Highlighted Courses

Check out some of our popular courses below and view all courses here. 

Black Music

HIST 104

What is black music, and how do we know what we think we know about it? Together, we will examine musical creations pioneered by Africans and individuals of African descent over several centuries and across hemispheres. Doing so will allow us to consider the unity of the African Diaspora and its music, and also examine internal differences and diversity. Special focus is given to Latin America and the U.S., but, depending on the semester, we will also read about, listen to, and talk about music and musicians in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Gen Eds: Cultural Studies - US Minority; Humanities – Hist & Phil

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Western Worlds: Ancient and Medieval Societies from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe

HIST 141

Western societies from antiquity to the early modern age in western Asia, North Africa, and Europe; with an emphasis on cultural exchange, migration, and the transmission of knowledge, ideas, technologies, and arts. Topics include the formation of the earliest civilizations; political and intellectual experiments of the Greek and Roman worlds; emergence of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; military, commercial, social, and educational revolutions of the Middle Ages; rise of independent cities and territorial monarchies; religious upheavals and violent aftermaths.

Gen Eds: Humanities - Hist & Phil; Cultural Studies-Western 

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American Environmental History

HIST 202

Introduction to the historical study of Americans' relationship with the natural world. Examination of the ways that "natural" forces have helped to shape American history; the ways that human beings have shaped, altered, and interacted with nature over time; and the ways that cultural, philosophical, scientific, and political attitudes toward the environment have changed from pre-history to the present.


Gen Eds: Humanities - Hist & Phil; Cultural Studies-Western

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Digital Documentary Publishing

HIST 207

Introduction to the craft of publishing historical materials, with a special focus on how to publish the past in the digital age. Assignments will include historical and methodological readings, as well as hands-on instruction in digital publishing techniques. Skills taught include historical research, content development, project management, and copyright analysis.

Gen Eds: Humanities – Hist & Phil

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Modern Japanese History

HIST 227

Introduction to the history of the Japanese people, their social and cultural systems, politics, and economy, from the mid-sixteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.

Gen Eds: Cultural Studies - Non-West; Humanities – Hist & Phil

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Constructing Race in America

HIST 281

Interdisciplinary examination of the historical, cultural, and social dimensions of race and ethnicity in the United States. Explores the complex and intricate pursuit of multiracial and multicultural democracy.

Gen Eds: Humanities - Hist & Phil; Cultural Studies- US Minority

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Global History of Intelligence

HIST 311

Examines the role of both diplomatic and military intelligence in the political history of major global events and developments from the nineteenth century to the present day. Studies the histories of several major intelligence organizations, as well as the roles played by smaller and non-institutional actors in the global production of intelligence. Focuses on the interplay between intelligence, state policy, and information environments to understand not only the role intelligence played in major events, but also how intelligence practices shaped and reflected political cultures across the world.

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Middle East since World War I

HIST 337

Political-economic, social and ideological developments in Egypt, Arabia, and Fertile Crescent (including Israel), Iran and Turkey since 1918 to the present, including U.S. involvement. The ship stuck in the Suez Canal, the Iranian revolution and the embargo, the Arab Spring, ISIS, Oil money, Islamism, Caliphate, the civil war in Syria, the Arab Spring, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Yazidi persecution, Jihad – In this dynamic and fascinating class, we will touch upon the issues, questions, and controversies that continuously draw the world's attention to the Middle East. By becoming familiar with concepts (like Jihad, caliphate, political Islam, etc.) the students will gain knowledge that will allow them to better understand the current state-of-affairs. 

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History of the American West

HIST 476

This course explores the history of the American West in the continental U.S. in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing on the process of annexation of Indigenous lands, colonization of Indigenous peoples and U.S. settler-colonialism on Indigenous lands. We will also examine “myths” about the American West and their impact on U.S. culture. 

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