Courses and Syllabi
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
History Fall 2019
Undergraduate
100-Level Courses in HIST
History of Western civilization from ancient Mediterranean origins through medieval and modern development of Europe to contemporary world. Notes: Students who take HIST 100 may not receive credit for HIST 101 or HIST 102. Equivalent to HIST 101, HIST 102.
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16 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Social, political, economic, and intellectual growth of American institutions from colonization through Reconstruction. Notes: Students may not receive credit for HIST 121 if they have taken HIST 120. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
History of the United States since 1877. Notes: Students may not receive credit for HIST 122 if they have taken HIST 120. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Analytical approach to world history overview that surveys major features of principal existing civilizations of world, as originally formed and as altered by key global processes including forces of modernity. Limited to three attempts.
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35 Sections Currently Scheduled »
200-Level Courses in HIST
Focuses on skills, methods of learning, and subject matter to introduce discipline of history. Notes: Topics vary. Equivalent to SYST 202.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Surveys history of China and Japan from prehistoric times to ca. 1600. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Surveys colonial era to 1825. Emphasizes interactions of United States, Latin America. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— Joan C. Bristol — 09:00 AM to 10:15 AM MW —
Nguyen Engineering Building 1103
Survey of Middle Eastern history from rise of Islam to present, emphasizing processes that led to emergence of economic, cultural, social, and political institutions that characterize region today. Surveys period from rise of Islam in 570 to medieval period (ca. 1258) Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
300-Level Courses in HIST
Introduces research skills and methods, as well as historical interpretation, culminating in written and oral presentations. Notes: Topics vary according to instructor. History majors strongly urged to take HIST 300 as soon as possible after reaching 30 credits. Grade of C or better is required to graduate with BA in history. Students may repeat HIST 300 only with permission from the Department of History and Art History and repetitions are limited. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Political, social, economic, and cultural history of classical Greece from development of the city-state through 5th century. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— Scott Lawin Arcenas — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR —
Planetary Hall (formerly Science & Tech I) 206
Two world wars, the Great Depression, and political and cultural revolutions transformed Europe as never before. Explores causes and consequences of these tumultuous events, and concludes with consideration of reconstruction that caps period. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Political, diplomatic, economic, social, and cultural development of Germany from dissolution of Holy Roman Empire to present. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Political, social, and cultural development of Russia from early times to the end of the 19th century. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Russia and the Soviet Union from the early 20th century to the present. Focuses on the Russian Revolution and the political, social, cultural, and economic developments of the Soviet and post-Soviet eras. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
In this course, students will analyze texts that Americans have treated as “scripture.” Students will read texts that present themselves as scripture, such as selections from the Book of Mormon and a Holy Sacred and Divine Roll and Book (a Shaker text). They will also read texts that have attained a sort of canonicity within American culture, such as the Declaration of Independence and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Students will thus gain more than a valuable familiarity with a variety of American religious traditions. They will also reflect on the way that, even in a digital age, texts continue to shape American identity. Equivalent to RELI 334.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
History of African American experience in United States including African origins; trans-Atlantic slave trade; development of slavery in colonial, revolutionary, and antebellum periods; abolitionist movements; and African American participation in Civil War and during Reconstruction. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines the roots of American sport in colonial play and recreation, the emergence of organized and national sports, issues of gender and race in the sporting world, and the intersection of U.S. sport with events such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
History of South during Reconstruction, Redeemer era, and New South, with particular emphasis on race relations. Covers political, economic, cultural, and intellectual development from aftermath of war. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
China from 1644 to the People's Republic of China. Emphasizes coming of West and various stages of Chinese reaction. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
History of Japan from World War II to present. Examines Japanese experience of several key moments: Japan's defeat in Pacific War, reconstruction during U.S. occupation, rise to economic prominence during 1960s and 1970s, and cultural and international identity crisis during 1980s and 1990s. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines forms of conquest and colonization practiced by Aztec, Inca, Spanish, and Portuguese in what is now Latin America. Includes role of ideology and religion in imperial rule, use of warfare to create empires and colonies, and implementation of political and economic systems to rule subject people. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 001
— Joan C. Bristol — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM MW —
Nguyen Engineering Building 1103
Analyzes the history of the American Civil War from its origins in the late 18th century to the withdrawal of federal troops from the south in 1877. Examines the political, social, and economic issues that led to war; the home fronts, war leadership, diplomacy, combat motivation, and grand strategy; problems associated with reconstituting the nation's political institutions; and the integration of millions of newly freed slaves. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Focuses on career choices and effective self-presentation for soon-to-be graduating students with majors in the humanities. Explores how skills typically learned in humanities majors can be leveraged for a successful transition to post-graduation employment. Equivalent to ENGH 303, FRLN 309, PHIL 393, UNIV 420.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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Section 002
— Lisa Koch — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM T —
Enterprise Hall 77
Study of historical topics or periods of special interest in global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern history. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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5 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Study of historical topics or periods of special interest. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Study of historical topics or periods of special interest. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Teaches the fundamentals of information technology within the context of a history course. Students learn fundamentals and skills as well as how our society became so enamored of and dependent on these knowledge and information tools. Understanding a new technology requires understanding how new technologies transform the societies that embrace them. Emphasizes the use of free and open-source software whenever possible. Limited to three attempts.
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5 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Introduces students to issues and methods in preserving history and presenting historical information to a variety of audiences through museum exhibits, websites, public commemorations, and other means. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Approved work-study programs in cooperation with specific organizations including area museums; archives; historic sites; and local, state, and federal agencies. Notes: Credit determined by department. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
400-Level Courses in HIST
Surveys history of women in Islamic society from rise of Islam to present day. Examines historical processes that affected role and status of women in society, and specific topics around which issues of gender status and identity coalesced, especially in modern period. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Research on specialized historical topic culminating in seminar paper and oral presentation. Synthesis course; students expected to integrate knowledge and skills acquired in Mason Core courses. Notes: Subject determined by instructor. Student may present no more than 3 credits for graduation credit. Must receive passing grade to graduate with BA in history. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Topics in HIST
Study of historical topics or periods of special interest in global, Latin American, African, Asian, or Middle Eastern history. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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5 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Study of historical topics or periods of special interest. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Study of historical topics or periods of special interest. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Graduate
500-Level Courses in HIST
Investigates selected problems in global and comparative history, covering multiple countries or world regions. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Discussion of readings and historical interpretations and compilation of a comprehensive bibliography on given theme. Notes: Topics announced by instructor. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
600-Level Courses in HIST
Methodology of the historian including techniques of research, use of documentation and other sources, development of bibliography, and synthesis of material. May not be repeated for credit.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Readings and discussion of bibliographies, interpretations, and research trends in topics selected by instructor. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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5 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Investigates breakdown of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, and role of revolutionary ideology of republicanism. Discusses leadership and policies of republic in hostile international context. Students read extensively in monographic literature and prepare research paper. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Investigates selected problems. Readings, discussions, development of bibliographies. Primary sources used where possible. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Dimensions of religion and religious experience in early America, from the beginnings of European settlement into the mid-to-late nineteenth century. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Addresses specific topics in applied history selected by the instructor, with emphasis on combining theoretical analysis and readings with attention to practices and skills of applied history. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 15 credits.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Covers specific topics in history and new media selected by the instructor, with an emphasis on combining theoretical analysis and readings with hands-on projects and problem-solving. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Students with limited computer competency should consult department before enrolling. Introduces changes that new media and technologies are bringing to how we research, write, present, and teach about the past. Students explore theoretical and historical issues as well as learn hands-on skills in digital history. Notes: Students with limited computer competency should consult with department before enrolling. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Provides students with advanced conceptual and technical skills to enhance historical practice and research in the digital arena. Focuses on in-depth analysis of theoretical frameworks and on developing proficiency in a variety of programming languages and tools for humanistic and historical research. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
700-Level Courses in HIST
All internship placements must be approved by the department to ensure suitability to student's program. Introduces applied history through work and study at historical museum, site, library archive, editing project, or other approved agency. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Research in specialized topics using primary sources. May be repeated for credit when topic is different, or with same topic with permission of the department. Equivalent to HIST 711, HIST 731, HIST 751.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
800-Level Courses in HIST
Introduces array of scholars and scholarship through discussions of innovative historical events, important theories, and significant methodological breakthroughs in history. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
900-Level Courses in HIST
Work on research proposal that forms basis for doctoral dissertation. May be repeated within the degree.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Doctoral dissertation research and writing under direction of student's dissertation committee. May be repeated within the degree.
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5 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Topics in HIST
Investigates selected problems in global and comparative history, covering multiple countries or world regions. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Discussion of readings and historical interpretations and compilation of a comprehensive bibliography on given theme. Notes: Topics announced by instructor. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Readings and discussion of bibliographies, interpretations, and research trends in topics selected by instructor. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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5 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Investigates selected problems. Readings, discussions, development of bibliographies. Primary sources used where possible. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
