Undergraduate Programs
Special Note
The courses listed to the left come from 2009-2010 CMU Undergraduate Academic Bulletin. For courses listed in previous editions, go to the CMU Academic Bulletins page.
Go to Graduate Courses.
Undergraduate Courses
HST 100 Dynamics of the Past: An
Introduction to the Study of History 3(3-0)
Investigates how the past lives in the present and influences
the future. Library is used as laboratory to answer historical
questions; memorizing answers is deemphasized.
HST 101 The Development of Western Civilization 3(3-0)
Selected political, economic, social, religious, intellectual,
and aesthetic elements in the background of present-day western
civilization from the beginning of historic times to today. HST
101: from ancient times to 1700 A.D.; HST 102: from 1700 to the
present. (University Program Group I-A)
HST 102 The Development of Western Civilization 3(3-0)
Selected political, economic, social, religious, intellectual,
and aesthetic elements in the background of present-day western
civilization from the beginning of historic times to today. HST
101: from ancient times to 1700 A.D.; HST 102: from 1700 to the
present. (University Program Group I-A)
HST 106 Twentieth Century: Western World Issues 3(3-0)
Issues of contemporary importance, such as the threat of nuclear
war, the rise of dictatorship, world wars, dissent. (University
Program Group III-B)
HST 110 The American Experience 3(3-0)
Surveys of the main themes of American history. Collectively the
themes should help us understand who we are-and in turn who we
should be. (University Program Group I-A)
HST 111 United States to 1865 3(3-0)
A broad and interpretative study of the United States before the
Civil War. (University Program Group III-B)
HST 112 United States 1865 to the Present 3(3-0)
A broad and interpretative study of the United States since the
Civil War. (University Program Group III-B)
HST 163 The Latin American Experience 3(3-0)
Introduction to Latin American history and cultures; emphasis
given the Precolumbian civilizations, European conquest and
colonization, and modern Latin America's prospects and problems.
(University Program Group IV-B)
HST 168 The Far East 3(3-0)
Japan, China, and related areas from historical beginnings to
the present with emphasis on the last two centuries. (University
Program Group IV-B)
HST 176 The African Experience 3(3-0)
Introduction to African history and cultures; emphasizes
indigenous societies and their development, European influence
and control, and the problems and prospects of independent
Africa. (University Program Group IV-B)
HST 200 The Medieval Civilization 3(3-0)
Development of a new cultural synthesis as medieval civilization
struggles to survive while becoming the predecessor of the
modern Western world. (University Program Group I-A)
HST 221/WST 221 Growing Up in America 3(3-0)
Child rearing, education, social experiences, search for
identity, and finding a career from colonial times to the
present. Emphasis on late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Identical to WST 221. Credit may not be earned in more than one
of these courses. (University Program Group IV-A)
HST 228 American Business: A History 3(3-0)
A history of American business with primary emphasis on the role
of individuals and the evolution of institutions-partnerships,
corporations, and conglomerates. (University Program Group
III-A)
HST 236 The Near East to Alexander 3(3-0)
The cultural and political development of the Middle East and
Egypt from the earliest times to the age of Alexander the Great.
(University Program Group IV-B)
HST 237 The Middle East since Muhammad 3(3-0)
An examination of the history and cultures of the Middle East
from the origins and expansion of Islam until modern times.
(University Program Group IV - B)
HST 238 Ancient Greece and Rome 3(3-0)
The development of Greek and Roman civilization to A.D. 565.
(University Program Group I-A)
HST 280 Nazi Germany and the Holocaust 3(3-0)
An examination of the events and ideas in Germany and elsewhere
that produced the Nazi state and the Holocaust.
HST 292 Global Perspectives on Non-Western History 3(3-0)
Variable content, examining one non-Western area in the context
of world historical patterns and current Michigan social studies
requirements. Prerequisites: None
HST 297 Special Studies 1-6(Spec)
Each offering studies a selected historical topic using
readings, discussion, lecture, and research as appropriate.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Spring 2010 Special Studies topic:
The Age of Exploration
HST 300 A Mid-tier Experience for History Majors: Teaching
History in Secondary Schools 2(1-2)
The Mid-tier Experience provides observations and small-group
instructional opportunities for students seeking secondary
certification in history. Course includes both campus
instruction and field work. CR/NC only. Prerequisites:
completion of a minimum of 15 hours of history on a signed
major; admission to teacher education; junior standing.
HST 301 The Craft of History 3(3-0)
Study of history as a scholarly discipline with emphasis given
to historical theory, concepts, methodology, fields, and the
history of historical thinking and writing. Specific topics and
materials will vary from semester to semester. Prerequisites: 9
hours of history and a signed history major or minor.
HST 312 American Military Experience 3(3-0)
The role of American armed forces in peace and war. As social
institutions the armed forces reflect political, social, and
economic developments of the time.
HST 315 The Vietnam War 3(3-0)
Examines the modern conflicts in Vietnam, the American
experience in Indochina from 1945 to 1975, and the war's
implications for the United States.
HST 319 The United States since World War II 3(3-0)
An analysis of post World-War II political, economic, and social
developments in America.
HST 320 United States Social History to 1865 3(3-0)
Founding and social structure of regional societies; religious
and family life; social problems and reform; emphasis on slavery
and nineteenth century origins of modern institutions.
HST 321 United States Social History since 1865 3(3-0)
Experience of different classes, age, sex and ethnic groups, and
development of new social institutions; stresses the historical
roots of current social problems. (University Program Group
III-B)
HST 322 Westward Movement in America 3(3-0)
The impact of territorial expansion in the United States upon
economics, culture, and politics.
HST 323 History of Native Americans 3(3-0)
The study of native peoples of North America before Columbus,
and the interrelationships between the native peoples and
European immigrants after Columbus. (University Program Group
IV-C)
HST 324 African-American History to 1915 3(3-0)
Examines African-American leadership, social and political life
in the New World from slavery to the pre-World War I period.
(University Program Group IV-C)
HST 325 African-Americans in Twentieth Century America 3(3-0)
Analyzes change and continuity in African-American leadership,
tactics, social and political life in efforts to gain full
equality. (University Program Group IV-C)
HST 326/WST 328 Women in America 3(3-0)
Study of the traditional position of women in American society
as documented in historical, literary, and biographical sources.
Identical to WST 328. Credit may not be earned in more than one
of these courses. (University Program Group I-A)
HST 328 Technology in American History 3(3-0)
Examines the role of technology in the economic, social and cultural history
of the United States from the colonial era to the early 21st century.
Recommended: At least 12 hours of humanities or social science courses.
HST 330 U.S. Constitutional History 3(3-0)
Historical overview of the critical events and ideologies that
shaped the U.S. Constitution and how the courts have interpreted
the U.S. Constitution since 1787.
HST 333 History of Michigan 3(3-0)
A study of the development of Michigan, from earliest settlement
by Native Americans to the present, focusing on economic,
social, and political history.
HST 335 History of the Rock and Roll Era 3(3-0)
The historical origins and evolution of rock music within the
context of cultural, social, political, and economic history.
Prerequisites: at least sophomore standing.
HST 336 Iran and Iraq in History 3(3-0)
An examination of the interrelated histories of Iran and Iraq
from the emergence of the first cities and states around 4000
BCE to the present.
HST 338 The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire 3(3-0)
War, politics, society, religion, and culture in the
Mediterranean world of the later Roman empire (c. 250-650 AD).
HST 340 The High Middle Ages 3(3-0)
An interdisciplinary thematic study of the key facets of the
medieval West at its high point: its environment, people,
religion and cultural achievements. (University Program Group
IV-A)
HST 341 Renaissance and Reformation 3(3-0)
Social, cultural, intellectual, and political history of these
two movements in Europe to 1600. (University Program Group I-A)
HST 342 The Culture of Renaissance Italy (Study Abroad)
3(Spec)
Renaissance Italy (4 weeks on site) as it survives in texts,
churches and museums of the five major Renaissance cultural
centers: Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples. (University
Program Group I-A)
HST 343 History of Paris 3(3-0)
This course addresses key moments in the history of France's
capital from an interdisciplinary perspective. Recommended:
Any European history and/or French Literature/culture courses.
HST 344 Modern Europe, 1815-1918 3(3-0)
The economic, political, social, cultural, and diplomatic
developments in Europe from the close of the Napoleonic era to
the end of World War I.
HST 347 The French Revolution and Napoleonic Period 3(3-0)
Origin and development of the French Revolution and the role of
Napoleon in European history, 1787-1815. (University Program
Group III-B)
HST 348 Russia through the Reign of Catherine the Great
3(3-0)
A social, cultural, and political study of Russia from the ninth
to the eighteenth century.
HST 349 Russia in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
3(3-0)
A social, cultural, and political study of Russia in the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
HST 350 England to 1688 3(3-0)
From Anglo-Saxon times through the reign of the Stuarts.
HST 351 Britain since 1689 3(3-0)
Political, economic, social, and religious history of early
modern and modern Britain (England, Scotland, Ireland, and
Wales) from the later Stuarts to the present.
HST 353 Germany since 1870 3(3-0)
The German experience since the formation of the Empire,
including the processes, problems, and aftereffects of wars,
revolutions, constitutions, totalitarianism, and peace.
HST 354/WST 354 Women in European History 3(3-0)
Surveys and analyzes the traditional and nontraditional roles of
women in European history, using new historical research.
Identical to WST 354. Credit may not be earned in more than one
of these courses.
HST 356/EUR 302 Europe Since 1945 3(3-0)
A study of political, social, economic and cultural change in
Europe from the end of the Second World War to the present.
Identical to EUR 302. Credit may not be earned in more than one
of these courses.
HST 362 Latin American Revolutions: Mexico, Cuba and Central
America 3(3-0)
The Circum-Caribbean in the Twentieth Century with primary
emphasis on the origin and development of the Mexican, Cuban,
and Central American Revolutions.
HST 369 Traditional China 3(3-0)
A study of the political, social, and cultural history of China
from earliest times to the nineteenth century.
HST 370 Modern China 3(3-0)
The political and social history of China from the Opium War to
the present.
HST 376 East/Central Africa: Issues 3(3-0)
Explores a varying selection of issues concerning historic and
contemporary patterns of political and economic organizations,
international relations in Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, Zaire,
Uganda, Kenya.
HST 377 West Africa 3(3-0)
An overview of West African history emphasizing the post-1800
period and especially developments since independence.
HST 378 South Africa 3(3-0)
The conflict between European immigrants and indigenous
Africans; the effects of white minority rule, including
apartheid; successful African efforts to achieve majority rule.
HST 379/HUM 340 Race, Class and Power: South Africa in the
20th Century 3(3-0)
The course explores the challenges to Afrikaner nationalism and
its apartheid policies by traditional liberalism, Black African
nationalism, revolutionary Marxism and ethnic mobilization.
Identical to HUM 340. Credit may not be earned in more than one
of these courses. Prerequisites: HST 176 or PSC 340. (University Program Group IV-A).
HST 382/REL 382 History of Israel 3(3-0)
Israel and Palestine from ancient times to the present,
including background to contemporary Zionism and the conflict
with Arab nationalism. Identical to REL 382. Credit may not be
earned in more than one of these courses.
HST 397 Special Studies 1-6(Spec)
Each offering studies a selected historical topic using
readings, discussion, lecture, and research as appropriate.
HST 400 History for Secondary Schools 3(3-0)
Translates the study and methodology of history into teaching
practices appropriate for secondary schools, and evaluates
recent proposals for improving history instruction.
Prerequisites: admission to teacher education program; 18 hours
of history, or current enrollment in 18th hour; 2.70 GPA in
history major or minor; or permission of instructor.
HST 491 Independent Research 3(Spec)
Research and writing on a topic selected in consultation with an
instructor. HST 491 may not be used as a substitute for HST 496.
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing with B average in 12
hours of history; permission of instructor and the department
chairperson.
HST 496 Research Seminar 3(3-0)
Historical research and writing. This course or an arranged
substitute required on all majors. History 496 Research Seminar Topics
HST 497 Special Studies 1-6(Spec)
Each offering studies a selected historical topic using
readings, discussion, lecture, and research as appropriate.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
HST 498 Honors Thesis 3(Spec)
The student, with guidance from a thesis advisor, researches and
writes an undergraduate thesis. Prior written approval by thesis
advisor and chairperson required. Prerequisites: completion of
90 credit hours, including 24 credit hours in History.
HST 505 Tudor England 3(3-0)
A study of the political, religious, social and cultural life of
England under the Tudors, with special consideration given the
reign of Henry VIII. Prerequisite: one of HST 101, HST 102, HST
350 or HST 351.
HST 511 Colonial British America 3(3-0)
Explores the social, cultural and political development of
British America in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Prerequisites: one of the following: HST 111, HST 323, HST 324,
HST 326, HST 351.
HST 512 Era of the American Revolution 3(3-0)
The causes of the War of Independence, the course of the war,
the political, social, and cultural change of the Revolutionary
period; and the formation of the Federal Constitution.
Prerequisites: HST 110 or HST 111; HST 301.
HST 513 Era of the Early Republic, 1789-1825 3(3-0)
An investigation of nation-building, the formation of new
institutions, ideologies, decision-making, and personalities
during the precarious decades following the American Revolution.
Prerequisites: HST 110 or HST 111; HST 301.
HST 514 The Jacksonian Era 3(3-0)
Examines "The Age of the Common Man" for changes in the
political and economic structure of America, especially
Jacksonians as molders or reflectors of society.
HST 515 Civil War and Reconstruction 3(3-0)
Causes and process of secession, the conduct of the war, and the
reconstruction of the South to 1877. Prerequisites: HST 111 or
HST 320.
HST 516 Emergence of Modern America, 1877-1920 3(3-0)
Social, political, cultural, and economic developments from the
end of Reconstruction through the Progressive era. Prerequisite:
HST 112 or HST 321.
HST 517 U.S. Rise in World Leadership, 1917-1945 3(3-0)
The United States as a world power after World War I, the decade
of the 1920s, the depression era, the impact of modern global
war.
HST 518 African-Americans and the Legal Process 3(3-0)
Course examines the unique inter-relationship between
African-Americans and the American legal system from Colonial
times to the present. Prerequisites: 6 hours from: HST 111 or
HST 320 or HST 324(3) and HST 112 or HST 321 or HST 325 (3).
HST 523 American Diplomatic History, 1775-1898 3(3-0)
The major issues in American diplomacy, beginning with the birth
of the Republic and continuing to the Spanish-American War.
Prerequisites: HST 110, HST 111.
HST 524 American Diplomatic History since 1898 3(3-0)
The major issues of United States diplomacy, beginning with the
Spanish-American War and continuing to the present.
HST 525 The Industrialization of America 3(3-0)
This course analyzes how industrialization transformed America
and how it altered living standards, culture, labor, business,
and politics. Prerequisites: 12 hours of humanities and social
science.
HST 526 Modern American Political Culture, 1865-Present 3 (3-0)
Using cultural texts such as films, novels, monographs and lectures,
this course examines American politics and political culture from
1865 to the present. Prerequisites: HST 112 or PSC 105 and 9
additional hours of history or political science; or graduate
standing.
HST 532 Michigan History Studies 1-3(Spec)
Individual and group studies in regional and local Michigan
history.
HST 535 The Middle East in the Modern Era 3 (3-0)
An examination of the history of the Middle East and its relations
with Europe and the United States from the 17th century to the
present. Prerequisites: HST 237 or admission to the graduate
program in history.
HST 537 The Age of Cicero 3(3-0)
Social, political, and intellectual life of the late Roman
Republic, based primarily on the reading of contemporary sources
in translation.
HST 538 Athens: Classical Period 3(3-0)
Athenian political and social change in the sixth and fifth
centuries B.C. relying primarily on contemporary or near
contemporary documents in translation. Recommended: HST 238.
HST 542 The Enlightenment in Europe 3(3-0)
The social, cultural, political and intellectual history of
Europe in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Prerequisites: 6 hours of European history before 1815.
HST 548 Russian Thought 3(3-0)
Currents of Russian thought. Emphasis on the nineteenth century.
HST 558 Europe, 1914-1945 3(3-0)
From the origins of the First World War to the end of the Second
World War, emphasizing political, cultural, social and economic
change--with stress on the rise of fascism and the failure of
democracy. Prerequisites: one of: HST 102, HST 106, HST 344.
HST 562 The Atlantic World in the Age of Empire 3(3-0)
Study of the political, social, cultural and economic
interactions of Europe, Africa, and the Americas from the
fifteenth to the nineteenth century. Prerequisite: one of: HST
111, HST 163, HST 176, HST 324, HST 341, HST 377, HST 511.
HST 576 Colonialism in Africa, 1880s-1960s 3(3-0)
Students will explore events that led to the European colonization
of Africa, the process of independence and Africa's predicament
in the post-independence period. Prerequisite: HST 176 or HST 292, or
graduate status.
HST 590 Readings in History 1-6(Spec)
Selected topics studied in special arrangement with an
instructor. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing with a B
average in 12 hours of history, or graduate status; and
permission of the instructor and the department chairperson.
HST 595 Internship in Public History 1-6(Spec)
Students learn to apply historical knowledge through supervised
work in a public history agency or institution. Prerequisites:
permission of academic advisor and work supervisor.
HST 597 Special Studies 1-6(Spec)
Study of a selected historical topic at a level suitable for advanced
undergraduates or graduate students. Prerequisites: 12 hours of HST. Study of a selected historical topic at a level suitable for advanced undergraduates or graduate students. Prerequisites: 12 hours of HST.
Spring 2010 Special Studies topic: Napoleon