Main Content
Courses
Required Core Courses (18 hours):
HIST 1330, Western Civilization I: A survey of the foundations of Western Civilization in ancient and classical times, through the medieval period, to the period following the end of the Thirty years War. Taught face to face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student/candidate will be able to discuss and/or implement the following:
1. The political, social, and economic aspects of the period.
2. Trace the course of the development of the unique aspects of Western Civilization.
3. Discuss how Western Civilization promoted the cult of the individual.
4. Describe the philosophies developed within Western Civilization.
HIST 1340, Western Civilization II: A survey of the foundations of Western Civilization from the end of the Thirty Years War through early modern times, to the end of the Twentieth Century. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. The political, social, and economic aspects of the period.
2. Trace the course of the development of the unique aspects of Western Civilization.
3. Discuss how Western Civilization promoted the cult of the individual.
4. Describe the philosophies developed within Western Civilization.
HIST 1350, Survey of Non-Western History: Historical survey of non-western civilizations, including Africa, Middle East, Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Indonesian and other Asian and South Sea Island Peoples, and aboriginal peoples. Attention given to major themes of political, military, economic, social, intellectual, and religious events in history, and also of the lives of individuals and groups who have a major impact in the world. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will:
1. Better understand the roles culture and cultural diversity play in non-western societies, and gain respect for the human dignity of all the world’s ethnic groups, cultures, and societies. (CF Knowledge of Content) (NCSS 1.1, 1.9)
2. Differentiate and integrate facts concerning the various roles that people, places and environments play throughout the non-western world. (CF Knowledge of Content) (NCSS 1.7)
3. Research and more fully appreciate how global and regional connections have interacted in the non-western world. (CF Knowledge of Content) (NCSS 1.9)
4. Explain how global and regional forces affect non-western economies and societies and how local populations function within such an economy. (CF Knowledge of Content)
5. Develop study skills necessary to succeed in university and life endeavors. (CF Knowledge of Content)
6. Develop a personal appreciation of non-western societies, their peoples, and cultures. (CF Knowledge of Content) (NCSS 1.1, 1.3)
HIST 2315, United States History to 1877: This course is a survey of the major political, economic, and social developments of the United States to 1877. Special consideration will be given to the emergence of British North America as a society, the emergence of American institutions, slavery, independence, and the emergence of national identity through the sectional crisis. Attention will also be given to the major personalities who shaped events. Taught face-to-face and online.
Course objectives: This course is designed to:
1. Acquaint and familiarize the students with the factors that led to the discovery and exploration of the American colonies.
2. Acquaint the students with the social political, economic, and religious factors that led to the growth and development of the American colonies.
3. Familiarize the students with the role that Native Americans played in the growth and development of the colonies.
4. Students will know and understand the causes, conduct, and consequences of the American Revolutionary War.
5. The students will know the significance that geography played in the growth and development of the agricultural South and the industrial North.
6. Students will become cognizant of the factors that led to the Civil War.
7. Enable students to gain experience in dealing critically with ideas.
HIST 2318, United States History Since 1877: This course is a survey of the major political, economic, and social developments of the United States Since 1877. Special consideration will be given to the development of industry, urban centers and the emergence of the United States as a world power. Attention will also be given to the major personalities who shaped events. Taught face-to-face and online.
Course Objectives: This course is designed to:
1. Acquaint the students with life in the American West. (Content Knowledge: Time, Continuity, change: (NCSS 1.1, 1.2)
2. Familiarize the students with the industrial revolution and the factors that led to this period (Content Knowledge: Time, Continuity & Change: NCSS 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5)
3. Acquaint the students with the factors leading to the Spanish American War.(Content Knowledge: Time, Continuity & Change: NCSS 1922.1.2.2)
4. Acquaint the students with the factors leading to World War I and major developments in American history to the present (Content Knowledge: Time, Continuity, & Change: NCSS 1.6)
5. Acquaint the student with major factors leading in the development of contemporary America. (Content knowledge: Time, Continuity & Change: NCSS 1.6)
History Electives (27 hours):
HIST 3300, Arkansas History: A history of the state’s growth and development including political, economic, social, and recent development. Taught face-to-face and online.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should have a greater knowledge and better understanding of:
1. The pre-colonial and colonial phases of Arkansas history including the native peoples of Arkansas and the colonization and settlement of Arkansas by European powers.
2. The history of territorial Arkansas during which time it was a territory of the United States.
3. The development of Arkansas to the achievement of statehood.
4. The role of slavery in the development of Arkansas.
5. Arkansas during the Civil War and Reconstruction and how the sectional crisis impacted the state.
6. The challenge of Reconstruction in the post-Civil War period.
7. Arkansas in the Progressive era through World War I.
8. The development of modern Arkansas including race relations, the Civil Rights Movement and political developments in the state.
HIST 3310, Latin America: A general study of the history of Latin America. This course will introduce students to the social, cultural, political, and economic history of Latin American from the colonial period through the 20th century. The course surveys Latin America by country or region. Students will become acquainted with major issues in the History of Latin America including the impact of the United States. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student shall have a greater knowledge and understanding of:
1. The Hispanic and indigenous background in Latin American history & culture.
2. The formation of social institutions and culture in Latin America.
3. Race and ethnicity in Latin America.
4. The economic history of Latin America.
5. The impact of US influence and power on the political & economic development of Latin America.
6. The historical conditions that shaped current events in Latin America.
7. Students will also show evidence of increased usage of critical\analytical thinking in their scholastic work.
8. Students will employ critical and analytical writing skills through assessment.
HIST 3330, History of the South: This course focuses on a study of the geographical, political, economic, and cultural facets of the Old South. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should have a greater knowledge and better understanding of:
1. The colonial phase of southern history including the native peoples of the South and the colonization and settlement of the South by European powers.
2. The role of slavery in the development of the South.
3. The political, social, cultural, and economic development of the South in the colonial and national phases of its history.
4. The role of the South in the American Revolution.
5. The development of southern identity.
6. The rise of sectionalism and regional conflict.
7. The coming of the Civil War.
HIST 3335, Civil War and Reconstruction: The political, social, and economic aspects of the period from 1850 to 1877 in United States history. This course is a survey of the political, economic, military and social history of the United States during the era of the Civil War and Reconstruction, also known as the Sectional Crisis. The course will examine the causes of the Civil War, the Civil War itself, and its impact on the people and politics of the period. It will also examine the period of Reconstruction following the Civil War. Special consideration will be given to the diversity of peoples in the United States as well as key personalities of the period. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should have a greater knowledge and better understanding of:
1. The antebellum United States and the background of the issues that led to the Civil War.
2. The major issues of the sectional crisis in the mid-19th century United States.
3. The conflicting regional ideologies and economies of the antebellum United States and their impact on the people and politics of the United States.
4. The role of slavery in the United States and the Sectional Crisis.
5. The military, political, and social history of the Civil War.
6. The challenge of Reconstruction in the post-Civil War period.
7. Race and race relations in the United States throughout the “Middle Period.
8. Students taking this course should improve their writing skills and employ analytical thinking.
HIST 3340, English History to 1688: This course describes the various forces which impacted the British Isles and forged together the diverse nations which comprise England through 1688. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to discuss:
1. Transformation of the British Isles from a tribal to a national political system.
2. Development of social, political, and economic systems in England.
3. Development of philosophical and scientific concepts in England.
4. Development of Absolute Monarchy as a political system.
HIST 3341, English History since 1688: This course considers the transformation of England into Great Britain, and then into the United Kingdom after 1688. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to discuss:
1. Transformation of the Absolute Monarchy into a Constitutional Monarchy.
2. The succession of ruling houses and how this came about.
3. The development of Parliament from an advisory body of noblemen to the governing body of the country.
4. The rise of the common man to meaningful participation in politics.
5. The role played by the Industrial Revolution in these transformations.
HIST 3346, American Colonial and Revolutionary History: This course is a survey of the major political, economic, and social development of the United States from the colonial period through the era of the American Revolution. This period will be surveyed from an Atlantic perspective. Special consideration will be given to the colonization of America and the diversity of peoples who resided in what would become the United States. Consideration will also be given to the rise of American institutions. Special attention will be given to the United States during the period of the American Revolution through the Early Republic. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should have a greater knowledge and better understanding of:
1. Major issues in colonial American history.
2. The peopling of British North America. This includes the role of ethnic and racial minorities in colonial and evolutionary America.
3. The Atlantic context of British North America and its impact on mainland British North America.
4. The economic development of British North America.
5. The political, economic, social, religious, and intellectual factors that led to the American Revolution.
6. Nation building in Revolutionary America and the political and social history of the Revolutionary era.
HIST 3350, Classical Greece: A study of Classical Greece from its foundation through its apex into its decline. This course introduces students to the intellectual, philosophical, social, economic, and political aspects of Greece during this period. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Better understand the intellectual and philosophical thought developed in Greece.
2. Grasp the social, economic, and political forces that impacted Greece.
3. Understand where the Greeks got the underpinnings of their beliefs.
4. Grasp how the Greeks passed to the modern world their beliefs.
HIST 3353, Roman Republic: The Roman Republic Illuminates Rome from its foundation myths through its transformation into an empire and subsequent collapse. This is a period from around 750 B.C. to A.D. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Grasp the development of Roman self-concept through myth.
2. Describe the political machinery of Rome as a growing community.
3. Explain Rome’s conquest of the Italian peninsula, and the Mediterranean Sea.
4. Describe the social and political changes that produced the republic, its decline, and the eventual development of the Empire.
HIST 3361, Middle East and the Islamic World: a survey of the development of the Middle East and the Islamic World from the time of Muhammad to the present. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Explain the transformation of the Arabian peninsula through the actions of Muhammad.
2. Describe the spread of Islam throughout Arabia, North Africa, and into portions of Europe.
3. Develop an understanding of the religious and political beliefs of Islam.
4. Explain the fracturing of Islam to the present.
HIST 4310, Recent United States History: This course is a survey of the major political, economic, and social developments of the United States since 1945. Special consideration will be given to the role of the United States in world affairs including the Cold War, social history, immigration, diversity, civil rights, and the long 1960s. The 1960s will be a major portion of the course. The course will also examine the major personalities who shaped events. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should have a greater knowledge and better understanding of:
1. The major issues that shaped the modern United States.
2. The United States as a nation of immigrants and diversity. This includes the role of ethnic and racial minorities in the United States up to the present.
3. How the United States’ has viewed it’s place in the world and conducted foreign relations.
4. The long 1960s.
5. The Civil Rights Movement and the efforts of various groups including, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, African Americans, women, and others to broaden the umbrella of the United States’ ideals of democracy and freedom.
6. The 1960s and the Vietnam War as a major turning point in American history.
7. American efforts to deal with global issues such as the end of the Cold War and domestic issues since the 1960s including the growing diversity of the population.
HIST 4330, Historiography: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the professional discipline of history and its methods. The course has two basic components. The first is to acquaint students with historical methods and writing, and will culminate with the completion of an upper division level research paper on an appropriate historical topic. To this end the student will seek to develop critical analytical thinking and writing in a coherent organized manner. Completion of the research paper will be the major focus of the semester and students should begin thinking about their topics immediately. Students are also urged to present their paper at the faculty staff research forum. The second component is an introduction to historiography encompassing the history of historical writing. It will examine the writing of history from antiquity to the present and acquaint students with the rise of the modern scholarly discipline of history and how it is conducted today. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: The student who completes this course should have a better grasp of:
1. How history has evolved as a scholarly discipline.
2. Important themes and philosophies of history.
3. Biographical information about major historians.
4. How to read secondary sources for discerning their argument.
5. Recognizing primary sources.
6. How to organize the first stages of a historical research project.
7. How to “do” history, that is, conduct research and write according to the methods standards of the historical profession.
HIST 4360, Modern Russia: The political, social, economic, cultural and religious development of Russia from the time of Peter the Great to the present. This course introduces students to Russia in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. One major concern will be the interrelationship of Russia with other European states in cooperation and conflict. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
1. Narrate the political, social, and economic aspects of Russia during the period covered.
2. Trace the course of the development of the unique aspects of Russian society and beliefs.
3. Discuss how Russia promoted the cult of the all-powerful government.
4. Grasp and be able to describe the philosophies developed within Russia to support its self-vision.
HIST 4370, History of the Far East in Modern Times: The customs and institutions of the major nations in the Far East. The recent history of China, Japan, and Korea. The course will introduce students to the general history of the Far East including its political, social, cultural, and economic history. Students will become familiar with international relations within East Asia and with East Asia in the context of world history. Students in the course will examine the impact of the eastern encounter with the west and the rise of the Far East of the 21st century. Attention will also be given to biographical information of major historical figures. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Completing the course will provide students better understanding of the following:
1. The cultural and historical context of modern East Asia.
2. The impact of China politically, economically, and culturally upon Asia and the world.
3. Modernity in East Asia and the differing responses of the major East Asian countries to the rise of the modern world and its impact.
4. The rise of Japan as a world power.
5. Developments in Southeast Asia and the impact of China and the world on this part of Asia.
6. The rise of communist Chinese and recent developments in the Far East Including the widespread popularity of Korean popular culture.
HIST 4375, African American History to 1865: This course introduces students to African-American history from the African background to 1865. It will provide students with a general overview of the economic, social, and cultural aspects of African American history through the end of the Civil War. It will also cover such topics in African American history as slavery, free blacks, the abolitionist movement, religion, and the Civil War. The course will also introduce students to major African American leaders, the cultural background of Africans brought to America as slaves, the development of black institutions (such as the black church), African Americans in the American Revolution, and the black freedom struggle. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon Successful completion of this course the student should have a greater knowledge and better understanding of:
1. The Atlantic slave trade, and its rise and ending.
2. The origins of slavery and ideas of race in the United States.
3. The social and cultural developments in African American life including the contribution of Africa to African American culture. This further includes the development of a distinct African American culture, slave religion, and the rise of institutions such as the black church.
4. The emergence of a significant free black population in both the North and the South along With its efforts to attain equality, fight slavery, and build a place for blacks in the United States.
5. African American efforts to attain equality and full civil rights including the rise of the abolitionist movement and such strategies for black advancement as the emigration movement.
6. African Americans vital gifts to the world and American culture, society, economy, etc. in general.
7. African Americans in the Civil War Era and their role in ending slavery.
HIST 4380, African American History Since 1865: An in-depth study of African Americans in American history to 1865.This course introduces students to African-American history from 1865 to the present. It will provide students with a general overview of the economic, social, and cultural aspects of the end of slavery and the Reconstruction Era. It will also cover such topics in African American history as disfranchisement, the Jim Crow Era, the Great Migrations, efforts to win equal rights for African Americans since the Progressive Era. The course will also introduce students to major African American leaders, the development of black institutions (such as the black church), African Americans in the military, the Civil Rights era (also known as the “Second Reconstruction”), and the post-Civil Rights era. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should have a greater knowledge and better understanding of:
1. The Reconstruction Era and African Americans efforts to build a place for themselves in the United States following the Civil War and the end of slavery.
2. The social and cultural developments in African American life since the end of slavery, including religious, artistic, etc.
3. Disfranchisement and the Jim Crow era and how African Americans persevered and built meaningful lives and made contributions to the world despite severe oppression.
4. African American efforts to attain equality and full civil rights including the diversity of views and organizations over the best means for blacks to achieve their goals as a people.
5. African Americans vital gifts to the world and American culture, society, economy etc. in general.
6. Students taking this course should improve their writing skills and employ analytical thinking.
HIST 4385, African History: This course is a survey of the history of Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, from antiquity to the modern day. It introduces students to the political, social, cultural, and economic history of Africa. Special consideration will be given to exploring the place of Africa in world history. The course will also consider such topics as the rise of ancient civilizations and states in Africa, the spread of Islam, slavery and the Atlantic slave trade, colonialism, and post-colonial Africa. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student shall have a greater knowledge and understanding of:
1. The cultures and civilizations of Africa.
2. The place of slavery in Africa and the slave trades, both eastern and Atlantic, and their impact on Africa and world history.
3. Pre-colonial African states and societies.
4. Important issues in African history such as the Bantu migrations, Islamic jihads, colonialism, and decolonization.
5. The historical roots of current events in Africa.
6. Students will also show evidence of increased usage of critical/analytical thinking in their scholastic work.
7. Students will employ critical and analytical writing skills through assessment.
HIST 4395, Independent Study/Readings in History: Students afforded opportunities to examine current readings and issues from an international perspective. Topics vary and offered according the student need and demand. Taught face-to-face.
HIST 4396, Seminar in Third World Studies: Acquaints students with the nature and historical development of that part of the world out-side Western Europe, the United States, and the former Soviet-bloc. Topics vary and offered according the student need and demand. Taught face-to-face.
Required Geography Courses (3 hours)
GEOG 2360, World Regional Geography: A study of certain world patterns of distribution of population, landforms, climate and economic activities within world regions as subdivisions of human settlement of our planet. Taught face-to-face.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Differentiate and integrate facts concerning the roles people, cultures and environments play worldwide.
2. Explain how local and national economies function within a reemerging global economic system.
3. Organize geographic knowledge for lucid presentation.