Full-Time Faculty: Nancy J. Rosenbloom, Chair; Thomas M. Banchich, Keith Burich, Henry C. Clark, David R. Costello, David R. Devereux, Larry E. Jones, René A. De La Pedraja, Bruce J. Dierenfield, Julie S. Gibert, Walter G. Sharrow, Daniel P. Starr, J. David Valaik, James S. Valone.
The History Department offers a series of wide-ranging courses at both the introductory and advanced levels which are designed to acquaint the student with the richness of human historical experience and to introduce the methodologies of the historian’s craft. Through this intellectual endeavor, the student gains an appreciation of the inter-relatedness of human activity in social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual affairs. An awareness of the impact of time and the importance of chronological milieu is also achieved. Through the study of the past, one develops a more comprehensive understanding of the present and insight into the values of human experience. The Area IV courses furnish students with a general knowledge of the history and traditions of the major nations of the modern world and an appreciation of the fundamental trends which shape the world in which they live. These courses also provide the student with an intellectual and chronological framework within which study in other disciplines can be placed to obtain maximal understanding of those content areas.
The upper-level courses deal with a wide variety of specialized areas of historical inquiry, including non-Western, Ancient, European, and American development. Some courses focus on major national or geographic areas, while others emphasize period, topical, or thematic approaches. The upper-level courses provide the student with an opportunity for further development of historical understanding and critical thinking. By encouraging social context and historical perspective, these courses enable the history major to draw upon the great traditions of civilizations in the attainment of the primary objective of liberal education: the analysis and discrimination of reality and values.
The History Department offers a departmental honors program consisting of four sequential seminars in the junior and senior years (HIS 401, HIS 402, HIS 410, HIS 411). These courses are specifically designed to develop the research, writing, and analytical skills necessary for success in graduate school or law school. Students who complete these four courses with a 3.25 average and a 3.00 average in all of their History courses graduate with Honors in History.
History offers pre-professional experience for the student through emphasis on data analysis, trend observation, critical thinking, value discrimination, and clarity of expression. The content and skills of the history major program are useful for those anticipating careers in law, communications media, journalism, library science, government service, teaching, or managerial positions in business or industry.
History Major
To graduate with a bachelor of arts in history, a student must complete a minimum of twelve courses (36 credit hours) in history, of which no more than four (12 credit hours) may be taken at the 100 level. Students who are dual majors or who transfer into the history program at a late stage in their college career may petition the chair of the History Department for a reduction in the number of courses they need to satisfy the requirement for the major to ten courses (30 credit hours). To assist the student in formulating a personalized curriculum, the Department has developed a series of course clusters that offers a way of viewing the inter-relatedness among courses and allows the development of greater structure in the student’s course experience. There are traditional clusters or concentrations in American history, European history, classics, and Third World history, and thematic clusters in twentieth-century studies, social analysis, and intellectual history. Further information may be obtained from the departmental advisers or the department chair.
Admission
Admission to a major in history depends upon the applicant having attained a grade of at least "C" in six hours of Area IV courses and in ancillary subjects.
History Curriculum:
| 1. |
ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 |
|
|
| |
|
(4 courses) |
(12) |
| 2. |
Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: I, II, |
|
|
| |
III, V, VI, VII, VIII |
(14 courses) |
(42) |
| 3. |
Major course requirements: |
(12 courses) |
|
| |
History electives Distribution: |
|
|
| |
American history: at least six credits |
|
|
| |
European history: at least six credits |
|
|
| |
Third World history: at least six credits |
|
|
| |
Period before 1800: at least three credits3 |
|
|
| |
Note: The 36 credits in history must include 6-12 |
|
|
| |
credits in Area IV (100-level) courses and 24-30 |
|
|
| |
credits in upper-level (200 or higher) courses. |
|
(36) |
| 4. |
Electives |
(10 courses) |
(30) |
| Total |
(40 courses) |
|
(120) |
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall |
|
Spring |
|
| Freshman Year |
|
|
|
| ENG 101 |
3 |
ENG 102 |
3 |
| Area IV History elective |
3 |
RST 101 |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
Area IV History elective |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| Sophomore Year |
|
|
|
| PHI 101 |
3 |
History elective |
3 |
| History elective |
3 |
History elective |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| Junior Year |
|
|
|
| History elective |
3 |
History elective |
3 |
| History elective |
3 |
History elective |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| Senior Year |
|
|
|
| History elective |
3 |
History elective |
3 |
| History elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| |
|
Total |
120 |
Dual Majors
The Departments of History and Teacher Education have developed a five-year Dual Degree Program in History and Social Studies Education that will enable a student to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, a Master of Science Degree in Education (Social Studies), and New York State Certification in social studies at the secondary level. This program is currently awaiting certification by the New York State Department of Education. The two departments also offer dual majors in History and Social Studies Education at the undergraduate level for students interested in teaching at either the early childhood or adolescent level. For further information, contact Dr. Nancy Rosenbloom (History) at 888-2689, Dr. Larry Jones (History) at 888-2686, or Dr. James McDonnell (Education) at 888-2547.
History Minor:
Survey courses: two or three 100-level courses selected from Area IV courses in American, European, Classical, Asian, or Latin American history (6 or 9)
Upper-level courses: four or five History courses (200-499). It is recommended but not required that one of these courses be in historical methodology (15 or 12)
Distribution: The seven courses must include at least one course in American history, one in European history, and one in Third World history. At least one of the seven courses must concentrate on the period before 1800.
Note: With the chair's permission, transfer students, and students with an exceptional secondary background in history, may be allowed to substitute upper-level courses for the 100-level requirement.
Total (7 courses) (21)
COURSES: 2001-2003
HIS 103 (CLS 103) Greek History to 323 B.C. 3
Social, political, and intellectual history of the Greeks from the end of the Bronze Age to the death of Alexander the Great. The genesis, maturation, and transformation of Hellenic culture. (AS IV) (ICD) 2000-2001 only
HIS 104 (CLS 104) Roman History: Origins to Constantine 3
Social, political, and intellectual history of Rome from the beginning of the Republic to the reign of Constantine. Roman imperialism and Greco-Roman civilization. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 106 The Medieval World 3
The development of a distinctive European civilization between
500 and 1500. Emphasis on Europe's contacts and conflicts with the “competing” cultures of Byzantium and Islam. (AS IV) (ICD) 2000-2001 only
HIS 107 History of Modern Europe to 1815 3
The major political, economic, social, and intellectual currents in Western Civilization from 1500 to 1815. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 108 History of Modern Europe since 1815 3
The major political, economic, social and intellectual currents in Western Civilization from 1815 to the present. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 109 History of Asia to 1800 3
Comparative study of civilizations, cultures, religions, and institutions of Far East, South Asia, and Middle East. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 110 History of Asia since 1800 3
The various independence and revolutionary movements and their evolution into the modern nation-states of Asia. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 111 Men and Ideas in History 3
Role of ideas in historical change. Relationship between the ideas of a particular period and the social, political, and economic forces which helped shape them. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 113 The Twentieth Century 3
Major political, economic, social, and intellectual currents in Europe since 1900. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 123 History of the United States: the Colonial Period to Reconstruction 3
Puritanism, political events of the Revolutionary and Constitutional Era, Jacksonian Democracy, Sectionalism and Slavery,and the causation and impact of the Civil War. (AS IV)
HIS 124 History of the United States: 1877 to the Present 3
Industrialization and urbanization of the United States with the accompanying social, economic, and political problems; America's emergence as a major power in world affairs. (AS IV) HIS 131 Latin American History to 1830 3
Pre-Columbian Indian civilizations. Conquest and colonization. Economy, society, and the Church. Eighteenth century reforms and independence. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 132 Latin American History since 1830 3
Overview of economy and society. Upheavals and revolutions in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, and Mexico. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 170 (PSC 110) Western Political Tradition I 3
See PSC 110.
HIS 171 (PSC 111) Western Political Tradition II 3
See PSC 111.
HIS 211 (WST 340) Women in the Western World 3
Comparative history of women in Europe, Britain, and America from Renaissance to present. Deals with changing role of women in society, politics, and the economy and on development of feminism as intellectual and political force. (AS IV) (ICD) 2001-2002 only
HIS 215 (RST 215) History of Christian Community 3
See RST 215
HIS 216 (RST 216) History of the Christian Community II 3
See RST 216.
HIS 218 (RST 217) History of the Christian Community III 3
See RST 217.
HIS 221 History Methodology 3
Textual analysis, critical reading; primary sources, library skills, research techniques; conceptualization/organization of topic; grammar, format, and style; book reviews, research papers, formal reports.
HIS 230 The Holocaust in Historical Perspective 3
A historical survey of the Holocaust that places Nazi Germany’s campaign to exterminate European Jewry during World War II (1939-45) in a broader historical context by tracing the history of anti-Semitism from its origins in late antiquity to the emergence of racial anti-Semitism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. (AS IV)
HIS 240 Wars of Latin America 3
Wars of independence and major conflicts of the nineteenth century. Military history of Mexican, Cuban, and Nicaraguan revolutions. Border clashes and guerilla insurgencies of the twentieth century. Argentina's war with England. 2002-2003 only
HIS 255 African American History 3
Overview of African American history: African roots, American enslavement, Jim Crow South, Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance, World War II, civil rights movement, and black nationalism, family structure, cultural expression, law, race relations, political advances, and sports. 2002-2003 only
HIS 280 (PSC 280) N.Y. State Constitution 3
Introduction to the New York Constitution and an evaluation of it through historical and comparative contexts. Possibilities and implications of potential reforms are emphasized.
HIS 300 Historical Geography 3
Examines the interaction between the historical process and human, physical, and cultural geography. Recommended for history and social studies education majors.
HIS 301 History of Sports in America 3
The historical development and impact of sports, especially spectator sports, in the United States since World War II.
HIS 306 American Religious History 3
Overview of major thoughts, movements and personalities of American Religious History from colonial era to present. Catholicism used as a model, focusing on themes of immigration and Americanization as central to understanding religious landscape of the U.S. 2001-2002 only
HIS 308 (CLS 308) Pagans and Christians 3
See CLS 308.
HIS 311 (CLS 311) Alexander the Great 3
Philip II and the rise of Macedon. Alexander's personality, his conquests, and their social, political, and intellectual consequences. Hellenistic culture. The Alexander Romance. 2002-2003 only
HIS 312 (CLS 312) The Greek Enlightenment
HIS 314 (CLS 314) Decline and Fall of Roman Empire 3
Imperial crisis and recovery of the third century. Constantine and Christianity. Barbarian invasions. Social, political, and intellectual developments in the Byzantine East and Latin West. 2001-2002 only
HIS 315 (FAH 245) Italian Renaissance Art 3
See FAH 245 2001-2002 only
HIS 316 Reformation Europe 3
The Reformation from Luther to the 30 Years War. 2002-2003 only
HIS 319 The French Enlightenment 3
Intellectual, Cultural, and social, history of 18th century enlightenment with specific emphasis on Voltaire, Diderot, Montequis, and Rousseau. 2002-2003 only
HIS 320 The French Revolution and Napoleon 3
The transformation of aristocratic Europe into a modern society controlled by a bourgeoisie and oriented toward scientific and industrial progress. 2001-2002 only
HIS 327 History of Modern Ireland 3
1603-present. Constitutional union with great Britain, Home Rule movement, partition and development of Irish Republic, modern
crisis in Northern Ireland. 2001-2002 only
HIS 328 Nazi Germany and the Holocaust 3
Examines the theory and practice of Nazi racial policy from Hitler’s appointment German chancellor in 1933 through the mass murder of approximately six million Jews by the end of World War II. Contains a significant research component. 2001-2002 only
HIS 331 (PSC 355) European Union 3
See PSC 355. 2001-2002 only
HIS 332 Medieval and Early Modern England 3
Growth of English society and government from 1154 to 1688. Topics include the evolution of parliamentary government and the social effects of reformation and revolution. 2001-2002 only
HIS 333 Britain in an Age of Revolution 3
Social and political history of eighteenth century Britain. Emphasis on responses to the American, French, and Industrial revolutions. 2002-2003 only
HIS 336 Modern Mexico 3
History of Mexico in the twentieth century. Emphasis on Mexican Revolution, society, petroleum, and one-party rule.
2001-2002 only
HIS 337 The Age of Columbus 3
Political, social, and cultural history of the Old World and the New in the age of Christopher Columbus. 2001-2002 only
HIS 338 The British Empire 3
The growth and Character of the British Empire from 17th century throughout the 20th. Emphasis in social, cultural and political impact of colonization and decolonization in such regions as
India, Africa, the Caribbean and Australia. 2001-2002 only
HIS 340 Films of the Violent Century 3
The major events of the 20th century, including World Wars I and II, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, the rise of Fascism, and the Vietnam War. 2001-2002 only
HIS 344 Tsarist Russia 3
Brief survey of pre-1613 period. Emphasis on internal and foreign policies under the Romanov dynasty until its fall in 1917. 2001-2002 only
HIS 345 (PSC 357) Soviet Union and After 3
Political, economic, and foreign policies of the Communist regime. 2001-2002 only
HIS 346 Age of European Fascism, 1919-45 3
A comparative analysis of fascist movements and regimes in Europe between the two world wars with particular attention devoted to fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. 2001-2002 only
HIS 347 (PSC 347) The History of Marxism 3
History of Marxism as an intellectual tradition, with emphasis on writings of Marx and Lenin, from nineteenth to twentieth century. (AS V) 2002-2003 only
HIS 350 (PSC 350) 20th Century Eastern Europe 3
Ethnic, linguistic, and geographic origins. Emphasis on social, political, economic, and cultural developments since 1918. 2002-2003 only
HIS 355 Chinese Culture and Civilization Before 1900 3
The course traces the roots of Chinese culture and civilization from the ancient period to the end of the Imperial era. Among the topics considered are Confucianism, the Dynastic cycle, and intellectual and scientific advances. 2001-2002 only
HIS 359 History of Japan: 1868-1945 3
Development of modern Japan from Restoration of 1868 to end of World War II.
HIS 361 (CRJ 361) Origins of American Constitutionalism 3
Sources of American political ideology and constitutional theory in the American experience from the 17th century beginnings until the Civil War. Recommended for pre-law students. 2001-2002 only
HIS 362 (CRJ 362) The Constitution in an Age of Crisis 3
American Constitutional theory and practice from Civil War to present. Emphasis on Supreme Court development, economic relationships, civil liberties, civil rights, and criminal justice. 2001-2002 only
HIS 363 United States Diplomatic History to World War I 3
Formation and development of American foreign policy from the colonial period to American entry into World War I.
2002-2003 only
HIS 364 The United States as a World Power 3
Foreign policy of the United States from World War I to the present.
HIS 365 (PSC 365) U.S. – Latin American Relations Since 1898 3
Occupations of Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Central America; interventions in Columbia, Mexico, Panama,
Guatemala. Response to Cuban and Nicaraguan revolutions and South American military dictatorships. 2001-2002 only
HIS 368 Native American History 3
History of Native Americans from Pre-Colonial era to the present day.
HIS 370 (CRJ 370) Crime and Punishment in
American History 3
Infamous crimes from the Puritan witch-hunts to today's murder trials. Changing trends in punishments from chain gangs and public hangings to juvenile courts. Creation of prisons, asylums, and police forces. 2001-2002 only
HIS 373 (URS 373) American Urban History 3
Explores the history of the city in19th and 20th century America. Required for Urban Studies majors. 2001-2002 only
HIS 376 The American Military Tradition 3
Examination of major conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War. Nature of warfare in the Civil War and in World War II. The citizen soldier and the rise of the professional army. Defense consolidation of the three services.
2002-2003 only
HIS 379 (URS 379) American Jewish Experience in Comparative Perspective 3
Explores the social and cultural history of American Jews from the end of the eighteenth century through twentieth century by focusing on three broad areas of that experience, namely, immigration, assimilation and the impact of the Holocaust.
2001-2002 only
HIS 381 (URS 381) History of Buffalo 3
Development of Buffalo as a city through its 150-year history. Emphasis on social and cultural aspects of Buffalo's history.
HIS 382 (URS 382) New York State History 3
History of the Empire State from colonial times to the present day.
HIS 383 America in the Progressive Era 3
Explores the American social and political life around the turn of the century (1890-1920) with particular emphasis on the way in which American society responded to the challenges of industrialization, immigration, urbanization, agrarian crisis, and World War I. 2002-2003 only
HIS 390 Civil Rights Movement 3
Examines the African American movement to end racial injustice. Focus is on post-1945 events (e.g., Montgomery bus boycott), black leaders (Martin & Malcolm) and organizations, and white resistance esp. from the Ku Klux Klan.
2001-2002 only
HIS 393 The Making of Modern Africa 3
Development of modern Africa from the diverse societies of precolonial Africa through the impact of imperialism to an examination of the problems facing modern African states. 2002-2003 only
HIS 394 (PSC 397) Contemporary Middle East 3
History of Middle East from last days of Ottoman Empire through mandate system established by Versailles Peace Conference to struggle for independence during and after World War II.
Formerly HIS 397. 2001-2002 only
HIS 395 (WST 341) History of American Women 3
The social experience of American women from colonial times to the present with special attention to their familial and public roles. 2000-2001 only
HIS 399 American Diplomatic History 3
An overview of American foreign policy. 2002-2003 only
HIS 401 Seminar: Introduction to Historical Research 3
Methods of historical research and criticism, including consideration of basic bibliographical and reference works, note-taking, and evaluation of sources. Research paper required.
Prerequisite: History honors students and others with permission of chair.
HIS 402 Seminar: Historiography 3
A study of the major historians of Western civilization, emphasizing the student's development of a meaningful personal philosophy of history.
Prerequisite: History honors students and others with permission of chair.
HIS 410 Senior Honors Colloquium 3
Reading course organized around central theme that varies from semester to semester. Deals with American and European history and occasionally with history of Third World. Satisfies requirement for graduation with departmental honors in history.
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor or Department Chair.
HIS 411 Seniors Honors Thesis 3
Research and writing of a thesis to satisfy requirements for graduation with Honors in History.
Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor and/or Permission of the Chair.
HIS 413 (HON 313) Representations of the Holocaust in Film Literature, Art and Music 3
A multi-disciplinary study of how the Holocaust has been represented in works of art, film literature, and music in Europe, America, and Israel. Examines the literary works and first-person testimony of Holocaust survivors, as well as cinematic representations of the Holocaust from 1945 to the present. Formerly HIS 404. 2002-2003 only
HIS 420 The Age of Theodore Roosevelt 3
A study of the life and times of America's star-spangled president, considered the architect of the 20th century presidency, demanding national and international attention as no other leader in the nation's history. Time has shown his impact was not only immediate and monumental but enduring as well.
HIS 454 (HIS 504) Main Themes in Global History 3
Historiography and methodology of global history. Relationship between the West and the world, especially Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Teaching global history at the secondary level: pedagogy, instructional techniques, and multi-media technology.
HIS 498 Internships 3
Internships are currently available with a United States congressman or senator, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, and the Western New York Heritage Institute of Canisius College.
Prerequisite: Consent of the Instructor and permission of the Chair.
HIS 499 Independent Study 3
Offers the opportunity to conduct a program of independent readings and/or research on a topic of the student's choice under the supervision of a member of the History Department.
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor and permission of Chair.
1 Joint appointment with Classics Department.
2 Area IV is automatically fulfilled because this program is in the area of History. To satisfy the Area VIII requirement, the History Department strongly recommends competence in an ancient or modern foreign language through the intermediate level.
3 Among the courses that satisfy this requirement are HIS 103, 104, HIS 106, HIS 107, HIS 109, HIS 111, HIS 131, and HIS 170 at the introductory level, and HIS 308, HIS 311, HIS 312, HIS 313, HIS 314, HIS 315, HIS 316, HIS 317, HIS 318, HIS 319, HIS 320, HIS 332, HIS 337, and HIS 371 at the upper level.