot handle this excessive violence.

A study of the US from the end of the Revolution through the Jacksonian Era. 

A study of Westward expansion, the Old South, the abolitionist crusade, the Civil War and Reconstruction. 

A study of history of the Southern United States in the so-called New South period--the years from Reconstruction to the present. 

A study of the US from the end of World War II to the present. Cross- listed with POL 441. Offered on demand. 

A study of the institutions and functioning of foreign policy/national security decision-making as well as selected topics of the Cold War and contemporary events. Cross-listed with POL 455. Offered on demand. 

A study of American history and film and/or television.

A survey of best practices in public history, both as a career and field of study. Travel fees may apply.

An introduction to Islamic politics and to the comparative and developmental issues of the Arab world and the larger Middle East. The approach will be historical as well as contemporary. Cross-listed with POL 470 and REL 470. 

This course is a seminar that uses epic films to open up discussion of the history of modern imperialism. Watching a mixture of Hollywood and foreign films, students will read about imperialism and analyze both colonies and colonizers in light of their screen depictions. Topics may include methods of colonization, the role of technology in imperialism, the roles of women in colonies, and/or indigenous cooperation and resistance.

A study of the modern conflict over the region of Palestine. The course will examine the religious, cultural, and historical background of the combatants; the troubled heritage of the Ottoman and British Empires in the region; Zionism; terrorism and counter-terrorism; the establishment and expansion of the state of Israel; the wars between Arabs and Israelis; the experience and resistance of Palestinian Arabs; and attempts to make peace. 

A study of Latin America from its pre-Columbian origins to the collapse of the Spanish Empire in the 1820s. Writing Intensive. 

A course in methodology, research, and writing for history and politics majors. Students will write a senior thesis in the course. Cross-listed with POL 480. Offered annually in Fall Term. A student must have a 2.0 GPA in the major to enroll in this course. Capstone.

A course on a special topic not in the regular curriculum. If the topic is different, the course may be taken more than once for credit. Offered on demand.