Course Descriptions

HISTORY (HI) 

HI 151 World Civilizations I (3)

A multicultural approach to studying the world’s early civilization, it examines their political, social, economic and cultural evolutions. It focuses on the lives, work and service of Confucius, the Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammed and other individuals who made meaningful impacts on the moral ethical development of humankind. Along with historical knowledge, the course emphasizes the development of reading, writing, speaking, cognitive and collaborative skills crucial to success in college and beyond. Offered every semester.

HI 152 World Civilizations II (3)

A multicultural approach to studying the world’s modern civilizations, it examines their political, social, economic and cultural evolutions. It focuses on modern moral and ethical dilemmas such as the colonization of peoples, world wars, genocide programs, women’s rights and the ecological consequences of industrialization. Along with historical knowledge, the course emphasizes the development of reading, writing, speaking, cognitive and collaborative skills crucial to success in college and beyond. Offered every semester.

HI 201 America through Civil War (3)

Starting with the convergence of European, African and Native American cultures in the sixteenth century, this course studies the multicultural history of the United States through its civil war. It focuses on the lives, work and service of Thomas Jefferson, Tecumseh, Harriet Tubman and other individuals who made meaningful impacts on the moral and ethical development of the nation. Along with historical knowledge, the course emphasizes the development of reading, writing, speaking, cognitive and collaborative skills crucial to success in college and beyond. Offered annually.

HI 202 America since Civil War (3)

A study of the political, social, economic and cultural history of the United States since its Civil War. It focuses on the moral and ethical dilemmas associated with immigration, industrialization, economic depressions, world wars, the Cold War, the rights of women, African Americans, Native Americans, and other groups. Along with historical knowledge the course emphasizes the development of reading, writing, speaking, cognitive and collaborative skills crucial to success in college and beyond. Offered annually.

English 102 and Communication 101 are prerequisites for all upper division courses.

HI 301 Early America (3)

American history from 1492 to 1815, analyzing the formation and growth of European colonies in America, their break with the British Empire and the formation of the United States of America. Offered alternate years.

HI 302 American Civil War Era (3)

American History from 1815 to 1877, examining the Age of Jackson, the growth of sectionalism, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction. Offered alternate years.

HI 304 American Between the Wars (3)

American history from 1917 to 1945, it examines the Prohibition, organized crime, the Ku Klux Klan, the “monkey trial” over the teaching of evolution, the migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North, the Great Depression, the New Deal and the isolationist foreign policy of the 1920s and 1930s. This course integrates history and literature through the writings of Sinclair Lewis, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck and Zora Neale Hurston. Offered alternate years.

HI 305 Contemporary America (3)

Analyses of the forced that shaped contemporary American, focusing on the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the counter-cultural movements of the 1960s. Fulfills interdisciplinary course requirement. Cross-listed with POL 305. Offered alternate years.

HI 321 Ancient Europe (3)

Analyzes Ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman history, politics, and culture. Focuses on political leaders such as Pericles, Julius Caesar and Augustus; philosophers such as Pythagoras, Socrates, Plate and Aristotle; poets/dramatist such as Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. This course also examines how these civilizations viewed and treated women. Offered alternate years.

HI 322 Medieval Life and Thought (3)

This course integrates the perspectives of history and religion into the study of medieval Europe (ca. 500 to 1500 A.D.). Religious history combines insight into the nature of religious experiences and structures with a proper understanding of their political, economic, and social setting. Fulfills interdisciplinary course requirement. Offered alternate years. Cross-listed with RE 322.

HI 323 Pre-Modern Europe (3)

Emergence of Europe as the most dynamic region on earth between 1500 and 1815, including subjects such as the Renaissance, reformation, beginnings of modern science and modern nations, and the first global economy. Offered alternate years.

HI 324 Modern Europe (3)

Europe from 1815 to the present gained global hegemony and then lost it after World War II. Analyzes developments leading to the world wars and the Cold War, the rise of the European Common Market, and the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe. Fulfills interdisciplinary course requirement. Cross-listed with POL 324. Offered alternate years.

HI 341 Vietnam War (3)

This course examines why the United States went to war in the jungles of Southeast Asia that few Americans knew anything about. Students will examine the nature of the war itself, the tactics and strategies applied by both sides to the conflict, and experiences of soldiers on both sides. Central to the war effort, the home fronts held the keys to success or failure for both sides. Along with historical and political knowledge, the course emphasized the development of reading, writing, speaking, cognitive and collaborative skills.  Cross-listed with POL 341. Offered alternate years.

HI 344 Modern Southeast Asia (3)

This course surveys the history of Southeast Asia from the nineteenth century to the present. It considers the nature of the traditional communities of Southeast Asia, the imposition and impact of western colonial rules, the emergence and activities of anti-colonial movements, the formation of sovereign states, the effects of the Cold War, and contemporary politics. Fulfills Global Awareness course requirement. Cross-Listed with POL 344. Offered alternate years.

HI 401 U.S. Constitution I (3)

Examines the nature of law and constitutionalism in the United States, with an emphasis on the struggles for power and calls for accountability from various sectors. Cross-Listed with POL 401. Offered alternate years.

HI 402 U.S. Constitution II (3)

Examines the evolution of civil liberties in the United States, including free speech, religious liberties, rights of the accused and the right to privacy. Cross-Listed with POL 402. Offered alternate years.

HI 403 American Diplomacy (3)

A study of America’s international relations from 1776 to the present, including the influence of domestic affairs on diplomacy. Cross-Listed with POL 403. Offered alternate years.

HI 405 African Americans (3)

This course is designed to examine the uniqueness of the African American experience and to show the integral part African Americans played in the history politics and culture of the United States. Using a variety of sources including books, letters, diaries, autobiographies, fiction, and film, this course will explore the public and private lives of African Americans and their impact on American society. Offered alternate years.

HI 406 Women in America (3)

This course is designed to explore women’s experiences both as an integral part of American history/politics and as a distinct and exciting perspective on studying those fields. Using a variety of sources including books, letters, diaries, fiction, and film, this course will examine the public and privates lives of American women of divergent class, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds from the colonial era to the present. Offered alternate years.

HI 407 History of Rock-n-Roll (3)

Examines the dynamic force that helped to shape contemporary American society and culture; looking at its roots in black gospel and blues, folk, country-western, and pop; and following its evolution from rhythm and blues, folk rock, acid rock, heavy metal, disco, punk, and rap. Offered alternate years.

HI 418 International History of the Cold War (3)

This course considers problems and issues that affected different regions of the world as those problems and issues related to the Soviet-American rivalry, or the Cold War, between 1945 and 1991. Specifically, it explores the origin of the Cold War; its implications for the United States and the Soviet Union; its impact in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia; and the collapse of Sovietstyle communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union itself. Cross-Listed with POL 418. Offered alternate years.

HI 419 Contemporary World Order (3)

This course considers the rapid changes and new challenges facing humanity in the contemporary era. Using the “Rise and Fall of Great Powers” as its conceptual background, this course explores the emergence of a new world order, with special emphasis on the rise of China and other emerging market economies, accelerated globalization (i.e., the economic, cultural, and political integration of global communities), growing economic and social inequalities, as well as new social movements and key security issues. Cross-listed with POL 419. It is offered alternate years. Fulfills either the interdisciplinary or global awareness requirement.

HI 422 Pre-Modern Russia (3)

Explores the beginning, flourishing, and decline of the Russian Empire from the first Slaves until the October Socialist Revolution of 1917. The course will provide insights into Russian lifelong hidden behind the “iron curtain” including the history of Russian spirituality, literature, ballet, theater, folk art and other aspects of Russian culture. Classes are augmented by slides and demonstrations of Russian folk arts. Offered alternate years.

HI 424 Modern Russia (3)

Explores the history of Russia from the Socialist Revolution of 1917 to the present. The course of historical events and the main trends of life in contemporary Russia will be recounted and analyzed. Great works of Russian philosophers and writers, composers and artists will be interwoven with the historical observations, as well as the customs of Russian daily life, beliefs, traditions, and habits. Classes are augmented by slides, videos and materials from the Russian media and taped interviews with Russian veterans and politicians, housewives, and university students. Offered alternate years.

HI 438 Globalization and Capitalism (3)

This course introduces students to the study of political economy. It surveys the thought of political economists ranging from Adam Smith, Karl Marx and Joseph Schumpeter to contemporary thinkers. It also analyzes the contemporary global capitalist system as it affects inequalities, varieties of capitalism, U.S. competiveness, the dynamics of the international financial system and the sustainability of the globe’s environment. Cross-listed with POL 438. Fulfills either the interdisciplinary or global awareness requirement.

HI 439 Global Financial Crises (3)

The international financial crisis that originated in the U.S. subprime mortgage market has deeply affected the global political economy. It indicates a shift in economic power away from the advanced economies of Europe, the United States and Japan to rapidly emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil. Indeed, the crisis is likely to trigger fundamental changes in the institutional architecture of international finance and the geo-economic landscape of globalization. This course aims to provide a macro-perspective on the evolution of the global financial system since 1850, an analysis of the origins of the 2008 Financial Crisis and the likely consequences of this crisis for the global political economy to students. Cross-listed with POL 439. Fulfills either the interdisciplinary or global awareness requirement.

HI 442 Modern China (3)

Examines China’s internal and external struggles in the modern world. Including the rise and fall of the China dynasty, the Nationalist period, the civil war and communist rule. Fulfills either interdisciplinary or global awareness requirement. Cross- listed with POL 442. Offered alternate years.

HI 443 Pre-Modern Japan (3)

The Shinto religion’s reverence for nature, the Heian aristocrat’s penchant for the subtle and the sublime, the samurai warrior’s insistence on loyalty and honor, and Zen Buddhism’s reminder that nothing lasts come together to form the culture that produced Tanka/Haiku poems, the tea ceremony, Noh drama, the Bushido (warrior) Code and the world’s first great novel The Tale of Genji. Offered alternate years. Fulfills Global Awareness course requirement.

HI 444 Modern Japan (3)

Study of the rise, fall and rebirth of Modern Japan, focusing on her internal politics, economics and culture, and how they relate to her internal posture. Cross-listed with POL 444. Fulfills either interdisciplinary or global awareness requirement. Offered alternate years.

HI 446 Modern Middle East (3)

A study of the modern history, politics and culture of the Middle East, with emphases on the Arab-Israeli conflict, oil, Islam and the analyses of different governments and policies. Cross-listed with POL 446. Offered alternate years.

HI 450 Pre-Modern Hawaii (3)

This course is designed to broaden the understanding and appreciation of Hawaii’s oral tradition and its impact on the development of Hawaii’s history during the pre-Western contact era. Emphasis is placed on the lineal descent of significant heredity chiefs of Hawaii, Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i. The student will gain deeper appreciation of the importance of Oral tradition and Oratory. Fulfills Global Awareness course requirement. Offered alternate years.

HI 451 Modern Hawaii (3)

This course examines the political, economic, and cultural forces that shaped modern Hawaii and its people from first contact in 1778 to Hawaii’s overthrow, annexation and through the present day. Cross-listed with POL 451. Fulfills Global Awareness course requirement. Offered alternate years.

HI 452 Pre-Modern Pacific Islands (3)

This course examines the settlement of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia and their colonial experiences from first contact through the 18th century. This course focuses on the indigenous development of this diverse region as well as the cross-cultural experiences of colonialism. Fulfills Global Awareness course requirement. Offered alternate years.

HI 453 Modern Pacific Islands (3)

This course examines the impact and legacy of imperialism and colonialism on the indigenous inhabitants of the Pacific. Examining the Pacific from the 18th century to the present, this course focuses on the emergence of the Pacific as a distinct and influential region in today’s global community and how indigenous islanders have adapted and fared during this post-colonial period. Cross-listed with POL 453. Fulfills Global Awareness course requirement. Offered alternate years.

HI 475 History and Politics of Film (3)

This course is an inquiry into the relationship between film, history, and politics. It will examine how film is shaped by the politics, economics and culture of the society in which it is created. It will also study how film reflects that culture. It will relate how class, gender, ethnicity and other issues relate to the making and interpreting of film. Questions on morality, justice, service and community will be central to the course. Cross-listed with POL 475. Offered alternate years.

HI 480 Special Topics (3)

Selected topics in history to be announced.

HI 490 Directed Study (3)

Individualized study of a topic arranged through the program advisor. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

HI 494 Research Seminar (3)

This is a capstone course that explores the core principles and methodologies of historical and political studies. It also monitors the students’ career preparation. In this course, the student will conduct research in history and political science (learning outcome 4). Utilizing this research, the student will write a research paper and present it in class (learning outcome 4). The research paper written by the student will incorporate the following principles and methodologies: understanding change, continuity and causality (learning outcome 1), comprehension of the workings of politics and governance (learning outcome 2), awareness of perspectives and interpretations (learning outcome 3). During the course, the instructor will review the progress of each student in preparing for his or her career (learning outcome 5). Offered Fall Semesters. Prerequisites: Students must be in their junior or senior year; will complete a minimum of 18 credits of the major in the semester they enroll in HI/POL 494; and have the permission of the discipline coordinator to enroll in this course.