Below
you will find course descriptions for all the courses regularly
taught by the history faculty at PC. The subject of the courses
titled ‘Senior Seminar’ and ‘Special Topics’
vary with each semester and professor. Details are available from
the faculty member or in the course listing distributed each semester.
121. Rise of World Cultures and Ideas (3)
A study of the emergence and development of great ideas and cultures
in the ancient and medieval worlds. 122.
The Modern World (3)
A study of human history and the development of modern civilizations,
focusing on the major economic, diplomatic, military, political,
religious, and social components of human activity since 1500.
211-212. American History
(3 each sem) (Required of history majors)
An account of the political, economic, military, diplomatic, and
social development of the United States from the founding of the
colonies to the present.
258. Special Topics (3-6).
American Chronological Courses
321. History of Colonial and Revolutionary America, 1600-1800
(3)
A study of American social and political history including early
European settlement in North America, issues leading up to the
American Revolution, and the establishment of the new nation.
(Fall, even years)
322. Young America, 1800-1865
(3)
A study of the issues confronting a new nation, including the
rise of democracy, the exploration of the frontier and westward
expansion, slavery and the South, benevolence and reform, and
sectionalism and the Civil War. (Spring, odd years)
323. Emergence of Modern America,
1865-1920 (3)
A study of the evolution of the United States from Reconstruction
to the end of the First World War. Special focus will be placed
on the impact of industrialization and imperialism. (Fall, odd
years)
324. Modern America, 1920-present
(3)
A study of the development of the United States from the end of
the First World War to present day. Emphasis will be placed on
the Depression, New Deal, World War II, Cold War, and Civil Rights
movements.(Spring, even years)
Focused Courses
333. American Military History (3)
A survey of the military history of the United States from its
European backgrounds to the contemporary age. Special attention
will be given to the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars
I and II, Korean War, and Vietnam War. (Fall, odd years)
334. Women in American History
(3)
This course will introduce students to major themes in American
women’s history. It will examine the lives of women as workers,
as family members, and as active participants in the public arenas
of voluntary association and political activism. It will further
explore the diversity of women’s experiences in terms of
race, religion, class, and ethnic identity while also touching
on the lives of specific notable women in American history. (Spring,
even years)
336. United States Diplomatic History
(3)
A survey of American foreign relations from 1890 to the present.
Particular emphasis is given to America’s emergence as a
global power and the Cold War. (Spring, even years)
337. History of the South (3)
A survey of the history and culture of the South from the period
of early settlement to the present. Special attention will be
given to the Old South, the institution of slavery, the Civil
War and Reconstruction, the New South, the Civil Rights movement,
and the South in the Modern Era. (Spring, odd years)
Religious History Courses
355. Religion in America (3) (Cross-listed with
religion)
A survey of the American religious experience from colonial times
to the present, with particular emphasis on the interaction of
religion and American life. This course provides depth to the
religious and social facets of American history. For history majors
and minors who prefer to study American history, this course offers
a desirable elective. (Fall, odd years)
356. The African-American Religious
Experience (3) (Cross-listed with religion)
An examination of the African-American contribution to the religious
life of the American people from the period of slavery to the
present. Particular emphasis on the relationship of African-American
religion to American history and culture. (Spring, odd years)
357. History of Christianity
(3) (Cross-listed with religion)
A historical survey of Christianity from its beginnings to the
present. Particular emphasis on the development of Christian thought
and its expression in the church. (Fall, even years)
European Focused Courses
361. English History to 1688 (3)
A survey of English history from pre-Roman Celtic times to the
Glorious Revolution of 1688. Special emphasis is placed on the
cultural, religious, and political development of the kingdom.
(Fall, odd years)
362. English History Since 1689
(3)
The development of the United Kingdom and the British Empire since
1689. Areas of particular emphasis are the expanding empire, Victorianism,
imperialism, and the cultural, religious, and political contributions
of the kingdom. (Spring, even years)
366. Modern Russia (3)
A study of Imperial and Soviet Russia. Concentration will be upon
the 19th and 20th centuries, with emphasis on tsarist autocracy,
emerging revolutionary movements, the Bolshevik Revolution, and
Soviet Union to its dissolution in 1999. (Spring, odd years)
367. Modern Germany (3)
A study of developments in German history in the 19th and 20th
centuries with emphasis on nationalism, unification, Bismarckian
and Wilhelminian Germany, World War I, Nazi Germany, and World
War II, and the Cold War to German reunion in 1990. (Fall, odd
years)
368. History of Scotland
(3)
A survey of the history of Scotland from earliest times to the
18th century. Principle themes of the study include how the Scottish
interacted with the greater European world and in particular with
England and how the Christian tradition developed culminating
in the Presbyterian Church. (Spring, even years)
369. History of Ireland
(3)
A survey of the history of Ireland from the age of St. Patrick
to the struggle for independence. Principle themes of the course
include religion and culture, colonization and national identity,
and crisis and immigration.
European Chronological Courses
371. Ancient Western Civilization (3)
A survey of the political, social, economic, and intellectual
development of ancient Western civilizations from c. 3500 B.C.
to c. 500 A.D. Emphasis is placed on the contributions of Greco-Roman
civilization to the West. (Fall, odd years)
372. Early Medieval Europe
(3)
A survey of the rise of Europe as a center of civilization from
the late Roman period to c. 1300 A.D. with special attention given
to the development of governmental and religious
institutions as shapers of Western civilization. (Spring, even
years)
373. Late Medieval and Renaissance
Europe (3)
A survey of the closing centuries of Europe’s medieval period,
c. 1300 to 1500. Attention will be directed to the crises of the
late Middle Ages, the cultural revitalization of the Renaissance,
and the beginning of Europe’s global dominance through overseas
exploration and colonization. (Fall, even years)
374. Early Modern Europe (3)
A study of Europe from c. 1475 to c. 1675 and its shift from its
medieval past into the modern era. Among the topics of study will
be the rise of new monarchies, the Reformation and the Scientific
Revolution. (Spring, odd years)
376. Enlightenment Europe
(3)
A study of the political and intellectual trends of Europe from
the English Glorious Revolution through the French Revolution.
Also considered are the effects of these trends on religion, economy,
society, and the arts. (Spring, even years)
377. 19th Century Europe (3)
An examination of European society, its institutions and movements,
and its accomplishments from 1815-1914. Special emphasis is placed
on such topics as Nationalism, Social Darwinism, and Imperialism,
especially in Great Britain, France, and Germany. (Fall, even
years)
378. 20th Century Europe
(3)
Europe from World War I to the present. The focal point of the
course is the destruction of the old European systems by WWI and
the various efforts to replace those systems. Special attention
is given to Germany, Italy, and Western Democracies. (Spring,
odd years)
Area Studies
380. Early Russia (3)
A study of Russia from ancient times through the reigns of the
early Romanovs. Particular attention placed on the influence of
non-European forces, such as Byzantine and Mongol, and on the
development of Russian institutions and culture. (Fall, even years)
382. History of Africa
(3)
A survey of African history, including a brief overview of the
development of African civilizations and a more in-depth look
at the development of colonial and independent Africa. Special
emphasis will be placed upon the distinctive qualities of African
culture, the interaction with Europeans, colonial rule, and the
struggle for independence.
383. History of India (3)
A survey of the history and culture of India from ancient times
to the present with an emphasis on the basic institutions of Indian
life, the influence of British colonialism, and India’s
experience since independence. (Fall, odd years)
384. History of Latin America
(3)
A survey of the history and culture of Latin America from its
European background to present day. Special attention will be
paid to the colonial period along with the national histories
of Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. (Spring, odd years)
386. Middle Eastern History and
Civilization (3)
A survey of Middle Eastern History from the rise of Islam through
the Iranian Revolution. This course explores the culture and history
of the Islamic world with particular focus on the evolution and
spread of Islam from the 7th century onward; the rich literary,
artistic, and architectural heritage of the Islamic World throughout
this period; and the rise of nationalism/regionalism in response
to the increasing European and American presence in this region
throughout the 20th century. (Fall, alternate years)
389. Traditional China
(3)
Survey of ancient and traditional China up to the impact of the
West in the 19th century. After a brief coverage of pre-historic
and ancient developments, particular emphasis will be given to
the classical philosophies, the imperial and bureaucratic state,
and to the dynastic cycles. (Fall, alternate years)
390. Modern China and East Asia
(3)
Survey of historical developments and politics of China in the
19th and 20th centuries, particularly in the period since 1949.
Briefer treatment of recent histories and contemporary politics
of Japan and Korea. (Spring, alternate years)
392. Family and Gender in Chinese
History (3)
This course explores the familial and gender roles that have dominated
Chinese society since traditional times. Consideration will be
given to the historical influence of Confucianism, and primary
emphasis will be placed on the 20th century intellectuals who
have sought to reform these traditionally conservative elements
of Chinese society.
397. Violence and Terror in Modern
History (3)
This course will pursue a comparative examination of violence
and terror in modern history. The class will explore the use of
violence and terror in modern conflicts as well as the means through
which marginal political and religious groups (Irish Republican
Army, PLO, and al Qaeda) have used violence and terror to call
attention to their respective causes.
398. Honors Research (3-6).
Available for students during the junior and senior years with
approval of the departmental faculty. Students with a 3.20 GPA
in all courses and a 3.40 GPA in major courses may undertake an
honors research program. Oral and written presentations of the
results of the project will be required. Students who successfully
complete the departmental honors research program will graduate
with honors in the major discipline. (Fall or Spring, or Fall
and Spring)
442. Directed Studies (1-6).
Designed to allow the student to pursue a topic of special interest
under the direction of a history department professor. The scope
of the project and the hours to be earned will be determined in
consultation with the supervising professor. A maximum of six-hours
credit may be earned in directed study.
444. Internships.
446. Reading.
448. Research.
450. Seminar. (Students
admitted on approval of department; designed for junior and senior
history majors)
Readings, discussion, and oral and written reports on a topic
selected by the department faculty.
452. Special Projects (3-6).
(Students admitted on approval of department; designed for junior
and senior history majors)
This course is designed for the spring and/or summer semesters
and will normally involve student participation in an off-campus
project.
458. Special Topics.
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