Course Descriptions

Department of History
Bloomsburg University

Prerequisites are subject to modification by the instructor

 

42.100 Transatlantic World in the 20th Century (3) - Represents an analysis comparing and contrasting the experiences of Americans and Western Europeans in the 20th century. Focuses on the decay of Western traditions, the dilemma of the individual in an increasingly complex society and the rise of "technocratic" civilization. Provides insight into roots of current events, promotes sense of historic awareness beyond the national level and enhances appreciation of basic similarities and differences among Americans and Western Europeans.

42.112 Origins of the Modern World (3) - Describes the political, economic, social, intellectual and military developments that shaped the story of mankind from the early Renaissance to the early 19th century.

42.113 The Modern World (3) - Reviews the political, economic, social, intellectual and technological elements of 19th and 20th century history, showing the progress of the Western tradition and the growing importance of the non-Western world.

42.121 United States History Survey: Colonial Period to 1877 (3) - Presents a chronological history to 1877 with emphasis on foreign affairs and the evolution of politics, economs, society and culture.

42.122 United States History Survey: 1877 to the Present (3) - Presents political, social, cultural, intellectual, economic and foreign affairs developments of the United States from Reconstruction to the present.

42.133 The Ancient and Medieval Worlds (3) - Surveys from the Ancient Near East to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West, emphasizing Greece, Rome and the rise of Christianity; a study of the people and countries of the West that emerged after the fall of the Roman Empire, with emphasis on feudalism, manorialism and the medieval church.

42.141 The Modern Far East (3) - Focuses on modern China and Japan and closely studies the value system of these peoples as reflected in their politics, arts and communications in the 19th and 20th centuries. Particular attention paid to the interaction between the old models provided by Confucianism and Buddhism with the models provided by the West during modernization. Not offered every semester. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.142 Latin America: From European Colonization to the Present (3) - A concise introductory survey of Latin American history from 1492 to the present, stressing the significant economic and social factors in its evolution. Not offered every semester. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.143 Black Africa (3) - Presents a survey of the transformation of the societies of Sub-Saharan Africa from colonialism to national independence. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.144 Islamic and Hindu Worlds: Middle East, India and Malaysia (3) - Introductory course surveying the religious, cultural, economic and political history of the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Malay Archipelago and their bearing on contemporary Third World problems. Not offered every semester.

42.208 Contemporary Issues in U.S. History (3) - Examines selected issues of social, political or foreign affairs within a historical context, describing the origin, evolution, current significance and importance in American society. The issues may vary each semester.

42.210 Values in Conflict in 20th Century History (3) - Presents select American conflicts in the 1960s involving values of the individual and the civilization; resolutions achieved are reviewed and evaluated. The selection of conflicts varies each semester. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.215 Global Issues in History: A Conflict of Values (3) - Introduces the historical and global nature of many of today’s critical issues that have far reaching consequences. Population explosion, famine in the underdeveloped world, energy crisis, terrorism and the spread of nuclear weapons are illustrative of some of the issues that will be examined. Attention will be given to defining values as related to these issues.

42.222 Business History of the United States (3) - Focuses on the evolution of business from 1600 to the present, entrepreneurial leadership of major businessmen and the history of major modern industries.

42.223 Economic History of the United States (3) - Focuses on the changing nature of the American economy. This course covers three time periods: the commercial-agricultural age, the industrial age and the modern managerial age. Examines agriculture, banking, business administration, commerce, labor, manufacturing, mining and transportation, social and political factors that contributed to changing economic relationships in the United States.

42.224 The Immigrant Experience (3) - Provides an overview of cultural diversity in American society by focusing on the history of immigration from the colonial period to the present. Students examine ethnicity in America through the study of political, economic, religious and social issues; industrialization and urbanization; attitudes of nativism, discrimination and racism; and powerful influences of immigrant kinship networks, ethnic community associations, cultural traditions, religious institutions and ethnic group identity. Lectures include new historical interpretations of cross-cultural relationships and new assimilation theories. Not offered every semester. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.226 Popular Culture in America (3) - Review of major forms of popular culture in America from colonial beginnings to the present, telescoped to permit fullest presentation of the period since 1920. Course blends continuity of values and ideas in American culture with dynamics of change to which the culture constantly adjusts. Not offered every semester.

42.228 African-American History (3) - Examines the nature and meaning of the African-American experience in the United States surveyed from its beginnings to the present. Reviews black creative expressions in the visual arts, music, literature, philosophic thought and social history. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.229 Modern World Leaders (3) - Studies significant world leaders in religion, politics, war and culture and their impact on world history. Focuses on different leaders each time offered and covers a selected period from the Renaissance to the present. Analyzes the conditions which helped produce these leaders and ends by discussing reasons for their success or failure. Includes only leaders who have made a significant contribution outside their national boundaries.

42.250 History of Science(3) - Studies historical development of the sciences and the nature of scientific thought and method; provides understanding of the characteristics of the sciences as well as their significance to human progress from antiquity to the present. Not offered every semester.

42.260 Sport and Society in America (3) - Presents a cultural approach to organized sport in the United States; proceeds from the premise that sport mirrors the values, states of technology and the conditions of society. Emphasizes the rise of the institution of sport and its impact on business, commercialism, leisure, affluence, urbanism, nationalism and the problems of governance and law. Not offered every semester.

42.281 Military History I (3) - Studies organized warfare from its origins to the last campaign of Napoleon I, concentrating on strategy and tactics. Examines moral and social problems raised by warfare. Not offered every semester.

42.282 Military History II (3) - Studies organized warfare and the theory of war from the Napoleonic age to the present, concentrating on strategy and tactics. Examines the socio-political background, especially of the two world wars and the age of guerrilla warfare. Not offered every semester.

42.315 Origins of Civilization: The Ancient Near East (3) - Surveys known origins of civilization in the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia and Syria-Palestine, with some attention to India and China. Not offered every semester. Prerequisite: 42.133 or consent of the instructor.

42.318 Early England: The Making of an Island State (3) - Reviews political, economic, social and cultural life in England to the Glorious Revolution. Not offered every semester.

42.319 Modern England: The First Industrial Empire (3) - Examines political, social, economic and cultural development in England from the Glorious Revolution to the present with emphasis on the development of democracy, the Industrial Revolution and the growth and decline of the British Empire. Not offered every semester.

42.320 French Revolution and Napoleon (3) - Analyzes 1789-1815 era in France and assesses its significance for the history of France and the world. Not offered every semester. Prerequisite: 42.112 or consent of the instructor.

42.324 Revolutionary Europe and the Rise of Modern Traditions, 1600-1789 (3) - Discusses the rise of the modern state; the political, intellectual, social, economic and cultural aspects of the eras of the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment; the establishment of European world hegemony and a world economy; the diplomatic and military interaction of the European states. Not offered every semester.

42.326 Europe 1789-1914 (3) - Analysis of Europe’s "long nineteenth century." with particular emphasis on the nexus of political and social history. Not offered every semester.. Prerequisite: 42.113 or consent of the instructor.

42.327 Europe in the Age of Total War, 1914-1945 (3) - Examines origins of World War I and alliance systems that fought it, diplomacy, military strategy, tactics of the war and the peace treaties of 1918-1920, plus the rise of Mussolini, Stalin, Hitler and the lesser dictators along with the international crises that finally culminated in the outbreak of World War II. Course stresses ideological and global pattern developments. Not offered every semester.

42.328 Cold War Europe, 1945-Present (3) - Surveys European powers in the late 1930s with emphasis on the forces leading to war; military and diplomatic developments of World War II and the causes of the East-West rift; the reconstruction of democratic Europe and formation of the Soviet bloc; European integration and political trends in both power systems. Not offered every semester.

42.329 The American Woman (3) - Studies the history of women in America from colonial times to the present; topics include women’s work, family life, politics, sexuality, education, feminism and reactions against it and the many facets of women’s public and private roles in the nation’s history. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.335 History of Christianity (3) - Promotes student analysis of the ancient, medieval and modern roots of contemporary Christian denominations and movements. Primary and secondary historical sources are discussed seminar-style in order to critically examine important ideas, personalities and historical conditions of Christianity. Prerequisite: Any course in history or consent of the instructor.

42.336 Medieval Europe (3) - An analysis of European history from 300 to 1400, focusing on political, social, religious and intellectual trends during the period. Feudalism, church history and commercial relations receive particular emphasis. Examines the status of women in medieval society. Prerequisite: 42.112.

42.337 Europe in the Renaissance and Reformation (3) - A detailed analysis of European history from 1300 to 1650, focusing upon the intellectual and artistic movement known as the Renaissance and the religious upheaval associated with the terms "Reformation" and "Counter-reformation." Political, social, intellectual and religious trends are highlighted. Prerequisite: 42.112.

42.346 Modern European Intellectual History (3) - Relates changes in currents of thought during the period to political, economic and social developments. Special attention given to interpretations of major intellectual movements. Not offered every semester.

42.347 History of the Holocaust (3) - Focuses upon the major theme-the genesis and implementation of the planned destruction of European Jewry from 1933 to 1945; briefly traces the history of anti-Semitism and evaluates scope of prejudice, discrimination and genocide in contemporary civilization. Includes an analysis of literature of the Holocaust and evaluation of the Holocaust’s impact on modern-day Israel or the world Jewish community. Not offered every semester.

42.356 Russia to 1917 (3) - Analysis of Russian political and social history from the ninth century to 1917, with emphasis on the 18th and 19th centuries. Not offered every semester.

42.372 Colonial America and the War of Independence (3) - Reviews European colonization in North America with major attention to the establishment and development of England’s colonies, an emerging American society and problems which created conflict between the Americans and the British resulting in the American War of Independence. Not offered every semester.

42.374 U.S. Social History (3) - Focuses on everyday life in the past and how ordinary people made history and were affected by historical change. Emphasis on family life, as a way of exploring issues of race, gender and ethnicity. Prerequisites: 42.121 and/or 42.122.

42.379 The New Nation: United States, 1781-1845 (3) - Reviews the impact of the democratic experiment on government, the economy, culture and society. Among subjects studied are political parties, railroads, popular music and anti-slavery. Not offered every semester.

42.381 Civil War, Reconstruction and Industrialization: United States, 1845-1896 (3) - Surveys the causes of the Civil War, the war itself, reconstruction and industrialization. Topics include politics, ideology, military technology and tactics, race and gender issues, the economy, labor, immigration and popular culture. Prerequisite: 42.121.

42.383 Shaping of Contemporary America, 1896-1941 (3) - Examines during these years major changes: imperialistic adventures, reluctant but expectant involvement in World War I, the "flaming ’20s," and the nation’s greatest depression. Out of these emerges the modern mass-centered welfare state. Not offered every semester.

42.385 Recent American History: 1941 to the Present (3) - Examines the major political, economic, social-cultural and intellectual developments in the United States from 1941 to the present. Cold War, Korea and Vietnam, turmoil of the 1960s, nuclear concerns and the role of the individual in an increasingly complex, technological society are some of the major themes examined. Not offered every semester.

42.388 Pennsylvania (3) - Examines major contributions of Pennsylvania to national life, relations between state and national movement. Not offered every semester.

42.391 Diplomatic History of the United States to 1898 (3) - Presents a critical analysis of United States foreign relations from the Colonial Period to the 1898 war with Spain. Not offered every semester.

42.392 Diplomatic History of the United States Since 1898 (3) - Presents a critical analysis of United States foreign relations from the war with Spain in 1898 to present. Not offered every semester.

42.395 African-American Radicalism in the 20th Century (3) - Examines the major black radicals and their philosophies and movements in 20th Century America. Special emphasis will be be placed on the following figures: W.E.B.DuBois, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Toure), Angela Davis, Amiri Baraka, the Black Panther Party and Louis Farahkhan of the Nation of Islam. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.397 Independent Study in History (1-4) - The topic selected must be approved by a committee appointed by the chairperson. Independent reading and/or research related to some aspect of history is supervised by an appropriate member of the department. A student may register for this course no more than twice and credits may not exceed 4 semester hours. See the section on Independent Study. Prerequisite: 60 semester hours.

42.398 Research and Writing Skills (3) - Focuses on the development of proficient research and writing skills. Students learn to fully utilize library and research facilities; develop skills in analyzing and interpreting original/primary research documents; and produce a clear, concise and well-written lengthy formal paper. In addition, students develop an understanding of how and why history is written and revised.

42.404 Topics in American History (3) - Seminar allows students to focus on a specific topic or related topics in American history for in-depth study and analysis. Includes historiography of the chosen topic, discussion of problems associated with the topic and production of a research paper. Topics vary from semester to semester.

42.416 The Classical World: Ancient Greece and Rome (3) - Covers ancient Greek and Roman history and culture. Greece: emphasis on Aegean civilizations, the age of Pericles and the Hellenistic age after Alexander the Great. Rome: emphasis on early monarchy and republic, imperial expansion, the Pax Romana and the decline and fall of the empire; concluding with the Barbarian age and the rise of Byzantium. Not offered every semester. Prerequisite:42.133 or consent of the instructor.

42.452 Soviet Russia (3) - Presents a critical analysis of the political, social, economic and cultural evolution of the Soviet Union and a study of Soviet foreign policy. Not offered every semester. Prerequisite: 42.113.

42.453 Problems of Contemporary Latin America (3) - Analyzes recent events or movements that may indicate recurrence of historical problems or major developments of international significance in selected countries of Latin America. Not offered every semester.

42.460, 42.461 Topics in European History (3) - Investigates select topics in European history. Seminar-style course studies variety of problems in European history, in the medieval, early modern and modern periods. Discusses and analyzes secondary materials on the history, philosophy, politics, science and art of a chosen period. Research paper required. Topics vary from semester to semester. Prerequisite: 42.112 or 42.133.

42.469 Women and Gender in European Intellectual History I (3) - Investigates the condition of women, of female views concerning that condition and the view of males concerning women, over the course of western history. Women and Gender I covers the ancient, medieval and early-modern periods (c.650 BC - 1650 AD). Prerequisite: two 100-level courses in history or consent of the instructor. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.470 Women and Gender in European Intellectual History II (3) - Investigates the condition of women, of female views concerning that condition and the view of males concerning women, over the course of western history. Women and Gender II covers the Scientific Revolution to the present (c.1550-1995). Prerequisite: two 100-level courses in history or consent of the instructor. Approved for diversity requirement.

42.472 History of Labor in the United States (3) - Surveys the emergence and development of organized labor from the post-Civil War period to the present. A third of the course is devoted to an analysis of contemporary labor-management problems and labor’s changing role in our increasingly technological society. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours in history.

42.497 Internship in History (3-12) - Provides a work-study experience jointly administered by an academic faculty member and a sponsoring employer, with about 40 hours of supervised work generating each semester hour. Prerequisite: For history majors, 15 semester hours of history, including 42.398. Other majors may enroll with consent of advisers. Note: A student may not apply more than 3 semester hours of internship toward the fulfillment of the history major, although a student may enroll for more than 3 semester hours of 42.497.