Full-Time Faculty: Nancy J. Rosenbloom, Chair;
Thomas M. Banchich1, 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, Jonathan Mercantini, Walter G. Sharrow, Daniel P. Starr, James S. Valone.
The History Department offers a series of wide-ranging courses at both the introductory and advanced levels that 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.
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 that 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 increased understanding of those content areas.
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 their 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). Further information may be obtained from departmental advisors or the department chair.
Admission
Admission to the history major 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)2 | (42) | |
| 3. | Major course requirements: (12 courses) | (36) | |
| 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. | |||
| 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 hstory, a master of science degree in education (social studies), and New York State Certification in social studies at the secondary level. This program has been certified 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:
The History minor complements majors in other academic departments by providing students with exposure to the study of history that is both comprehensive and intensive.
Students majoring in various disciplines such as English, communications, psychology, political science and philosophy can often benefit from pursuing a minor in history. Those students who hope to pursue graduate studies in the aforementioned disciplines, as well as law, would be well-advised to consider a history minor.
The History minor requires a student to complete the following sequence of courses for a total of seven courses (21):
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)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.
Upper-level courses: four or five history courses (200-499). (12 or 15)
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.
COURSES: 2005 – 2007
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 Hellenistic period. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 104 (CLS 104) Roman History: Origins to Late Antiquity 3
Social, political and intellectual history of Rome from the foundation of the city to Late Antiquity. (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)
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 the Far East, and South Asia. (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 that helped to 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
Introduction to major themes of American history through the Civil War including: the Columbian Exchange and colonization, American Revolution, paradox of freedom and slavery, emergence of a market economy, secession and Reconstruction. (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 the development of feminism as an intellectual and political force. (AS IV) (ICD)
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 232 A History of Modern Germany 3
A broad survey of modern German history from the end of the Middle Ages and Protestant Reformation through the unification of Germany in 1871, two world wars, the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust, to the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification.
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. 2005-2006 only
HIS 255 African American History 3
Overview of African American history from African roots and American enslavement to today’s hip-hop music. Emphasis is on black survival and strategies for liberation. Team learning course. (AS IV) (ICD)
HIS 260 - Canada and the World (IR)
A survey of Canada’s place in world history from the colonial period to the present. Among the topics examined are Native-Canadians, the British-French rivalry for North America, Canada’s emergence as a nation within the British empire, Canada-US relations and the modern multicultural Canadian state.
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 302 Atlantic World 3
The social, cultural, political, and economic interactions of the three main geographic groups - American, African, and European will be identified and analyzed. Special attention will be paid to the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the development of new societies in the Western World.
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.
HIS 308 (CLS 308) Pagans and Christians 3
See CLS 308. (AS VI) 2005-2006 only
HIS 309 World War I 3
A study of the origins, conduct and aftermath of the Great War from a global perspective. Emphasis on the diplomatic, social and military aspects of the War. 2005-2006 only
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. 2006-2007 only
HIS 312 (CLS 312) The Greek Enlightenment 3
See CLS 312. (AS V) 2006-2007 only
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. 2005-2006 only
HIS 315 (FAH 245) Italian Renaissance Art 3
See FAH 245.
HIS 316 Reformation Europe 3
The Reformation from Luther to the 30 Years War.
HIS 319 The French Enlightenment 3
Intellectual, cultural and social history of 18th century enlightenment with specific emphasis on Voltaire, Diderot, Montequis and Rousseau.
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.
HIS 327 History of Modern Ireland 3
Examines political, social and cultural developments from medieval origins through invasion, conquest, colonization and finally independence from Great Britain. Special emphasis on the development of Irish nationalism and on the emergence of Eire as a modern European state. 2006-2007 only
HIS 328 The Third Reich 3
Examines the theory and practice of Nazi racial policy from Hitler’s appointment as German chancellor in 1933 through the mass murder of approximately six million Jews by the end of World War II. 2006-2007 only
HIS 331 (PSC 355) European Union 3
See PSC 355.
HIS 332 Medieval and Early Modern England 3
Growth of English society and government from 1154 to 1688. Topics include the evolution of common law and parliamentary government as well as the social impact of reformation and revolution. 2005-2006 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. 2005-2006 only
HIS 334 Britain in the Age of Victoria. 3
Social and political history of 19th-century Britain. Topics include the transition from rural to urban society, the evolution from aristocratic to democratic politics, and the emergence of characteristically ‘Victorian’ social and cultural patterns. 2006-2007 only
HIS 336 Modern Mexico 3
History of Mexico in the twentieth century. Emphasis on Mexican Revolution, society, petroleum and one-party rule. 2005-2006 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.
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. 2006-2007 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.
HIS 341 Europe: The Violent Decade 1936-48 3
The course will examine in detail the Spanish Civil War, The Rise of the Radical Right in Central & Eastern Europe, Soviet Totalitarianism, World War II and its aftermath.
HIS 345 (PSC 357) Soviet Union and After 3
Political, economic and foreign policies of the Communist regime. 2005-2006 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. 2005-2006 only
HIS 347 (PSC 347) The History of Marxism 3
History of Marxism as an intellectual tradition, with emphasis n writings of Marx and Lenin, from the nineteenth to the twentieth century. (AS V)
HIS 350 (PSC 350) 20th Century Eastern Europe 3
Ethnic, linguistic and geographic origins. Emphasis on social, political, economic, and cultural developments since 1918. 2006-2007 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. 2005-2006 only
HIS 356 Twentieth Century China 3
Examines the evolution of Chinese society from the imperial era, through the world wars, the Communist Revolution and the re-emergence of China as a major economic and political power.
HIS 358: Traditional Japan 3
This course examines the roots of Japanese history and culture from ancient times. Among the topics studied are early Japanese religion and society, the court culture of the Heian era, Japanese feudalism and the transition to the modern world in the Tokugawa period. As well as history, a strong emphasis is placed on Japanese artistic and literary traditions.
HIS 359: History of Japan: 1868 - Present 3
Development of modern Japan from Restoration of 1868 to the present.
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.
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.
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.
HIS 367 The Old South 3
Investigation of the American South from colonization to the Civil War. Special attention will be paid to those factors which seem to make the South a distinct region, especially the peculiar institution of slavery.
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 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.
HIS 371 Colonial America 3
Examination of British North America including the nature of the colonists, their contact with other peoples, the origins of slavery and the creation of a distinct American society.
HIS 372 American Revolution 3
Exploration of the political, social and constitutional issues in the era of American independence. In particular we will try to answer the question, “Was the American Revolution truly revolutionary?”
HIS 373 (URS 373) Urban Portraits: Topics in American Urban History 3
An exploration of six cities in critical periods of the development of American urban culture. Philadelphia and New York City, 1660-1880; Chicago and New Orleans, 1880-1920; and Atlanta and Los Angeles, 1870-1968. 2006-2007 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.
HIS 378 Harlem Renaissance 3
Explores African American history from emancipation to the rise of a “New Negro” in the Harlem Renaissance. Special attention is paid to violence (esp. lynchings), segregation, the Great Migration and a new sense of racial pride after World War I.
HIS 379 Video Killed the Radio Star: America in the 1980’s 3
From Pac-Man to Madonna to the Cosby Show, this course will examine cultural icons of the Reagan era. We will investigate the role of mass media in shaping our lives, through TV, film, advertising and other means.
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 and the emergence of American pluralism.
HIS 382 (URS 382) New York State History 3
History of the Empire State will stress social and cultural development from the Iroquois background to the present.
HIS 383 America in the Progressive Era 3
Explores American social and political reform around the turn
of the century (1890-1920) with particular emphasis on: conflicts that accompanied rapid urbanization and industrialization, debates on democracy, freedom and the role of government, the rise of the “New Woman,” modernism in art and literature and World War I.
HIS 388 Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll 3
Covers the supposedly “quiet” period after World War II. Topics include the baby boom, the Soviet Menace, atomic espionage, the Hollywood blacklist, the rise of television, Elvis Presley and teen culture, desegregation and the Beats. 2006-2007 only
HIS 389 1960’s 3
Treats one of the most tumultuous decades in American history. Topics include the Kennedys and Camelot, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam war, student protest, the Beatles, the women’s movement, the drug culture, “free love,” race riots and domestic terrorism. 2005-2006
HIS 390 Civil Rights Movement 3
Examines the African American movement to end racial injustice. Focus is on dramatic events since World War II, black leaders and organizations, white resistance and the federal government’s response. The impact and the legacy of the movement will be considered.
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. 2005-2006 only
HIS 394 (PSC 397) Contemporary Middle East 3
History of Middle East from the last days of the Ottoman Empire through mandate system established by Versailles Peace Conference to struggle for independence during and after World War II. 2006-2007 only
HIS 395 (WST 341) History of American Women 3
Examines the social experiences of American women from colonial times to the present with particular emphasis on work, marriage and the family, politics, and reform.
HIS 396 (URS 390) Politics and Society in American Film 3
Explores how film illuminates American social and political life with attention to the origins of the motion picture industry, the struggle over censorship and the challenges of political radicalism. Focus on classic films that reflect immigration and urbanization, women and the family, civil rights and political leadership. 2005-2006 only
HIS 399 American Diplomatic History 3
An overview of American foreign policy from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War. Emphasis on the imperial period since 1898.
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 and 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. 2005-2006 only
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 and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, 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.
HIS 502 Main Themes in American History 3
Historiography and methodology of American history from the colonial times to the present. Course will primarily emphasize such themes as: revolution, identity and the struggle for equality but will also include pedagogy and instructional strategies. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor or graduate status.
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, 372 at the upper level.