History Degree Program

Social sciences core courses (12 credit hours)

• GEO 120 World Regional Geography

  Credits: 3

  Description: A global survey of the geographic interrelationships between people and their environments.

• History elective

  Choose one of the following history courses:

  • HIS 310 The Renaissance and Reformation (3 credits) – This course surveys the fundamental changes in European society that resulted from the Renaissance and Reformation from 1450 to 1650.
     
  • HIS 315 The Age of Enlightenment (3 credits) – This course surveys European history focused on the history of ideas, politics, and culture during the long 18th century.
     
  • HIS 425 History of the British Empire (3 credits) – This course examines the culture, economy, and politics of the British Empire from the loss of the American colonies in the late 18th century through the 20th century. It will examine the reciprocal relationship between Great Britain and two types of colonies: those of conquest in such areas as the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, and those of settlements such as those in North America and the Antipodes. This course will pay special attention to nationalist responses to the British Empire and more contemporary legacies.
     
  • HIS 447 Warfare and Society in World History (3 credits) – This course examines the role of class, race, and gender in warfare, from the earliest recorded wars to the most recent conflicts through a broad range of readings. Students will also conduct a formal research project.
     
  • HIS 450 The American West (3 credits) – The history of the western U.S., with special emphasis on defining the West as a region, the relation to and impact of the West on the rest of the U.S., and changing historical and popular culture interpretations of the West.
     
  • HIS 451 American Indian History (3 credits) - This course will teach the history of Native American peoples from the Pre-Columbian Period to the 21st century. This class will explore the historical implications of the contradictions between American Indian institutions and beliefs and Euro-American institutions and beliefs, and the events and policies that governed the conflict. The focus will be on understanding the diversity of native civilizations and cultures in the Western hemisphere and the varied responses to contact with European culture. Using both primary documents and works by respected historians, this course will examine the complex cultural history of the nation, with a special emphasis on the tribes in Nebraska.
• Political science elective

  Choose one of the following political science courses:

  • POS 350 The American Presidency (3 credits) - The study and analysis of the development of the contemporary presidency, presidential powers, responsibilities, and political relationships.
     
  • POS 355 Politics of the Supreme Court (3 credits) - This course focuses on the political forces that shape the Supreme Court’s decision-making process. Landmark cases will be closely examined and placed in their political, cultural, and historical context. In addition, students will examine different theories of adjudication, the selection process, and the Supreme Court’s relationship with the other political branches.
     
  • POS 365 Comparative Government and Politics (3 credits) - Analysis and comparison of the political systems and processes of selected countries.
     
  • POS 420 American Constitutional Law (3 credits) - A study of the U.S. Constitution and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations of the Constitution: judicial review, governmental powers, and rights of citizens, including both civil and criminal rights.
     
  • POS 425 Rights and Liberties (3 credits) - A study of the Bill of Rights and the impact of the Supreme Court’s interpretations on its provisions. Subjects include freedoms of religion, freedoms of speech, freedom of the press, the right to keep and bear arms, search and seizure, the right to counsel, cruel and unusual punishment, discrimination, and the right to privacy.
     
  • POS 445 Public Administration and Management (3 credits) - Concepts of public administration and management processes, introduction to administrative processes of personnel, budgeting, and program management; analysis of public bureaucracy’s function from a public policy perspective.
• Concentration-based elective

  Choose one of the following courses, depending on your concentration:
  
  Note: Geography majors must take GEO 315 World Economic Geography. History majors must take SSC 490 Social Sciences Research Seminar, or appropriate Honors Course 395 or 499. Political Science majors must take POS 430 Public Policy, or appropriate Honors Course 395 or 499.

  • GEO 315 World Economic Geography (3 credits) – A study of resource use, locational choices, and regional specialization in the global economy. Special emphasis is given to the factors involving uneven patterns of social and economic development and the impact of globalization at various scales.
     
  • POS 430 Public Policy (3 credits) – The study of domestic policymaking processes and institutions at all levels, taught from an intergovernmental relations perspective.
     
  • SSC 485 Social Sciences Senior Seminar (3 credits) – Students will complete a written project on a topic chosen with their advisor. This project is intended to integrate all disciplines and approaches taken in the major, demonstrating the interrelation of the social sciences. The advisor will meet with various faculty members to facilitate discussion of the integration of ideas through the student’s coursework. Prerequisite: Senior standing, permission of the advisor.
     
  • SSC 490 Social Sciences Research Seminar (3 credits) - A study of the techniques of historical and Social Sciences research and writing. Students will complete a major research project on a topic of their choice and present the results to the seminar. Students in Honors Colloquium 499 are exempt from SSC 490 when required in a major endorsement.
     
  • Honors Course 395 Independent Study (3 credits) - Advanced reading and research in special problems, resulting in written evidence of quality work completed. Prerequisites: 3.3 cumulative GPA and consent of instructor, department chair, and Director of the Honors Program.
     
  • Honors Course 499 Senior Honors Colloquium (3 credits) - Seminar presentations. Students present senior project during honors colloquium presentations on campus either in spring or fall term. May be applied to the major or minor or endorsement. Prerequisites: 3 credit hours of 395 Independent Study and a GPA of 3.3 or better in the major, and a cumulative GPA of 3.3.

• HIS 170 World Civilizations I

  Credits: 3

  Description: This course surveys the world’s cultures and their interactions from the rise of civilization through the age of European expansion. Required for majors and educator preparation candidates seeking a Social Sciences field endorsement or a history subject endorsement.

• HIS 171 World Civilizations II

  Credits: 3

  Description: This course surveys the world’s cultures from the age of the European voyages of discovery to the twentieth century. Required for majors and educator preparation candidates seeking a Social Sciences field endorsement or a history subject endorsement.

• HIS 280 America, 15,000 B.C. to 1845

  Credits: 3

  Description: A comprehensive survey of American History from the Pre-Columbian Period to the beginning of the Mexican-American War, including a survey of Pre-Columbian cultures, the Colonial Era, the American Revolution, the Early National Period, and Antebellum America. This course focuses on studying the diversity of America by analyzing and interpreting the role of gender, class, race, and ethnicity in history. Students will engage in historical research using multiple historical and contemporary sources to investigate, interpret, and analyze the events of the time under study and the persistent issues that have compelled this dynamic nation forward. This class is required for majors and educator preparation candidates seeking a Social Sciences field endorsement or a History subject endorsement.

• HIS 281 America, 1845-1945

  Credits: 3

  Description: A comprehensive survey of American History from 1845 to 1945, including a survey of Western expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II. The course focuses on studying the diversity of America by analyzing and interpreting the role of gender, class, race, and ethnicity in history. Students will engage in historical research using multiple historical and contemporary sources to investigate, interpret, and analyze the events of the time under study and the persistent issues that have compelled this dynamic nation forward. This class is required for majors and educator preparation candidates seeking a Social Sciences field endorsement or a History subject endorsement.

• HIS 385 America, 1945 to the Present

  Credits: 3

  Description: A survey of America in the latter half of the century. Topics include World War II, Industrialism, the Cold War, and changes in American domestic and foreign policies.

• U.S. History upper-level course (3 credits)

  Choose one of the following courses:

  • HIS 444 Topics in American History (3 credits) - Current or special issues in American history will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to study important issues in American history. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics.
     
  • HIS 450 The American West (3 credits) - The history of the western U.S., with special emphasis on defining the West as a region, the relation to and impact of the West on the rest of the U.S., and changing historical and popular culture interpretations of the West.
     
  • HIS 451 American Indian History (3 credits) - This course will teach the history of Native American peoples from the Pre-Columbian Period to the 21st century. This class will explore the historical implications of the contradictions between American Indian institutions and beliefs and Euro-American institutions and beliefs and the events and policies that governed the conflict. The focus will be on understanding the diversity of native civilizations and cultures in the Western hemisphere and the varied responses to contact with European culture. Using both primary documents and works by respected historians, this course will examine the complex cultural history of the nation, with a special emphasis on the tribes in Nebraska.
     
  • HIS 465 The American Civil Rights Movement (3 credits) - Examines the development and achievements of the mid-20th century U.S. civil rights movement. The emphasis will be on the activities of civil rights organizations and their leaders; forms of white resistance, both north and south, and economic, political, and cultural legacy of the movement.
     
  • HIS 476 Recent American Culture (3 credits) - An examination of the main themes and issues in American culture in the 20th century. The course focuses on the development of a post-industrial mass culture and the interaction of important thinkers and ideas with historical events and trends in popular culture.
     
  • HIS 490/590 Geography and History of Nebraska (3 credits) - A history and geography of Nebraska focusing on principal people, events, and themes in the state’s history. Also listed as GEO 490/590.
• Non-U.S. History upper-level courses (6 credits)

  Choose two of the following courses:

  • HIS 405 Mind-Altering Substances in World History (3 credits) - This course examines how human societies have conceptualized the meanings associated with mind-altering substances through time. It also examines the influence of these material goods on culture, economics, and politics. Students will learn through discussions of course readings and through the completion of a research project.
     
  • HIS 423 History of Spain, 1469-Present (3 credits) - This course is a discussion-oriented seminar on the history of Spain and its empire, focusing particularly on how the experience of Spain both reflects and departs from the general European experience. The intersection of religion, politics, and culture will be considered, especially as they relate to regional, national, and ethnic identity. The course will also introduce students to a variety of recent trends in the study of Spanish history.
     
  • HIS 425 History of the British Empire (3 credits) - This course examines the culture, economy, and politics of the British Empire from the loss of the American colonies in the late 18th century through the 20th century. It will examine the reciprocal relationship between Great Britain and two types of colonies: those of conquest in such areas as the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, and those of settlements such as those in North America and the Antipodes. This course will pay special attention to nationalist responses to the British Empire and more contemporary legacies.
     
  • HIS 443 Topics in World History (3 credits) - Current or special issues in world history will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to study important issues in global history. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics.
     
  • HIS 447 Warfare and Society in World History (3 credits) - This course examines the role of class, race, and gender in warfare, from the earliest recorded wars to the most recent conflicts through a broad range of readings. Students will also conduct a formal research project.
• History electives (6-12 credits)

  Choose two courses (6 credit hours) from the courses below for the 30-credit hour concentration, or four courses (12 credit hours) for the 36-credit hour concentration.

  • GEO 360 Geography of Russia (3 credits) - A regional survey of the territory of Russia and the newly independent states that emerged from the breakup of the USSR. The focus of the course is on human, physical, and historical geography of the 15 countries in the region, which includes parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Issues to be addressed include recent efforts toward economic restructuring, relations among the former republics and nationalities, and current events/problems.
     
  • GEO 370 Geography of Latin America (3 credits) - A regional survey of Latin America in terms of its physical environment, history, culture, economic development, political systems, and demographic trends.

  • HIS 300 The Ancient World (3 credits) - A survey of the ancient Near East, Greece, and Rome, from the Neolithic Revolution to the decline of the Roman Empire in the West, circa 10,000 B.C. to 400 A.D. The emphasis is on cross-cultural borrowings and the diverse patterns of social and political organization.
     
  • HIS 317 Nineteenth Century Europe (3 credits) - This course surveys European history from the French Revolution to the eve of World War I, studying such major movements and events as the rise of industrial civilization and the unification of Germany and Italy.
     
  • HIS 319 The Two World Wars, 1914-1945 (3 credits) - This course surveys the major contours and problems in the history of World War I, the interwar period, and World War II from a global perspective. It examines both wars through the lens of military history, in addition to examining the ways in which these wars shaped the lives of those who lived through them.
     
  • HIS 335 History of India (3 credits) - This course provides a broad introduction to the history and culture of India, which also includes the modern states of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It will begin with Harappan civilization in the Indus Valley and follow through the Mughal Empires, British Raj, the Nationalist Movement, Independence, and, finally, the struggles South Asians face today.
     
  • HIS 345 History of Empire through Film (3 credits) - This course examines how the effects of empire, colonialism, and postcolonialism are manifested in key films from around the world. Each film is accompanied by required readings exploring historical realities behind film, the cultural context it portrays, and the contemporary cultural context of its production.
     
  • HIS 360 Colonial and Revolutionary America (3 credits) - Traces the growth of America from the first settlements to the establishment of the Constitution in 1789.
     
  • HIS 370 The New Nation, 1789-1815 (3 credits) - Traces American history from the establishment of the Constitution in 1789 to the end of the War of 1812. Focuses on the contributions of the Founding Fathers - Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison - and on the impact of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
     
  • HIS 380 America, Civil War Era (3 credits) - A detailed survey of the political, legal, economic, and social issues of the Antebellum period, Civil War, the era of Reconstruction, the expansion of the West, and the growth of industrialism.