History
Hist 206, 207 — World Civilizations 3, 3
These sequential studies of world civilizations begin with earliest histories
of organized human life in China, India, Africa, and Mesopotamia and end with
Europe's emergence from the Middle
Ages around 1500 (206). Moving from the Renaissance through the collapse of
Communism, Europe's impact upon the world alongside unique developments in Africa,
the Americas, and Asia, are evaluated in terms of attempts to retain their traditional
cultural identity in light of wars, new technologies, scientific discoveries,
and intense interactions with foreign cultures (207). Taught Fall (206) and
Spring (207) semesters each year.
Hist 236, 237 — American History 3, 3
Political, economic, and social development of the United States from the age of exploration through the Civil War (236); and from Reconstruction to the present (237). Taught each Fall (236) and Spring semester (237).
Hist 300 — Cultural Minorities 3
An examination of the culture, heritage, and institutions of Native Americans and Black Americans. Emphasis on the history, culture, thought, and institutions of the Native Americans of North Dakota. Spring
Hist 305 — Jefferson and Jackson 3
Examination of this critical period in American History, with emphasis on the democratization of politics, economics, and society. Taught as needed.
Hist 307 — Civil War and Reconstruction 3
Study of this pivotal period in American History (1852-1877). Examination of the causation and development of the Civil War and Reconstruction period. Taught as needed.
Hist 310 — History of North Dakota 3
Examination of social, political, and economic evolution of the State from the earliest Native Americans to post-World War II. Taught as needed.
Hist 320 — Economic History of the United States 3
Economic growth of the United States and its impact on American Society, politics, and economy. Taught as needed.
Hist 330 — History of the West 3
Study of successive frontiers accompanying movement from East to West, with
emphasis on the social, economic, and political influences of the frontier on
American History. Taught as needed. 133
Hist 335 — Modern Germany 3
Beginning with the impact of the French Revolution on the Germans, Germany, and the Germans have played a key role in basically all European affairs in modern European history. Modern German history in the 19th Century is concerned primarily with attempts to create a modern unified state of all Germans. Where the liberal-national revolutions in 1848 failed, conservative nationalists succeeded in unifying Germany in 1871. Wilhelmine Germany struggled with the forces of nationalism, industrialization, and an antiquated social system. Propelled by frustration and illusions of power, German leaders took their state into the First World War. Defeat in 1918 brought in its wake a weak Weimar Republic and set the stage for the rise of Hitler's National Socialists. The Second World War resulted in Germany's defeat and division for the next 40 years. Following the collapse of Communism, East and West Germany reunified in October 1990. Taught as needed.
British history since 1485 is a history of the development of parliamentary democracy and of a vast colonial empire, including large portions of North America, the South Pacific, India, and Africa. British social and cultural norms came to dominate the thought and behavior of large segments of the ruling elites within the empire. While British political and legal ideas were catered to fit local needs within the colonies, British economic strength added the stability necessary for these ideas to become an integral part of colonial life. British history is, consequently, a truly global experience. Taught as needed.
Historical survey of change and continuity in the powers, functions, and structure of the presidency in the United States. Taught as needed.
A history distinct from that of Europe and America, the Russian Empire stretched from Afghanistan to the Arctic Circle, and from Germany to California. More than 100 languages were spoken within its borders. In its earliest history, Kievan Rus looked to Byzantium for religious inspiration. Under the thumb of the Golden Horde, Russia would not experience a Renaissance or Reformation. Beginning with the reign of Peter the Great, Russia strove to reestablish its European roots. Lodged between Europe and Asia, Russia's rulers through Nicholas II remained true to a vision of Russia encapsulated in the ideas of orthodoxy, nationalism, and autocracy. Taught as needed.
Beginning with the origins of Russian radicalism in the 19th century, the Russian Revolutions of 1917 bring Imperial Russia to its end. While largely a political history within the global context of the Cold War, Soviet internal and foreign policies were guided by the leaders of the Communist Party. While domestic policies focused on economic objectives, Soviet foreign policy evaluated competing political and social systems through the lens of its ideology. Similar to Imperial Russia, the Soviet Union proved incapable of internal political reform and failed to provide the economic growth its propaganda had promised. On the other hand, the Soviet Union served as the political and military counter to the United States and deserved of the title super-power for over 40 years. Taught as needed.
Hist 360 — History of the Far East 3
The Far East embraces one of the world's oldest civilizations and better than a quarter of its population. Focusing on the history of China and Japan since the earliest times, their ideas, namely Confucianism and Taoism, have guided politics and society throughout Asia and the world. Taught as needed.
This era of politics and society from the decline of the Roman Empire through the 14th Century has often been falsely described as the Dark Ages. A time of Vikings, Germanic migrations, and feudalism, European civilization revived in the West through powerful secular leaders like Charlemagne and with the reintroduction of Christianity. Western Europe then exported its vision of the world through crusades against the Islamic world. In the East, Byzantium retained its ties to a Greek and Roman past until its final collapse in the 15th Century. Taught as needed.
Hist 380 — Cultural and Intellectual History of Modern Europe 3
A history of the development of major ideologies, beliefs, and intellectual trends in the 19th and 20th centuries, this course also investigates artistic and philosophical critiques of culture and society. Taught as needed.
Hist 385 — 20th Century America 3
History of the United States in the 20th Century, with emphasis on the Progressive
Movement, World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II and its aftermath.
Taught as needed. 134
Hist 390 — American Diplomatic History 3
History of foreign relations and policies of the United States, with emphasis on the changing role of the U.S. in world affairs. Taught as needed.
Hist 395 — The Holocaust in Historical Context 3
Beginning with a brief history of Judaism, the Holocaust is the study of Anti-Semitism and the series of events which led to Europe's greatest human disaster in modern history. Taught as needed.
Hist 410 — American Social History 3
Survey of American social history with emphasis on the importance of the average American on the historical development of the U.S. Taught as needed.
Hist 440 — The World Since 1890 3
While similar to World Civilizations, the world since 1890 has been molded by European capitalism, industrialization, and rising nationalism prior to the First World War. From the ashes of war rose new totalitarianisms, namely, fascism, Hitler's National Socialism, and Stalinist Communism. These secular humanisms plunged Europe and Asia into a Second World War. The new bipolar world — the communist versus the democratic — took the world to the brink of atomic disaster before the demise of Communism in the 1980s. Taught as needed.
Hist 291, 491 — Seminar in History 3, 3
Under the guidance of the instructor, students apply research methods to in-depth analyses of topics in history. The seminar format emphasizes student participation in discussions and student presentations of their research. Research, writing, and communication skills are emphasized. Taught each year.
Hist 294, 494 — Independent Study in History 1-3, 1-3
Directed study and research in subject areas of history for which a student has a special interest.
Hist 297, 497 — Internship in History 3-6, 3-6
Students are placed in agencies which apply the methods and content of history for the purpose of gaining insight into the connection between academic study and work experiences. The methods which students use to report on their experiences varies by instructor. The number of hours spent as an intern depends on the number of credits. Offered on the basis of faculty and student interest.
Hist 299, 499 — Readings, Special Topics in History 1-3, 1-3
Readings and appropriate related projects in single areas of history or interdepartmental areas. Offered on the basis of student and faculty interest.