107: The History of Civilization (I) – 3 credits
A survey providing a global perspective of the history of human cultures and institutions from earliest times to 1500 CE, focusing on Europe, Asia, and Africa. The course offers an active and participatory environment to the study of history through discussions, simulations, study of primary sources, and research assignments. Open only to first year students or by permission of department.
108: The History of Civilization (II) – 3 credits
A survey of major world civilizations that provides a global perspective of the development of the modern world from 1500 to the present. The course offers an active and participatory environment to the study of history through discussions, simulations, study of primary sources, and research assignments. Open only to first year students or by permission of department.
109: Historical Methods – 3 credits
This course introduces students to the methods, techniques and conventions of historical research and writing. The course introduces students to such skills as identifying, understanding, analyzing and interpreting primary and secondary sources, compiling bibliographies, citing sources, and understanding historiography. In addition, this course approaches the issue of ethics through a discussion of the ethical responsibilities of historians, including a discussion plagiarism. Required for all history majors.
221: American History Survey (I) – 3 credits
A survey of American history from the Age of Discovery to 1877. American institutions ranging from political and economic to social and cultural will be examined. The evolution of democratic institutions will be considered as well as the impact of science and technology on American Civilization. Not open to freshmen, unless approved by course instructor.
222: American History Survey (II) – 3 credits
A continuing survey of the multiple facets of American Civilization as presented in HI222, focusing on the period from the close of Political Reconstruction in 1877 to the present. The maturation of democratic institutions and the emergence of the United States as a world power will also be examined. Not open to freshmen, unless approved by course instructor.
235: Military History (I) – 3 credits
This course explores the history of classical and European military institutions and patterns of warfare from ancient times through the mid-18th century. The emphasis will be on the “Western Way of War”—the experiences and characteristics that distinguish warfare in the West from the rest of the world.
236: Military History (II) – 3 credits
This course explores the military history of the United States and Europe since the mid-18th century. The emphasis will be on the “Western Way of War”—the experiences and characteristics that distinguish warfare in the West from the rest of the world.
300: Topics will be replaced by distribution requirements
Selected topics offered on occasion. Distribution category varies with topic.
301: The History of Classical Greece (pre-modern) – 3 credits
The history of Ancient Greece from its beginnings to the death of Alexander the Great. Offered alternate years.
302: The History of Rome (pre-modern) – 3 credits
The history of Ancient Rome from earliest times to the reign of Constantine the Great. Offered alternate years.
305: The Middle Ages (pre-modern) – 3 credits
The history of Europe from the accession of Diocletian in 284 C.E. to 1300 C.E. Emphasis is on the three basic elements of medieval society: the Graeco-Roman tradition, the rise of Germanic leadership, and the Christian Church. Offered alternate years.
307: Pre Modern Crusades &ndash 3 credits
308: Global Crusades &ndash 3 credits
These courses will examine the Christian Crusades from the preaching of the First Crusade by Pope Urban II in 1095 to the fall of Acre in 1291. Students will explore the Crusading movement from a variety of perspectives: political, social, economic, and religious. Muslim views of the Crusades will also be considered. Offered alternate years.
312: The Far East in Modern Times (nonwestern) – 3 credits
A survey of Far Eastern history with principal emphasis on the interaction of the Far East and the West in recent times. Offered in alternate years.
313: Islamic Civilization to 1453 (pre-modern, nonwestern) – 3 credits
This course will explore Islamic civilization in the Middle East from its origins in Arabia during the seventh century C.E. to the Mongol invasions of the thirteenth century and the beginnings of the Ottoman Empire. Religious and political developments, as well as literary, artistic, and architectural achievements of the era will be covered. Offered alternate years.
314: The Middle East in Modern Times (nonwestern) – 3 dredits
An historical review of the major religions, civilizations, and empires of this region, with a special emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. Offered alternate years.
316: Latin America: The Republican Period (nonwestern) – 3 credits
The history of Latin America from the early 19th century to the present. Offered alternate years.
318: Problems in African History (nonwestern) – 3 credits
A survey of the history of Tropical Africa from prehistoric times to the present, with attention to related problems. Offered alternate years.
326: Nazi Germany and the Holocaust (modern Europe) – 3 credits
This course examines the political, military, cultural and social history of Germany during the period of Nazi rule, 1933-1945. Special attention is given to the sources of support for Nazism, the structure of the National Socialist state, the role of Adolf Hitler, and the Holocaust. Offered alternate years.
329: Modern Russian History, 1917 to the Present (modern Europe) – 3 credits
This course examines the political, military, and social history of Russia and the Soviet Union from the birth of the Soviet state through the present day. The foundations of the Soviet state -- ideological, industrial, and social -- proved too shaky to support the needs and expectations of a modern society. From Nicholas II to Lenin, Stalin to Yeltsin, this course examines the unique and dynamic leadership of Russia, as well as the lives of ordinary people in this fascinating culture. Offered alternate years.
331: The Colonial Period of American History (US) – 3 dredits
A study of the settlement and development of the British colonies from their origins to 1763. Offered alternate years.
332: The American Revolution (US) – 3 credits
A study of the separation of the 13 British colonies from the mother country and establishment of the United States as an independent nation in the period 1763-1789. Offered alternate years.
334: The Citizen-Soldier in American History. (US) – 3 credits
An examination of the evolution of American military policy from the colonial era through the Vietnamese War, giving special attention to the perennial conflict between the advocates of a professional army and the proponents of a civilian soldiery. Offered alternate years.
338: US Diplomatic History, 1776-1914 (US) – 3 credits
A study of the foreign relations and foreign policies of the United States from the American Revolution up to the First World War. Topics include territorial expansion, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the expansion of American trade, and the Spanish-American War. Offered alternate years.
339: US Diplomatic History, 1914-present (US) – 3 credits
A study of the foreign relations and foreign policy of the United States from the First World War to the present. Topics include the two World Wars, the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and post-cold war policy. Offered alternate years.
342: The Emergence of the Modern United States 1900-1945 (US) – 3 credits
This course will examine the history of the United States in the first half of the 20th century, an era of reform and world war. Topics include the Progressive Era, World War I, the “Roaring Twenties,” the Great Depression and World War II. Offered alternate years.
343: Recent History of the United States, Since 1945 (US) – 3 credits
This course will focus on the history of the United States from World War II to the present, examining the recent historical roots of modern American society. Topics include the Cold War, the upheavals of the 1960s, the Vietnam War, and the Reagan Revolution. Offered alternate years.
351: Europe from 1300 to 1648 (pre-modern) – 3 credits
A study of the development of Europe in transition from medieval to modern times, including topics such as The Black Death, Hundred Years War, Renaissance and Reformation. Offered alternate years.
352: Early Modern Europe, 1648-1815 (modern Europe) – 3 credits
This course examines the political, military, and social history of Europe between the Thirty Years War and the Napoleonic Era. This was a time of dynamic change in ideas and practices, when entire societies felt the effects of the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, political revolution, and Napoleon. This course will focus in particular on how changing ideologies affected everyday life in Europe. Offered alternate years.
353: Nineteenth Century Europe, 1815-1914 (modern Europe) – 3 credits
This course examines the political, military, and social history of Europe between the Napoleonic Era and the First World War. The nineteenth century witnessed remarkable changes in European society and politics. It was an age of romantics and reactionaries, liberals and imperialists, revolutionaries and racists, nationalists and irrationalists. Offered alternate years.
354: Twentieth Century Europe (modern Europe) – 3 credits
This course examines the political, military, and social history of Europe in the 20th century. At the beginning of the century, Europe dominated the world. However, the advent of “total war” accelerated a sequence of events that forever changed Europe and the world. Two world wars, the rise and fall of fascism and communism, the concept of superpowers, and the growth of a mass consumer society destroyed the old European hegemony and led to a new and evolving idea of “Europe.” Offered alternate years.
355: Modern Wars (distribution category varies with topic) – 3 dredits
This course examines one modern war in detail, focusing on the military, political, cultural and social history of the conflict. Focal events include the Civil War, the First World War, the Second World War, and the Vietnam War, on a rotating basis. Offered alternate years.
356: Modern US Wars – 3 credits
357: Modern European Wars – 3 credits
These courses examine one modern war in detail, focusing on the military, political, cultural and social history of the conflict. Focal events include the Civil War, the First World War, the Second World War, and the Vietnam War, on a rotating basis. Offered alternate years.
360: Topics in US History – 3 credits
361: Topics in Modern European History – 3 credits
362: Topics in Pre Modern History &ndash 3 credits
363: Topics in Non-Western History – 3 credits
364: Topics in Global History – 3 credits
405: History Internship – 3, 6, 9 or 12 credits
Supervised experience at a museum, archives, historical society, or restoration project involving research or field work. Direct participation in such activities as the editing of manuscripts, the interpretation of artifacts, or the preservation of historic structures. Prerequisite: permission of department chair. Normally open only to seniors. Offered as occasion demands.
415: Regional Material Culture – 3 credits
A survey of the human-manipulated landscape of Vermont from the time of European settlement to the present. The course will trace the impact of economic, social, cultural, and technological forces on the landscape. Students will observe, through extensive field observations, how those forces have shaped the environment of the region. Topics will range from land use patterns, agricultural practices, commercial t rends and industrial development to community development, architecture, transportation and tourism. Students will learn to interpret the rich and complex tapestry of material culture readily observable in Vermont including: field patterns, stone walls, forests, quarries, town commons, cemeteries, dwellinghouses, meetinghouses, schoolhouses, mills, factories, roads, bridges, commercial centers, and tourist facilities. This two-week field course is offered only in the summer school and meets daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
420: Independent Study in US History – 3 credits
421: Independent Study in Modern European History – 3 credits
422: Independent Study in Pre Modern History – 3 credits
423: Independent Study in Non-Western History – 3 credits
424: Independent Study in Global History – 3 credits
430: Seminar in US History – 3 credits
431: Seminar in Modern European History – 3 credits
432: Seminar in Pre Modern History – 3 credits
433: Seminar in Non-Western History – 3 credits
434: Seminar in Global History – 3 credits
490 & 491: Honors in History – 3 credits each
Two semester sequence; repeatable for credit once. The first semester will be devoted primarily to research; the second to writing. Does not fulfill distribution requirement for major.