History

Department Chair: Dr. Thomas C. Behr, behrt@stthom.edu

As part of the liberal arts mission of the university, the history major guides us to understand the bearing of the past on the present and to appreciate the historical character of human inquiry in exploring the principal philosophical, religious, political, literary, and aesthetic traditions of Western and world culture.

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

HIST 1301: United States History I

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the pre-Columbian era to the Civil War/Reconstruction period. United States History I includes the study of pre-Columbian, colonial, revolutionary, early national, slavery and sectionalism, and the Civil War/Reconstruction eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History I include: American settlement and diversity, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, and creation of the federal government.

HIST 1302: United States History II

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II examines industrialization, immigration, world wars, the Great Depression, Cold War and post-Cold War eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include: American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, urbanization and suburbanization, the expansion of the federal government, and the study of U.S. foreign policy.

HIST 3301: Greek and Roman History

Greek and Roman History will survey the 1000 year history from the founding of the Roman Republic, in the context of ancient kingdoms of the Mediterranean world, to the long collapse of the Roman Empire under the weight of a slew of historical problems, not least of which the invasions of barbarian hordes that led to the creation of Europe.

HIST 3303: Medieval Europe

This course will cover the main events, invasions, battles, church developments, dynasties, economy, ideas, and all the great personalities that contributed to the birth of Europe, from the Sack of Rome to Charlemagne and from the Year 1000 to the Black Death and Hundred Years War.

HIST 3304: Renaissance and Reformation

The European Renaissance, the Protestant and Catholic Reformations and the Age of the Baroque. The dividing of Europe in religion and politics (1300–1715).

HIST 3305: Renaissance Women

This course will examine the social history of early modern times in Europe, from the Renaissance, Italian and Northern, to the era of Protestant Reformation, with a focus on the every day life and conditions of women with attention to faith, family, class, and education.

HIST 3306: Medicine and Society

Medicine and Society uses an historical approach to study the dynamic interplay between disease and society in America. It examines the changing patterns of disease, the roots of morbidity and mortality, the evolution of medical theory and practice, the development of hospitals and the medical profession, the rise of the bio-technology, and post-humanism.

HIST 3307: Giants of Science

The course will survey the interdependent nature of scientific, technological and social change over time, with a focus on direct reading of primary texts in the history of science, from the Pre-Socratics to modern theoretical physicists.

HIST 3308: Music Since 1945

Music Since 1945 is a study of music across the genres of Western Art Music, Jazz, and Rock, with a focus on their mutual influences both internal to their compositional traditions and cultural contexts. A key focus of this course is the role of recording and listening technologies, and the music industry in the development of music during this period.

HIST 3310: East Asian History and Culture

This course will survey the history and cultures of east Asia, including the modern regions of China, Japan, South East Asia, and Korea and the role this region has played in world history, ancient and modern.

HIST 3311: Indo-Pacific History & Culture

Students in this course will study the rise and influence on world events of the vast but inter-connected Indo-Pacific region, geo-politically, economically and militarily, examining the international connections and tensions between Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, South East Asia, India, New Zealand, and China.

HIST 3312: South Asian History & Culture

This course will survey the history and cultures of south Asia, including the modern regions of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the role of this region in world history, including ancient, modern and diaspora history.

HIST 3313: Opera and Ideas

Opera and Ideas explores the interrelation between Western European opera and ideas mainly through the study of major operas and music dramas from the 17th century to the 20th century. No prior musical training is necessary to succeed in this seminar. The seminar requires listening assignments, and attendance at a live opera performance.

HIST 3314: History of Strategic Management

Strategic management is the process of setting goals, procedures, and objectives in order to make a company or organization more competitive and innovative. Strategic management has a history that dates back to antiquity. Students in this course gain knowledge about strategic management and leadership by studying historical examples of successful and unsuccessful organizational strategies. This course examines the evolution of strategic management in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, but also probes the less discussed sources of strategy in the Ancient world (Greece, Rome)

HIST 3315: The Crusades

This course will study the causes and the consequences of the conflicts arising from the expansion of militant Islam and the feudal states of Europe over control of the Holy Land, from the time of Mohammed to the Battle of Lepanto.

HIST 3316: History & Cultures of Africa

This course will survey the long history of continental Africa from pre-history to modern national histories and global contexts, including geographical, social, religious, economic, and political factors.

HIST 3318: Medieval Women

The course will provide a study of medieval history, in terms of politics, society, economy, and culture, from the perspective of women's experience. We will study queens, writers, artists, nuns, merchants, artisans, and peasants in terms of how they were shaped by the times and in turn contributed to shaping their times.

HIST 3320: Modern Catholic Social Thought

The course will survey the range of responses among Catholic laity and Church hierarchy to the crises arising from modernization in general and from the French revolution, in particular: questions of church and state, religious freedom, educational freedom, the “social question” and the rise of revolutionary atheistic socialism. Students gain an understanding of how the pillars of Catholic Social teaching (human person, common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity) developed.

HIST 3321: Liberal Learning Through the Ages

Liberal learning, study of the liberal arts, has been the hallmark of free, self-governing persons since Greek and Roman antiquity. This course will survey the meaning and relevance of liberal education as part of a flourishing human life, from the origin of the concepts to our own hyper-specialized scientific and technology-driven world of today

HIST 3336: Texas History

From the early explorers to the present day: the six flags over Texas, the struggle for independence, the Lone Star Republic, statehood and the creation of the “Texas Mystique.”

HIST 3343: Latin American Revolutions

A topical examination of the history of one or more Latin American nations since independence, with a concentration on the persons, events and institutions that help to explain current developments in Latin America.

HIST 3350: Revolutionary America

A study of colonial origins and revolutionary results such as how Great Britain lost an empire and how Americans created the first democratic republic. This course will focus on society, politics and culture from 1607–1789. Spring,

HIST 3352: Modern US, 1890-Present

A study of the political, social, economic, military, and cultural issues in the Progressive Era, Roaring '20s, New Deal, World Wars, Cold War and its legacies, as well as key events in the 21st century.

HIST 3353: The American Civil War

A study of the contributing factors that help explain the coming of the Civil War, and the resulting failure of attempts to reconstruct the South along desired lines.

HIST 3355: Intercultural Issues

(INST 3355) A survey of world cultures, the factors distinguishing them from one another, and the impact that cultural differences have on international relations. Special emphasis is placed on current cultural issues of major concern to the international community. Prerequisite: Junior Standing. Fall.

HIST 3365: History of Ireland Since 1600

Irish History from the end of the reign of Elizabeth I to the recent Time of Troubles. Special emphasis on the influence of English History, the revolutions of the 18th century, the development of Irish nationalism, the emergence of an Irish nation under the leadership of de Valera and the unsettling issues in the time of troubles.

HIST 3367: New Deal & World War II

To develop a deeper and more complex understanding of the interactions of economics, political, social, cultural, and military issues during the New Deal and World War II eras in American history.

HIST 3368: Scientific Revolutions

Development of modern theories concerning the physical universe and workings of the human body and evolution associated with notable thinkers such as Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Darwin, Einstein, and others.

HIST 3370: The Enlightenment and its Critics

After critical reading of selections from the main thinkers of the Enlightenment, from Descartes to Kant, founders of the ideological currents that lead through modernism to post-modernism, we will consider some important thinkers who have gone against the current of Enlightenment axiomatic beliefs about human nature and human fulfillment, so to speak, with alternative paradigms on the great issues confronting modernity.

HIST 3388: America in the World

This course is a survey of American diplomacy and foreign relations, major conflicts, treaties and alliances, from the colonial era to the present

HIST 3390: Capitalism and Communism

In this course we will critically read selections both the classical liberal, free market tradition, such as Smith and Bastiat to Friedman and Hayek, and from the communist tradition, from Marx to the Frankfurt School.

HIST 4094: Capstone Thesis Preparation Course II

This non–credit course is a continuation of the year long capstone thesis experience in history and is taken in the spring semester of the student’s senior year. The students will complete their Capstone Thesis under the direction of a mentor and second reader. The successful completion of a Capstone Thesis and the presentation of the research at UST research day are requirements for graduation.

HIST 4191: Internship in History

Practical experience in historical research and archival work under the direction of professionals. Maximum: 3 credit hours. Open only to majors who qualify for the program.

HIST 4291: Internship in History

Practical experience in historical research and archival work under the direction of professionals. Maximum: 3 credit hours. Open only to majors who qualify for the program.

HIST 4319: Medieval & Imperial Russia

A study of the major forces and figures that shaped Russian history through the Kievan, Mongol/Appanage, Moscovite and Imperial Russian periods to the mid– 19th century.

HIST 4330: The Historian’s Craft

Students will distinguish conflicting scholarly interpretations of major events in American, European, and World history as well as examine the nature of historical development and causation, the reasons for writing and studying history, the nature of historical evidence, “objectivity” in history, and the emergence of new subfields.

HIST 4345: Greek & Roman Historians

In this course students read from the founders of “history” – Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Polybius, Livy, Tacitus, and Plutarch, for instance – as they explore the human condition and lessons from the past.

HIST 4391: Internship in History

Practical experience in historical research and archival work under the direction of professionals. Maximum: 3 credit hours. Open only to majors who qualify for the program.

HIST 4394: Capstone Thesis Preparation Course I

This course is the first part of the year long capstone thesis experience in history and is taken in the fall semester of the student’s senior year. This course provides preparation for the students to research, write and present a capstone thesis in history. The students will be guided in the initial steps of the topic selection and research. A substantial rough draft of the thesis will be completed by the end of the semester.