History Courses Offered

The following courses are offered within the History Department:

 

HIST 105: World Civilizations I (3 credit hours – Fall)

This course covers the history of the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, and European civilizations to the year 1500. Its goal is to give students an understanding of the history and diversity of world cultures as well as the common experience of being human.

 

HIST 106: World Civilizations II (3 credit hours – Spring)

This course is a continuation of History 105, covering the history of European, Asian, African, and American civilizations since 1500. It emphasizes political, social, cultural and economic change, as well as encounters and conflicts within and among civilizations.

 

HIST 130: World Geography (3 credit hours – Odd year Fall)

This course is designed to give students an introduction to world geography. It deals with the distribution of human activities and concerns around the world, including languages, religions, social customs, economic activities, migration and settlement patterns, and the availability and consumption of resources.

 

HIST 220: American History I (3 credit hours – Fall)

This course covers American history beginning with the experience of native Americans and continuing to 1865 with the end of the Civil War. It focuses on the economic, social, and intellectual forces that shaped nationhood in the region we know as the United States.

 

HIST 221: American History II (3 credit hours – Spring)

This course covers United States history from 1865 to the present. It focuses on the ways industrial, demographic, and political change affected the people who lived in the United States. It attempts to help students assess the impact that recent historical developments have had on the development of modern culture in the United States.

 

HIST 280: Research Methods in History (3 credit hours – Fall)

Research Methods in History enables students to learn the techniques of historical research. Students also learn the basic principles of historiography to understand how historians have understood history and how they develop arguments that fit into a scholarly conversation. This class is suitable for anyone who wants to learn how to find information in all its hiding places and learn how historians draw meaning from it. The course could be especially relevant to students in English, Religion, Philosophy, or the social sciences.

 

HIST 300: Eras in American History (3 credit hours – Fall)

This course provides students the opportunity to study a definite chronological period in American history. Students will be able to gain more insight into the complexities of historical change by assessing the political, social, and economic factors that affected specific decades or eras. This class is intended to provide more detail and analysis regarding those topics than can be gained during a survey course.

 

HIST 345: The Middle Ages (3 credit hours – On demand)

This course provides the opportunity for intensive study of medieval European history. Highlights include the blending of Roman and Germanic traditions, numerous aspects of Christianity and Islam, feudalism and manorialism, growth of monarchies, the Crusades and other wars, medieval technology, architecture, and literature, medieval society, and the Late Middle Ages decline.

 

HIST 350: Studies in World History (3 credit hours – Spring)

This course provides the opportunity for intensive study in World History. The purpose is to acquaint students with the history of diverse cultures. Under different subtitles the course may be repeated for credit. Possible topics include Latin America, Comparative Genocide, The Ancient Mediterranean World, Imperialism and Decolonization, and the Cold War.

 

HIST 310: US Constitution and Government (3 credit hours – Odd year Fall)

This course is designed to provide students with basic knowledge about the history and development of the United States government. It provides information about the history and interpretation of the constitution of the United States as well as information about the political history of the nation at the local, state, and national levels. This course is normally offered during the fall semester of odd-numbered years.

 

HIST 400: Studies in US History (3 credit hours – On demand)

This course provides the opportunity for the intensive study of United States history. Under different subtitles, the course may be repeated for credit. Possible topics include the political history, social history, religious history, intellectual history, and cultural history of the United States.

 

HIST 410: History of Kansas and the Great Plains (3 credit hours – Odd year Spring)

This course informs students about the development of the state of Kansas. It provides information about the geography, history, and character of Kansas as well as its role in the larger region of the American great plains.

 

HIST 420: Studies in European History (3 credit hours – Even year Fall)

This course provides the opportunity for intensive study in European History. Under different subtitles the course may be repeated for credit. Possible topics include Nazi Germany, History of Spain, European Peasant Society, Europe at War, and History of Soviet Russia.

 

HIST 460: Internship (1-12 credit hours – On demand)

Students will work as interns in local institutions under the supervision of the institution and their faculty advisor. The goal is to develop practical skills outside of the classroom.

 

HIST 490: Independent Study (3 credit hours – On demand)

In consultation with the faculty, students may design special projects. With faculty approval, these may be substituted for required courses. See Independent Study or Directed Study under Alternate Means to Academic Credit for a more detailed description.

 

HIST 499: Senior Thesis (3 credit hours – Spring)

This course will guide students through the capstone project of their undergraduate careers. Each student will write an original research paper based on primary sources, using the resources of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, the Smoky Hill Museum, or other local archives. The course is open to history majors as well as pre-law students and students from other majors who desire an advanced research experience. Prerequisite: HIST 498.

 

POLI 100: Introduction to Political Science (3 credit hours – Odd year Fall)

A comparative study of the theories of world politics, levels of political analysis, international law and international political economy. A strong emphasis will be placed on current situations and future projections of inter/intranational issues.

 

POLI 120: American Legal Systems (3 credit hours – Even year Spring)

This course is a survey of the various components of American legal system. From the early history of law, to law school, and criminal/civil law each component will be explored. Observation of the legal/court system in Kansas (Salina) is included in this course. This course is highly recommended to any student considering law school. No prerequisite.

 

POLI 200: Public Policy (3 credit hours – Even year Spring)

This course is an introduction to the public policy process in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on policy making at the national level, but the state and local process will also be explored. Students will be able to glean why public policies are adopted or rejected and how they affect individuals, families, and community. Prerequisite: SOCI201 or by consent of instructor.

 

POLI 320: Political History (3 credit hours – Even year Spring)

This course is classified as a history elective. It focuses on political events of theories in a historical context. Under different subtitles, the course may be repeated for credit. Possible subtitles may include: The Age of Revolutions, Colonization and Decolonization, or European Political Thought.