Upper Level Courses
Empire of the Fertile Crescent – History 201
Mr. Thomas Pullyblank Mon/Wed/Fri 11:00 – 11:50 am
Course Description: An exploration of the history and culture of the Ancient Near East, focusing on the lands of the “fertile crescent”: Egypt, Babylon, Sumeria, Assyria, Persia and the Hebrew nation from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic conquest. Special attention will be given to primary sources and archaeological contributions as we explore the themes of empire, cultural, and religious exchange and conflict.
The Central Middle Ages – History 204
Dr. April Harper Tue/Thur 12:00 – 1:15 pm
Course Description: Continues the story of the growth of Medieval Europe in the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries, a period of enormous vitality and change. Some emphasis placed on East-West conflict.
The City in American Culture – History 208
Dr. Thomas Beal Wednesday 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Course Description: Building on the work of urban and cultural historians, this course is designed to analyze and describe the Acity=s@ contributions to American Aculture.@ The course thematically surveys several Acultural moments@ from the late 18th to the late 20th century through the perspective of a wide range of urban artists, poets, writers, journalists, and musicians. The course explores how Acity life@ influenced a variety of urbanites (both men and women) who put pencil to paper, brush to canvas, and lyrics to music, and, in so doing, played significant roles in the Aproduction@ of American Aculture.@
Faith, Reason, and Medieval Society – History 210
Dr. April Harper Tue/Thur 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Course Description: This course will examine the philosophies, definitions and practice of faith in medieval Europe, from the early desert fathers through the Reformation. The course will examine the influence of formative philosophical texts including works by Boethius, Anselm, Abelard and Aquinas among others; religious texts, including saints’ lives and church treatises; as well as the impact of secular movements, namely the 12th century renaissance, on the expression and understanding of faith; the development of the Cult of the Saints and the power of relics. Special attention will be given to the topics of the religious expression of women and the lower classes; the role of sexuality in religion; comparison and contrast of Christian philosophy and practice to that of Islam and Judaism, and the themes of religious deviation, heresy and reform.
The Old Regime and the Enlightenment – History 211
Dr. Mette Harder Mon/Wed/Fri 2:00 – 2:50 pm
Course Description: A survey of European History from 1648 to 1789, including the scientific revolution, Age of Louis XIV, mercantilism, emergence of Russia and Prussia as European powers, the Enlightenment, and Europe on the eve of revolution
History of Soviet Russia – History 224
Dr. Yuriy Malikov Tue/Thur 2:00 – 3:15 pm
Course Description: A study of U.S.S.R and Soviet Cummunism, including social, economic, and political developments since 1917. Examines the rise and fall of totalitarianism (under Gorbachev) and post-Soviet Russia.
Modern England, 1714 – Present – History 226
Dr. Matthew Hendley Mon/Wed/Fri 11:00 – 11:50 am
Course Description: This course will study British history from 1714 to the present. It will focus on the world=s first industrial revolution, the emergence of British parliamentary democracy, the rise of Britain as major industrial power with a global empire in the nineteenth century and its decline in the twentieth century. A special theme in this course will be the evolution of the British sense of identity during three centuries of continuous social, political economic and cultural change. Topics to be discussed will include the rise and decline of the aristocracy; the exploitation of the working classes and its resistance to industrialism; working-class culture; the struggle for parliamentary reform; the family and men and women’s sex roles; the struggle for women’s rights; the growth of the British empire; the importance of imperialism to British society and culture; the world wars; the rise of mass consumerism; the Great Depression; the impact of the enfranchisement of women; the rise of the Labour Party; decolonization; the post 1945 consensus; the Thatcher Revolution and New Labour. This course requires substantial writing.
History of the Holocaust – History 235
Dr. Julie Freeman Tue/Thur 12:00 – 1:15 pm
Course Description: A study of U.S.S.R and Soviet Cummunism, including social, economic, and political developments since 1917. Examines the rise and fall of totalitarianism (under Gorbachev) and post-Soviet Russia.
Women in Western History – History 238 (cross-listed with Women’s & Gender Studies)
Ms. Robin Mitchell Tue/Thur 4:00 – 5:15 pm
Course Description: Studies in history of women in Europe and America since 1789. Topics include the difference between men’s and women’s experiences of war and revolution; suffrage and feminist movements; reproduction and population policy.
American Revolution – History 241
Dr. Jeffrey Fortin Tue/Thur 10:00 – 11:15 am
Course Description: The study of American history from the French and Indian War to the end of the American Revolution. Covers British colonial policy, the revolutionary movement, changes in American society during and after the War, as well as the social, economic, political, and military aspects of the War.
The Jazz Age and New Deal – History 247
Dr. William Simons Wednesday 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Course Description: The nature of the economic crisis engendered by the great depression, the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the presidency, the program of relief, rehabilitation and reform, the conservative reaction and the diplomacy of the United States to 1945, are the central topics to be covered in the course
Modern Japan – History 251
Dr. William Ashbaugh Tuesday 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Course Description: The study of Modern Japanese history since 1500 through politics, economics, diplomacy, and culture. Includes Japan=s unification under the Tokugawa, traumatic opening to the West, overthrow of feudalism, rapid modernization, imperialism, defeat, occupation, and economic rebirth.
Slave Rebellions in NYC – History 259 [2ND MINI]
Dr. Thomas Beal Tuesday 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Course Description: Slavery played a crucial role in the history of New York City. This course explores two significant moments in that history: the slave insurrection of 1712 and the slave conspiracy of 1741. During the 1712 slave insurrection, dozens of slaves rebelled and with axe, knife and gun attempted to free themselves from bondage. In 1741 slaves, free blacks and poor whites conspired to burn the city and free all slaves; many were arraigned, tried, convicted and executed for arson and high treason. Further, the course explores how, in less dramatic ways, slaves rebelled and attempted to lay claim to their body and their freedom. The outcome of these actions and the response of New York City’s residents receives special attention.
Additional Comment: This course is 1 s.h. and taught during the 2nd mini
Ecomonic History of the U.S. from Colonial Times to 1865 – History 260
Dr. Thomas Beal Mon/Wed/Fri 1:00 – 1:50 pm
Course Description: This course surveys the economic history of the United States from the colonial times to 1865. The course begins with an examination of American colonial economic development within the context of the expanding economy of the Atlantic World. Attention will be paid to commerce, city/town building, merchants, artisans, agriculture and slavery. The course also explores the emergence of a national economy in the nineteenth century. The impact of immigration, population growth, city building, transportation, and manufacturing will be examined. Particular emphasis will be placed on the everyday life of citizens (both rural and urban).
African American History II – History 264 (cross listed with ALS 264)
Zahra Caldwell Tue/Thur 12:00 – 1:15 pm
Course Description: A study of African American History from the Age of Booker T. Washington to the present.
History of New York State – History 266
Dr. F. Daniel Larkin Wednesday 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Course Description: A survey of the significant political, economic, and social trends and institutions in New York State. Attention to colonial growth and change, the emergence of the independent state, the development of a democratic commonwealth, urbanism, immigration, industrialism and political factions.
Colonial Latin America– History 271 (cross listed with ALS 271)
Dr. Miguel Leon Mon/Wed/Fri 10:00 – 10:50 am
Course Description: This course surveys the history of the Americas from 1492 until 1812. Major topics include pre-Columbian society in the Americans; the Spanish Conquest; the impact of disease on the indigenous populations & the creation of the New World. Major themes include gender, family, the birth of individualism and religion. We will try to get to the heart of this fascinating but painful story through a careful consideration of these themes over the course of the semester
History of Canada – History 273
Dr. Matthew Hendley Mon/Wed/Fri 1:00 – 1:50 pm
Course Description: This course will examine the history of Canada from the first aboriginal contacts with European explorers to the modern era. It will focus on the development of distinct regional and ethnic identities within the framework.of British and French colonization as well as in an independent Canada. A key theme in this course will be Canada=s relationships with larger powers such as France, Great Britain and the United States. Students will discover how Canadians forged a society in North America with significant differences from the United States including two official languages, a different form of democracy, greater state involvement in the economy, greater levels of unionization, universal state Medicare, higher taxation, lower levels of violence and greater social liberalism. Key topics to be studied include the treatment of aboriginal peoples, New France, the British Conquest, the War of 1812, Confederation, the Riel Rebellion and the settlement of Western Canada, urbanization and mass immigration, the changing roles of women, the World Wars, the Quiet Revolution and the threat of Quebec separatism and the debate over free trade with the United States.
History of Slavery – History 276 (cross-listed with ALS 276)
DeRoy Gordon Tue/Thur 4:00 – 5:15 pm
Course Description: The focus here will be to compare systems of slavery through time and across cultures. The areas covered will include slavery in Asia, Ancient Europe, West and North Africa, and the New World. In addition, the slave trade on the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, in the Caribbean, and on the Mediterranian and Black Sea will be examined. Finally, issues such as the social definition of who is a slave, slave revolts, economic interpretations of slavery, and human subjugation and exploitation in our own time will be explored.
The Indian in American History – History 282
Dr. Jeffrey Fortin Tue/Thur 12:00 – 1:15 pm
Course Description: This course will examine the role of the Indian in American history from the period of exploration and penetration by European Peoples to the present. The problems faced by native peoples in their contacts with whites‑first as colonizers and then as Americans and their response to these problems will be of particular concern. The policies and treatment of native Americans by colonial administrators and government officials; Indian involvement in colonial wars as a consequence of the fur trade; the pressure for Indian removal from traditional lands and the treaty and reservation system will be some of the subjects explored. The growth of Pan Indian movements; the increasing use of adjudication to regain title to their original tribal holdings; and the utilization of some tribal groups to develop an economic base, are additional topics for examination.
Spanish Conquistadors – History 289
Dr. Miguel Leon Mon/Wed/Fri 1:00 - 1:50 pm
Course Description: The course will examine the contributions made by traditional and contemporary scholarship on the study of the Spanish Conquistadors, specifically in the areas of Mexico, Nueva Granada and Peru. Topics will include background and social origins of the conquistadors, social and economic activities after the conquest, the conquistadores as chroniclers, the institution of the encomienda, and their interactions with the native population.
Special Topics: Baltic Field Experience – History 294
Ms. Ann Traitor Wednesday 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Course Description: This course will examine the history and culture of the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from their earliest emergence as states to their inclusion in NATO and the EU. The main focus of the course will be centered in the 19th and 20th centuries as the Baltic States fight for independence from, in turn, the Russian Empire, the German Empire, the Nazis and the Soviet Union. There will be comparisons of both violent and non-violent resistance movements in all three Baltic States against the Nazis and the Soviets, the role of minorities in the post-World War II Baltic States, as well as the underground press of post-war Samizdat groups. These will all be studied in the light of the ultimate act of organized Baltic resistance in the 1980s: the Baltic Way. Students will take a ten-day trip to Lithuania to see the sights of the Holocaust, the KGB prisons, places of resistance and mass murder, and travel part of the “Baltic Way”.
Note: Instructor permission only
Students will be expected to pay all costs related to transportation, accommodations, meals, and incidentals.
Special Topics: Black Women, WWII and Pop Culture - History 294
(cross-listed with ALS 294)
Zahra Caldwell Tue/Thur 4:00 – 5:15 pm
Course Description: This course would offer an opportunity to study the history of African American and Latina women during the World War II and Cold War eras through the lens of popular culture. This course represents an exploration of theses under represented women during historical period that remains vastly under studied within the Black and Latino populations. Further, its focus on women, media, image and representation is unmatched in the current course offerings. For students it would expand the understanding of World War II and the Cold War.
Junior Seminar – History 290
Dr. Yuriy Malikov Tuesday 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Course Description: This seminar introduces students to the practice and study of history, especially historiography. Students will read, analyze and discuss significant works on and approaches to the study of history. The course also surveys common methods of historical research, analysis, writing, and documentation. Through class discussions, oral presentations and research assignments, students will improve critical thinking, debating and writing skills.
Senior Seminar – History 300
Dr. William Ashbaugh Monday 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Dr. Mette Harder Tuesday 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Course Description: This capstone course involves the historiographical study of specific area of expertise of instructor. Topics and instructors will change each semester. Directed research will culminate in a major writing component based on primary and secondary sources.
Note: Instructor Signature only
