All History Courses

Undergraduate Courses

HST 110 Early America Survey (A,V)

Surveys in interactive lecture format the dramatic history of America from Native-European first contact through the Revolution to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students analyze struggles over land, liberty and authority that yielded systems of power, patterns of resistance, and socio-political identities. Develops students' skills in critical reading, analysis, and writing. Closed to students who have completed HST211 or equivalent transfer course. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 113 Introduction to African American History (A,D)

Examines the historical experience and conditions of persons of African descent within the American historical milieu. Crosslisted with AAS113. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 114 African-Amer Hist II 1865 to Present (A,S)

Surveys the history of African Americans from 1865 to the present, covering such themes as emancipation, reconstruction, migration, urbanization, community formation and development, the political and cultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s, affirmative action, the underclass, and the reparations debate. Makes students aware of the historical conditions and development of people of African descent in the United States along with their contributions to American society. Crosslisted with AAS114. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 118 History of American Capitalism (A,V)

Explores the evolution of American capitalism from the purchase of Manhattan to the domination of Wall street. Students analyze the conquest and monetization of indigenous land; the centrality of enslaved labor to the creation of a world economic system; the power struggle between capital and labor in the creation of massive oligopolistic corporations; the "creative destruction of capitalism". Develops skills in critical reading, analysis, and writing. 3 Cr.

HST 120 Modern America Survey (A,V)

Surveys in interactive lecture format the dramatic history of America since the Civil War. Students Analyze diverse communities' struggles over wealth, rights, and authority that shaped systems of power, patterns of resistance, and socio-political identities during a period that saw the nation's emergence as a global power. Develops skills in critical reading, analysis, and writing. Closed to students who have completed HST212 or equivalent transfer course. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 130 Ancient World Survey (A,O)

Ancient World Survey. Surveys in interactive lecture format the pre-1500 foundations of civilizations, the spread of world religions, the rise and decay of ancient societies, and the multiple encounters among them. Students practice global and comparative analysis of these major themes and situate human societies within that framework. Develops students' skills in critical reading, analysis and writing. Closed to students who have completed HST201 or equivalent transfer course. 3 Cr.

HST 131 World Civilizations (A,O)

This course takes an integrative and comparative approach to world civilizations and history from ancient times to the present day. Students will learn about early world civilizations and their religions and governments, while considering how these societies worked with and against their environments to achieve remarkable architectural and navigational feats. Students will address such issues as trade and scarcity before moving forward in time to consider the continued relevance of these ideas and histories today. 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 140 Modern World Survey (A,O)

Surveys in ineractive lecture format post-1500 history including economic competition and exploitation; imperialism, nationalism, and decolonization; cultural encounters and ideologies; resistance to authority and exploitation; and technological change. Students practice comparative analysis while tracing growing global interdependence. Develops students' skills in critical reading, analysis, and writing. Closed to students who have completed HST202 or equivalent transfer course. 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 201 Ancient World Seminar (A,O)

Explores in seminar format the foundations of pre-1500 civilizations, the spread of world religions, the rise and decay of ancient societies, and the multiple encounters among them. Students engage in global and comparative analysis of major themes and situate human societies within that framework. Develops students' skills in critical reading, analysis, discussion of historical texts and debates, and writing. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 202 Modern World Seminar (A,O)

Explores in seminar format post-1500 history including economic competition and exploitation; imperialism, nationalism, and decolonization; cultural encounters and ideologies; resistance to authority and exploitation; and technological change. Students engage in global and comparative analysis of these major themes while tracing the growing interdependence of the world's societies and states. Develops students' skills in critical reading, analysis, discussion of historical texts and debates, and writing. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 211 Seminar in Early America (A,V)

Explores in a seminar format the dramatic history of America from Native-European first contact through the Revolution to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students analyze struggles over land, liberty, and authority that yielded systems of power, patterns of resistance, and socio-political identities. Develops students' skills in critical reading, analysis, discussion of historical texts and debates, and writing. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 212 Seminar in Modern America (A,V)

Explores in seminar format the dramatic history of the United States since the Civil War. Students analyze diverse communities' struggles over wealth, rights, and authority that shaped systems of power, patterns of resistance, and socio-political identities during a period that saw the nation's ermergence as a global power. Develops skills in critical reading, analysis, discussion of historical texts and debates, and writing. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 230 History of Women and Medicine (A,H,W)

Addresses key themes in the history of women in medicine with a transnational focus, both in terms of women as nurses, midwives and doctors, as well as patients. Looks at the medicalization of women’s bodies, reproductive issues, diseases and education. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 234 Puerto Rico & Puerto Ricans: Colony, Nation, Race, Diaspora (A,D,W)

Explores through interactive lecture and discussion Puerto Rico as a Spanish and U.S. colony and homeland/patria for millions, and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Through films, music, and documents students analyze struggles that yielded evolving systems of power, patterns of resistance, and identities, especially in terms of race and gender. Develops skills in critical reading, analysis, discussion of historical texts and debates, and writing. Course requires a minimum grade of C (for General Education/Major/Minor/Certification) Crosslisted with HST234. 3 Cr.

HST 235 The Vikings (A,H)

Explores the origins, nature, and consequences of the "Viking-Age" -- a period between the 8th and 11th centuries C.E. when Scandinavians traveled across the seas as explorers, traders, conquerors, and colonists, setting in motion events that transformed their norther homelands, reshaped the rest of Europe, and touched the wider world. Course requires a minimum grade of "C" for major/minor/certification. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 252 Oral History Interviewing Across Time and Place (A,H)

A COIL course that trains students in the best practices of oral history, including interviewing skills, transcription, use of technology and analysis of interviews. Students will conduct interviews focusing on the college experience: of students of different backgrounds, alumni, family members and students at foreign universities. Students will develop communication skills that are applicable to a wide variety of future professions. **crosslisted with CMC252 *elective 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 301 Topics in American History (A)

Studies selected issues and topics according to student demand and faculty interest. Defined by the instructor in accordance with the specific topic offered that semester. 3 Cr.

HST 302 History of Science and Technology in America (A)

Examines the changing relationships among science, technology and American society as it developed from rural colony into modern, urban and industrial power. Assesses how government and private institutions influenced scientific and technological development and how that development affected the ways Americans worked, consumed, recreated, communicated, traveled and made war. 3 Cr.

HST 303 Topics in World History (A)

Topics vary according to instructor and/or student interest. 3 Cr.

HST 304 Sport in World History (A)

Introduces students to the ways in which a study of sport can help illuminate their understanding of major issues in history. Through the lens of sport they will look at issues such as nationalism, classism, racism and sexism as they have occurred around the world and across time. Reinforces what students have learned earlier in terms of how to read a monograph, how to develop a bibliography, and how to locate and abstract a scholarly article. 3 Cr.

HST 305 The American Frontier (A)

Explores the American frontier (both as a place and process) between 1490 and 1890. Main themes include the frontier as a zone of intercultural contact, the impact of the frontier on the evolution of American society, the transcontinental expansion of the United States, and historians changing interpretations of the frontier experience. 3 Cr.

HST 306 The United States and the World (A)

Understanding America’s immense influence on the world and the effect of “globalization” on the United States is possible only by understanding how its relationship with the world has evolved over the last century. Students will develop an understanding of how intersecting forces (e.g., economics, political, social, ideological, and cultural) shaped, and continue to shape, America’s interaction with the world. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 307 The Computerized Society: History of the Computer in the USA (A,I)

How has the history of the computer shaped our contemporary "digital" era? This course provides a past to our digital present, helping you get your grounding in today's wireless world. Through historical sources, we study how the computer relates to politics, economics, law, race, gender, class, culture, and other factors in recent American history? A particular focus is placed on the hidden history and continued relevance of women in computing. No previous digital or historical training is required, just an eagerness to explore our topic critically and creatively. Course requires a minimum grade of C for major/minor/certification. Crosslisted with CPS307. Course requires a minimum grade of C for major/minor/certification. 3 Cr.

HST 308 American Environmental History (A)

This course examines the changing relationships between people and nature over the course of American history, with a focus on the past century. It treats the “natural environment” as a critical factor in history and considers how human activities depended on and affected their world, traces changing environmental attitudes and policies, and assesses how Americans shaped the national (and global) landscape, thereby influencing the character of the U.S. economy and its human, animal, and plant communities. 3 Cr.

HST 309 The Revolutionary War (A,V)

Examines the United States' war for independence against Great Britain (1775-1783) and its immediate aftermath from a variety of perspectives, including its military, social, and international dimensions. Gives particular attention to the conflict as a civil war that intersected with class, racial, and ethnic antagonisms. Course requires a minimum grade of "C" for major/minor/certification. 3 Cr.

HST 310 American Indian History (A,V)

Provides an overview of the history of North America's native people from the pre-Columbian period to present day. Addresses the diversity and commonalities of Indian culture and experience, the consequences of Indian-European contact, the nature of Indian-European relations and the evolution of Indian identity. 3 Cr.

HST 311 Empire State: The History of New York (A)

Empire State: The History of New York is a broad survey course designed to introduce students to the history of New York State from the pre-contact (the contact between the indigenous peoples of New York and Europeans and African newcomers) to the modern era. Themes include colonial New York, The industrial to the post-industrial eras. Special emphasis is place on New York's role in creating a diverse nation. Students will examine New Yorkers's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's Rights Movement, and the broader "Rights Revolution" that reshaped notions of power, community and nation in post-World War II America. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 313 Slavery in the Antebellum South (A)

Provides a study of some of the dynamics of slavery in the South between 1800 and 1860. Includes firsthand accounts of observers and the political, economic and racial implications of this system. Compares the US plantation slavery to other slave systems in the Americas. Encourages students to borrow from the disciplines of anthropology, sociology, literature, and economics, as well as from political and intellectual history. 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 318 Approaching Religion (A,I,W)

Introduces students to disciplinary methods used by scholars in the humanities and the social sciences to study religion and its cultural artifacts, including literary, philosophical, and historical analysis. The course is structured as a series of case studies, in which different religious texts, traditions, and phenomena are analyzed from discrete and carefully defined methodological perspectives. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 320 Africa: Ancient and Precolonial (A)

Explores the diversity of peoples and cultures in Africa from the earlier period of human history. Provides an overview of Africa's historical foundation and development. 3 Cr.

HST 321 Modern Africa (A,I)

Explores continuities and diversity in the African experience, focusing on the eras of colonization and decolonization (c.1870s-1970s). Students are introduced to major events in modern African history while engaging in discussions regarding central themes in African historiography, including cultural encounters, gender roles, the conflicting demands of tradition and modernity, religion, development, and violence. Cross-listed with AAS 321. 3 Cr.

HST 325 Modern Irish History (A)

This course examines the history of modern Ireland (1603-) by giving the students a broad understanding of all of Irish history. The course also explores Irish culture and in particular uses film, literature, and music to inform students about the everyday lives and worldviews of the Irish. Irish nationalism and the emergence of an independent Ireland will be areas of particular historical focus. 3 Cr.

HST 327 American Military Experience (A,V)

Presents a survey of American military history from the colonial period to present. Major themes include the changing experience of battle, combat motivation, systems of recruitment for the armed forces, the impact of technology on warfare, civil-military relations, the rise of the military as a professional institution, and the evolution of military doctrine. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 328 Women in America (A,V,W)

Focuses on the changing history of American women, including the intersections of gender and sexuality with ethnicity, race, immigration, and class. We analyze cultural images of American women, as well as individual and organized resistance to conventional definitions of womanhood as well as contemporary issues, including employment, reproductive freedom, and anti-racism. 3 Cr.

HST 332 Witchcraft & Witch-hunting in Early Modern Europe, 1450-1750 (A,W)

Students will deepen their understanding of witchcraft and witch-hunting in early modern Europe through discussions of readings, writing assignments, and lectures. The relationship between women, gender and witch-hunting forms a major focus of the class. Other topics include elite and popular views on magic and witchcraft; the links between religion, the rise of the modern state and witch-hunting; and the decline of witch prosecutions. 3 Cr. Even Spring.

HST 334 Ancient Greece (A)

Uses a variety of secondary and primary sources (Herodotus/Thucydides) to understand the history of this first great Western civilization. Concentrating on Greek cultural expressions, such as the Olympic Games, students will learn how those cultural expressions have had resonance into the modern world. 3 Cr.

HST 335 The Roman Empire (A)

Investigates reasons for the fall of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Empire. Explores Rome's imperial administration and cultural achievements, Rome's relations to Persia and the barbarian tribes, and reasons for the decline of the Roman Empire in the West but not the East. 3 Cr.

HST 336 Medieval Europe (A)

Introduces the social, cultural, religious, and intellectual life of medieval Europe from the fourth to the 15th centuries. Focuses on themes such as the ideals of piety, nobility, and chivalry that shaped medieval people's lives and how these changed or stayed the same over time. 3 Cr.

HST 337 Early Modern Europe (A)

Explores European history from the wars of religion, to the rise of absolutism, to the French Revolution (1550-1800). Examines women's roles in society, witchcraft, colonialism, trade, popular culture, models of kingship, the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. Emphasis on reading and discussion. 3 Cr.

HST 339 Latinx History of the United States (A,D,W)

Latinx History of the United States is a course that offers a comprehensive introduction to the diversity of Latinx cultures and history in the United States. Students will explore the intersections of race, class, gender, ethnicity, and citizenship in the lives of Latinx peoples. This course spans over 200 years, evaluating the Latinx experience in various locations and times, from the first Spanish North American colonies to the rise of Latino/a studies departments on college campuses. Elective within major. Crosslisted with AAS WMS 339. 3 Cr.

HST 341 Middle East Crisis: Historical Perspective (A,O)

Explores reasons for the recurrent crises in the Middle East and their global implications, especially for the United States. Concentrates on 20th Century events which have direct consequences on events in the Middle East today. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 343 History of the Soviet Union (A,I,O)

Highlights the multiple legacies of the Russian Empire; examines the Russian Revolution; explores the nature of the Stalinist regime; and seeks to explain the collapse of the Soviet Union. 3 Cr.

HST 346 Renaissance and Reformation (course number was changed from 446/546 in May 2002) (A)

Studies the origin and nature of the Renaissance, its evolution as a distinct cultural epoch, as well as its relationship to the mass religious movement known as the Reformation. Gives attention to the fine arts, literature, politics, economies and the intellectual climate of Europe between 1300 and 1600. 3 Cr.

HST 347 Europe in Revolution, 1815-1914 (A)

Revolution and the Napoleonic era, industrialization, imperialsim, the growth of liberal democracy, the rise of domesticity, capitalism and its critics, Victorian culture, women's suffrage. 3 Cr.

HST 349 Europe in the 20th Century (A)

Surveys Europe during the 20th century. Includes the emergence of racial nationalism, two world wars, decolonization, the rise and fall of communist regimes, and the impact of migration on European societies. 3 Cr.

HST 351 Nazi Germany (A)

Explores the creation and destruction of Hitler's Germany within the context of 20th Century Europe, and the ironies and complexities of this modern human catastrophe. 3 Cr.

HST 354 American Film (A,W)

Focuses on how American history has been presented on film. The course follows a chronological format and looks at important films about the crucial eras and events in US history, such as the Civil War, the West and the Sixties, as well as the history of film-making itself. Stresses the ideological function of films and the contrast between how historians and films present the past. 3 Cr.

HST 357 Modern American Dream: Economics and U.S. Society & Culture (A,I,V)

Examines the critical influence of economics on American society and culture since the late 19th century. Looks at the modernization of agriculture, industry, and labor, the emergence of mass consumption, the economics of foreign policy, and the influence of economics on race, gender, ethnic, and class relations during this period. In short, examines the many factors that influenced how people imagined and strived for the "American Dream" of economic success. 3 Cr.

HST 358 Family and Social Change in American History (A,W,Y)

Focuses on family structures and strategies, challenges to patriarchal families, and changing views of marriage and motherhood. Includes consideration of Native-American, black and immigrant experiences. Explores issues such as the impact of the women's rights movement on families and working mothers, single parenting, and alternative family structures. 3 Cr.

HST 359 History of European Women (A,W,Y)

Examines the history of European women since 1500, including traditional roles in political, economic, cultural and social life. Focuses on the changes over the centuries. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 360 Of Silk and Swords: Great Eurasian Empires (A,O)

Surveys the history of empire building in Eurasia from Antiquity to the birth of the modern world. Topics include the political and cultural characteristics of empires and the role of trade and economy in the birth and growth of empires. A comparative approach to specific empires from Roman times up to the Mongol and Ottoman Empires illustrates historical diversity and commonalities. 3 Cr.

HST 361 History of Japan: From Samurai to Godzilla (A)

Studies Japanese political, economic and cultural history from the early Yamato state to the status as an economic superpower in the late 20th Century. 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 362 The History of World War II (A)

Explores the major theaters and home fronts of World War II Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Views war from several perspectives: military-strategic and tactical, political, economic, ideological and social. Examines reasons for the war, and the nature of total, unlimited and national warfare. 3 Cr.

HST 363 Islam (A,O)

Explores the personality of Mohammed; his message; the evolution of classical Islam; its spread through Asia, Africa and Europe; the socio-economic expression of the Islamic ideal and its egalitarianism; the status of women; and the breakdown of a unified Islamic state. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 365 Beyond Veils and Magic Carpets: Islam's Golden Age (A,O)

This course samples the highlights of classical Islamic civilization, between 700 and 1300. Primary sources in translation and major secondary works provide a thorough overview of Islamic culture, including examples of architecture, decorative arts, cityscapes, courtly and daily life, and scholarly and literary achievements. 3 Cr.

HST 366 Modern Imperial Britain (A,I,O)

Explores British national and imperial history from 1815 to the present. Students consider major events in modern British history while engaging in discussions regarding systems of dominance, modes of resistance, the concept of a liberal empire, nation building, changing notions of class, gender, race, and citizenship, and the role of Britain in the world today. 3 Cr.

HST 367 Gender in the Islamic World (A,O,W)

We explore the dynamic tension between beliefs about the nature and proper behavior of men and women, and actual practices in a variety of Islamic societies, both historically and in the contemporary world. Specific case studies and theoretical works by both Middle Eastern and Western authors highlight the challenges of studying the economic and social implications of gender in Islamic societies. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 368 Women in the Mediterranean World (A,O,W)

Examines continuities and changes in the roles and status of women living in Mediterranean societies from prehistoric times to the present. Students become familiar with conceptual problems in the historical study of women in this region through examining recurring social-cultural themes that inform their daily lives, such as class, economic roles, religious ideals and images, gender segregation and concepts of honor. 3 Cr.

HST 370 Career Development and History (B)

Prepares students for career success by identifying usable knowledge and skills associated with their program of study, examining their personal strengths and interests, and completing a series of workshops and assignments designed to develop professional skills and explore career trajectories relevant to their academic major. 1-3 Cr. Fall.

HST 371 Internship (B)

Offers sophomores, juniors and seniors an opportunity for career exploration and skill development in history. 1-3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 372 Brockport Career Exploration Course: History II (B)

See description of HST 371. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 375 Born in Blood & Fire: Latin America Age of Conquest & Empire (A,W)

Analyzes the dynamics of Spanish and Portuguese conquest in the “New World,” from the 1490s, including gender dynamics; indigenous and enslaved African peoples’ active shaping of colonial rule, including racial concepts and practices; and the Catholic church’s regulation of gender relations. Examines regional diversity and the sudden collapse of the colonial system in the independence wars of 1810s. 3 Cr.

HST 376 Modern Latin America (A)

Analyzes 19th- and 20th Century Latin America's history of struggle against colonial legacies, as well as new forms of economic and military oppression associated with dependent capitalist development. Asks students to consider the meanings of national independence in a region sharply divided by race and class, where peasants, workers and women have fought for political rights, sometimes winning revolutions, and where foreign influences limit state autonomy. 3 Cr.

HST 380 Digital History: Digital Methods for Historical Projects (A)

Students learn how to use new digital technology to study and share knowledge about the past. No prior digital skills required for this course, just an eagerness to experiment and learn. Through a hands-on collective project focused on SUNY Brockport's own history, we investigate the ethical use of digital tools, database development, content management, digital publishing, multimedia storytelling, project management, digital sustainability, digital mapping, timelines, annotation, and basic audio and video production. In the fall of 2021, our project will focus on creating a prototype of a mobile application walking tour of art and history on the SUNY Brockport campus. Students will conduct research, complete oral history interviews, create and assemble digital assets, write text, and work individually and collectively on the research and development of our project. Requires a minimum grade of C for general education/major/minor/certification. Cross-listed with JRB380. 3 Cr.

HST 381 Fannie Barrier Williams Project (A,D,W)

The Fannie Barrier Williams Project is an ongoing digital public history inquiry into the life, times, and lasting historical significance of Fannie Barrier Williams (1855-1944), Brockport resident, first Black woman to graduate from the Brockport State Normal School (predecessor to SUNY Brockport), antiracist and women's rights activist, educator, writer, thinker, musician, visual artist. This is a project-based, experiential learning course. With guidance and support, each student produces a research project for a curated website, public symposium, and poster session. No advanced computer skills are required. While the course is grounded in historical inquiry, creative and Interdisciplinary approaches are very much welcome. Swing courses AAS & WMS 381 3 Cr.

HST 385 Asian Civilization I, Antiquity to 1600 AD (A)

Surveys the historical development of South and East Asian civilizations with emphasis on cultures of China, India, and Japan. Topics to be explored include the origins of East and South Asian civilizations, and their influence on neighboring areas, the origins of major thought systems in the Asian civilizations, and the development of national unity before 1600 A.D. 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 386 Opium to Hiroshima (A,O)

This course surveys the historical development of Asian civilizations with emphasis on China, India, and Japan with some reference to Korea and Vietnam. Topics to be explored include 1) the decline of pre-European South and East Asian empires; 2) the emergence of nation-states in Asia during the 19th and 20th centuries; and 3) the involvement of the United States in the transformation. 3 Cr.

HST 390 Research Methods (A,Y)

Engages students in the creation of historical knowledge as they research, draft and polish a major research paper. Topics vary by instructor but in all sections students craft their own sub-topics, learn to use databases and research tools, and develop oral presentation skills. Required for History majors. Open to History minors and others by advisement. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 399 Independent Study in History (A)

Arranged in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and in accordance with the procedures of Office of Academic Advisement prior to registration. 1-6 Cr. By Arrangement.

HST 401 Topics in American History (A)

Studies selected issues and topics according to student demand and faculty interest. Defined by the instructor in accordance with the specific topic offered that semester. 3 Cr.

HST 402 Topics in American History -Research Intensive (A)

Studies selected issues and topics according to student demand and faculty interest. Defined by the instructor in accordance with the specific topic offered that semester. Course requires the completion of a substantial research paper. 3 Cr.

HST 404 Topics in World History (A)

Studies selected issues and topics according to student demand and faculty interest. Defined by the instructor in accordance with the specific topic offered that semester. 3 Cr.

HST 405 Topics in World History -Research Intensive (A)

Studies selected issues and topics according to student demand and faculty interest. Defined by the instructor in accordance with the specific topic offered that semester. Course requires the completion of a substantial research paper. 3 Cr.

HST 407 American Environmental History (A)

Examines the changing relationship between people and the natural environment over the course of American history. Focuses on how agriculture, resource extraction, nature conservation, industrial production and urbanization and suburbanization created opportunities for and limitations on American economic and social activity. 3 Cr.

HST 409 American Mind—What Were They Thinking? US Intellectual Hist (A)

How have Americans thought about themselves and their world? Is there such a thing as the American Mind? How have Americans contested who is part of it? We explore a diversity of past voices that remain relevant today. Students read, write, discuss, and have the opportunity to work on the Society for US Intellectual History (SUSIH) Review, acquiring digital editing, research, and project management skills. (swing course HST509) 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 412 Public History (A)

This introduction to “public history” examines how historians preserve historical memory and convey the ‘mystic chords of memory’ to the public. After considering the challenges of popularizing specialized knowledge, students examine the work and techniques of archives, popular historical writing, historical societies, museums, and oral history. The course culminates with a ‘hands-on’ project in one of those areas. 3 Cr.

HST 413 The Rochester Reform Trail (A)

Examines the role of Rochester in the history of the American Reform Movement. Topics include women’s rights, abolition, temperance, sabbatarianism, religious revivals and political economy. Also analyzes how time and place affected the development of reform. Finally, the course examines how these historical narratives are constructed and reconstructed in physical and virtual museum spaces like the Susan B. Anthony House, the National Women’s Hall of Fame, various Erie Canal museums, the proposed “Rochester Heritage Trail” and others. 3 Cr.

HST 414 The Salem Witch Crisis (A)

Explores the various ways historians have sought to understand the most infamous witch-hunt in American history. Focuses on scholarship that explores the Salem Crisis so students can trace an unfolding historiography and compare various approaches to understanding this event. Demonstrates the contingent/contested nature of historical knowledge and investigates the process of historical inquiry. 3 Cr. Summer.

HST 415 Natives and Newcomers (A)

Explores the context and consequences of Indian-European contact in North America (c. 1500-1840). Topics include the nature of pre-contact Native societies; the encounter of Indian and European cosmologies, economies, and methods of warfare; and the relationship between Indian-European contact and developing constructs of race, gender, and identity. 3 Cr.

HST 416 The Invasion of America, 1492 - 1774 (A)

Examines the history of North America from the advent of European expansion to the collapse of Europe’s North American empires (c. 1400 – 1800). Focuses on cultural encounters and exchange between Indian, European and African peoples; European methods of colonization; the struggle for imperial domination in North America; and the evolution of colonial societies with particular emphasis on Britain’s North American colonies. 3 Cr.

HST 417 The American Revolution (A)

Explores the era of American Revolution -- the period from the colonies' anti-imperial protests of the 1760s and 1770s, through the United States' war for independence against Great Britain between 1776 and 1783, to the tumultous two-decade period of nation building that followed -- and the profound social, political, and cultural transformations it set in motion. 3 Cr.

HST 418 Early Republic: America 1789-1848 (A)

Students will examine the American nation from its founding to circa 1848. Topics include political change from Federalism to the Age of Jackson; the changes to finance, transportation and communications collectively known as the Market Revolution; the dominance and international significance of cotton agriculture and enslaved labor; the first Industrial Revolution and the fundamental social changes it engendered; the radical challenges to race and gender based systems of power. Students will complete a significant research paper based on one of the topics discussed in the course. 3 Cr.

HST 419 Civil War and Reconstruction (A)

Provides an intensive study of the Civil War era (1848-1877). Surveys the breakdown of the American institutions that led to the Civil War, followed by an examination of the War itself and its controversial aftermath in the Reconstruction era. 3 Cr.

HST 420 America from Its Centennial to Pearl Harbor (A)

Examines the period of dramatic change unleashed by America’s precipitous transformation from rural, agrarian, Protestant society into an urban-industrial giant reshaped by immigration. Explores the impact of these forces on the American economy, family life, religion, politics, education and international role. Ends on the eve of American entry in WWII after analyzing the impact of the Great Depression on the resulting New Deal. 3 Cr.

HST 421 America Since 1929 (A)

Uses the Depression as a watershed and then examines American society to the present. Features political change from Roosevelt to Reagan, foreign policy from Pearl Harbor to the present, and the evolution of popular culture since the 1920s. Also gives attention to economic and social developments, including the rise of the civil rights movement and the women’s and gay liberation movements. 3 Cr.

HST 426 American Cultural History 1865-Present (A)

Examines the emergence of modern American culture between the late 19th and early 21st centuries. Focuses on how nationalism and war, race and gender, industrial production and consumption, science and technology and mass education and entertainment affected the way Americans identified themselves and made sense of their world. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 427 The Material Culture of Early America (A)

Investigates material culture and lived experience in the United States through the 18th and 19th centuries. Defining material culture to include various aspects of Early Americans’ everyday lives, the course includes discussion and analysis of various topics: clothing production and consumption; the cultural construction of hygiene; the meaning and utility of lived spaces; interior furnishings and their relationship to users; amenities such as the lighting and heating of homes; cultural expressions such as art, music and print culture; the shaping and reshaping of urban and rural land, time and soundscapes; the theoretical frameworks through which historians interpret these cultural productions. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 428 The 1960s in the US and the World (A)

What happened between 1960 and 1970 in the Uniited States and the world and why did "The Sixties" become a highly fraught symbol (of social change, disruption, revolution, and reaction)? In this upper-level course, we investigate primary sources as well as debates among historians about politics, economics, culture, and more. 3 Cr.

HST 430 World History on Film (A,I)

Investigates the oft-complex topic of historical memory by looking at how filmmakers have shaped historical moments as part of their own lived history as well as for national and international audiences. Stresses the ideological function of films and the contrast between how historians and film makers present the past. Tackles still controversial topics like gender, sexuality, fascism, imperialism, cold war, and Islamic fundamentalism, all topics which play important role in national origins stories. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 434 Modern Caribbean History (A)

As an advanced course, covers the French, Spanish, and British Caribbeans since the Haitian Revolution of the 1790s. Investigates how slavery and abolition, colonialism and nationalism, social and cultural movements, racism and dependency have forged this fascinating and paradoxical region. Considers questions of identity, especially for Afro-Caribbean women and men, in comparative framework. 3 Cr.

HST 436 Medieval England and Ireland (A)

This course examines the histories of medieval England and Ireland from the ancient Celts to the early 1500’s, with particular emphasis on the cultural foundations of each island’s early settlements and the comparative development of each under the rule of foreign invaders following the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and the English invasion of Ireland in 1167. We will focus on the cultural and social history of the peoples and institutions of early Britain and place them in the wider context of the European Middle Ages. Course requires a minimum grade of "C" (for General Education/Major/Minor/Certification) NYSED requires a minimum course grade of “B” (graduate sections) for certification. Swing course HST536. 3 Cr.

HST 438 Women and Gender in Latin American History (A)

As an advanced course, examines the diversity of Latin-American and Caribbean women's experiences from the Iberian conquest to the 20th -century. Analyzes the gender dynamics of colonial, national, dictatorial and revolutionary states, economies and cultures, and the importance of women's movements and feminism. Includes discussion of Latina history in the US and of Latin-American and Caribbean masculinity in historical perspective. 3 Cr.

HST 441 World War I (A)

Explores the Great War focusing on its causes, diplomacy, technology and medicine, social and cultural movements, women’s roles on the home front and war work, soldiers’ experience, as well as peace process and memory of the war. Students will produce a primary source research paper on their own as well as write shorter papers on the in-class reading. 3 Cr.

HST 442 War & Terrorism (A)

Seminar discussing the meanings of and reasons for war and terror, and the linkages between them. 3 Cr.

HST 444 Sexuality, Gender, and Identity in Medieval Europe (A,W)

500-1500, particularly as women experienced them. Examines the perceptions medieval society fostered about gender; analyzes factors such as social class, work and professional status, legal structures, and sexuality and compares/contrasts their effect on women's and men's lives. 3 Cr.

HST 445 The High Middle Ages (A)

A Study of the European experience from the First Crusade to the Black Plague, the general crises of the mid-14th Century, and the new institutions of a rapidly expanding European culture. 3 Cr.

HST 447 Revolutions and Revolutionaries in the Modern World (A)

Investigates the critical role revolutions and revolutionaries have played in shaping the modern world from the late 18th through the 20th century. Using a comparative framework, it interrogates definitions and theories of revolution, explores who historically is attracted to revolutions, examines the historical processes which have converged to realize revolutions, and questions the types of societies, cultures and leaders revolutions have produced. 3 Cr. 3 Cr.

HST 448 The French Revolution (A)

Considers the Revolution's origins in the Old Regime and the Enlightenment before examining its political and cultural development as well as its immediate aftermath in the Napoleonic era and its influence on Europe in the 19th Century. 3 Cr.

HST 452 Religion in American Civilization (A)

Historical analysis of the role of religious ideas and movements as they have influenced and shaped the American experience and in turn been influenced by unique features of American life. 3 Cr. 3 Cr.

HST 455 The Black Death (A)

The Black Death or "Plague" changed society, medicine, global trade, religion, and intellectual life from its outbreak in 1348 to 1700. As one microbe changed European society, it left in its wake a pessimistic fascination with death, but also a resolve to survive and discover causes and remedies for the plague, contributing to the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, and Europe's transition to the modern. 3 Cr.

HST 457 Dark Continent to Wakanda: the Image of Africa (A,D,I)

Students will analyze Western images of African nature, ranging from the idea of Africa as a Dark Continent to the images of Africa in recent films. We will consider how colonial travel, exploration, hunting, and movies constructed ideas about Africa and how those 'old' ideas continue to shape and create major controversies over conservation, tourism, hunting, and movie representations to this day. 3 Cr.

HST 458 Overseas Empires, 1800-Present (A)

Offers a comparative look at the rise and fall of the major overseas empires of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, especially the British, French, and Japanese Empires. The course is organized thematically and considers issues of gender, race, culture, lived experience, colonial resistance, nationalism, and decolonization. It also addresses the lingering impacts of overseas imperialism in our world of today and public awareness of these histories. 3 Cr.

HST 462 US - Asian Relations (A)

The topic of this course is war and peace that involved Asia and the United States since the turn of the twentieth century. By focusing on the human, cross-cultural dimensions of various conflicts in the domestic and international scenes, this course will encourage students to develop an understanding of the experience of war and peace through reading, thinking, discussing, and writing. (Research Intensive) 3 Cr.

HST 466 Stalinism: The Soviet Union Under Stalin (A)

Explores the origins, manifestations, and legacies of the "Stalinism" in the Soviet Union. Using a combination of primary and secondary sources, it interrogates the appropriateness of using the term "totalitarianism" in describing the Stalinist system, examines the impact of Stalinsim on "ordinary" Soviet citizens with a special emphasis on women and non-Russian nationalities, and questions the significance of Stalin's Revolutions and the Great Patriotic War in shaping the U.S.S.R. until its collapse in 1991. 3 Cr.

HST 467 Modern South Asia (A)

Surveys the background of South-Asian nations under European colonialism and the movement to independence. Also examines the post-independence problems of the area and the contemporary impact of these nations on the world. 3 Cr.

HST 468 Cold War in the Soviet Union: Myths, Realities, and Legacies ()

Challenges Western stereotypes to illuminate the complexities of the history of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Primary sources and secondary scholarship allow students to gain a deeper understanding of everyday life in the USSR from the perspective of women, workers, intellectuals, and non-Russian nationalities. Special attention will be given to the Stalinization of Eastern Europe the de-Stalinization efforts of Khrushchev, the space race, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the battle for influence over the emerging Third World , and the emergence of a dissident movement. Will also explore the collapse of the USSR and arguments regarding a new Cold War with Putin's Russia. 3 Cr.

HST 471 Islamic Spain: Histories and Legacies (A)

This "reading-intensive" course introduces you to the political and cultural history of al-Andalus through studying some of the major secondary works on this remarkable era, as well as by exploring the rich heritage of literature and material culture that has survived and continues to influence both the Arab-Islamic and European civilizations in many ways. 3 Cr.

HST 472 The War on Terror (A)

This course introduces students to the roots and consequences of the so-called War on Terror, with special reference to its impact on politics, economy and society, in the US and other countries. Requires a substantial term paper; satisfies the Research-Intensive requirement for the major. 3 Cr.

HST 478 Gender and Race in Modern America (A)

This reading seminar will focus on ideas about, and the lived experiences of, gender and race from Reconstruction (1865) to the present. This course explores the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality and examines a multiplicity of themes affecting differing women's lives. Discussions will include a focus on the historical social construction of gender, the impact of race, sexuality, reproduction, work, education, media, material condition (class), and women's agency. 3 Cr.

HST 485 Public History Internship (A)

Combines a ‘hands-on’ public history internship experience with classroom seminars for discussing readings and sharing experiences. Students will intern in local or regional archives, historical societies, historians’ offices, and museums. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 487 Wars in Asia Since 1750 (A)

Swing course is HST 587. Students will examine how and why various kinds of war have taken shape in Asia since the 1750s-and their impacts on the region and the rest of the world. We will read, write, discuss, and explore rich, contested histories of key inter- and intra-national wars by paying attention to diplomacy, migration, science and technology, ethnicity, and ideology. 3 Cr.

HST 488 Medieval England and Ireland (A)

This course examines the histories of medieval England and Ireland from the ancient Celts to the early 1500’s, with particular emphasis on the cultural foundations of each island’s early settlements and the comparative development of each under the rule of foreign invaders following the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and the English invasion of Ireland in 1167. We will focus on the cultural and social history of the peoples and institutions of early Britain and place them in the wider context of the European Middle Ages. Swing Course HST588. Course requires a minimum grade of "C" (for Major/Minor/Certification) NYSED requires a minimum course grade of “C” (undergraduate sections) for certification. 3 Cr.

HST 491 Senior Seminar (A)

Advanced research seminar for senior History majors. Topics vary by instructor. May be offered in conjunction with the Honors program. 3 Cr.

HST 499 Independent Study in History (A)

Arranged in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and in accordance with procedures of the Office of Academic Advisement prior to registration. 1-6 Cr. Every Semester.

Graduate Courses

HST 501 American History: Topics (A)

Provides an overview of selected topics in American history for teachers and nonspecialists interested in acquiring, updating or refreshing basic understanding. Topics vary yearly. May be repeated for credit. 3 Cr. Summer.

HST 502 Topics in American History -Research Intensive (A)

Studies selected issues and topics according to student demand and faculty interest. Defined by the instructor in accordance with the specific topic offered that semester. Course requires the completion of a substantial research paper. 3 Cr.

HST 503 Graduate Internship (A)

Entails field experience in an archive, museum, historical society or other institution that can provide a professionally valuable period of training closely related to the student's academic program. Arranged through the Graduate Committee. 1-3 Cr.

HST 504 Topics in World History (A)

Considers the development of world history during the 20th century and introduces the study of several of its separate civilizations, such as India, China, Islam, Europe, Africa and America and topics such as gender, ecology, demography and war. 3 Cr.

HST 505 Topics in World History -Research Intensive (A)

Studies selected issues and topics according to student demand and faculty interest. Defined by the instructor in accordance with the specific topic offered that semester. Course requires the completion of a substantial research paper. 3 Cr.

HST 507 American Environmental History (A)

Examines the changing relationship between people and the natural environment over the course of American history. Focuses on how agriculture, resource extraction, nature conservation, industrial production, and urbanization and suburbanization created opportunities for an limitations on American economic and social activity. 3 Cr.

HST 509 American Mind—What Were They Thinking? US Intellectual Hist (A)

How have Americans thought about themselves and their world? Is there such a thing as the American Mind? How have Americans contested who is part of it? We explore a diversity of past voices that remain relevant today. Students read, write, discuss, and have the opportunity to work on the Society for US Intellectual History (SUSIH) Review, acquiring digital editing, research, and project management skills. Graduate students will develop a longer final essay and participate in the editorial work of the Society for US Intellectual History Review, acquiring professional skills in digital editing and project management related to historical scholarship. (swing course HST409) 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 511 New York: The History of the Empire State (A)

This is a graduate reading seminar focusing on the history of New York State from the pre-contact (the contact between the indigenous peoples of New York and Europeans and African newcomers) to the modern era. Themes include colonial New York, the industrial to the post-industrial eras, New York's role in creating a diverse nation, and the reform tradition in New York State.. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 512 Public History (A)

This introduction to “public history” examines how historians preserve historical memory and convey the ‘mystic chords of memory’ to the public. After considering the challenges of popularizing specialized knowledge, students examine the work and techniques of archives, popular historical writing, historical societies, museums, and oral history. The course culminates with a ‘hands-on’ project in one of those areas. 3 Cr.

HST 513 The Rochester Reform Trail (A)

Examines the role of Rochester in the history of the American Reform Movement. Topics include women’s rights, abolition, temperance, sabbatarianism, religious revivals and political economy. Also analyzes how time and place affected the development of reform. Finally, the course examines how these historical narratives are constructed and reconstructed in physical and virtual museum spaces like the Susan B. Anthony House, the National Women’s Hall of Fame, various Erie Canal museums, the proposed “Rochester Heritage Trail” and others. 3 Cr.

HST 514 The Salem Witch Crisis (A)

Explores the various ways historians have sought to understand the most infamous witch-hunt in American history. Focuses on scholarship that explores the Salem Crisis so students can trace an unfolding historiography and compare various approaches to understanding this event. Demonstrates the contingent/contested nature of historical knowledge and investigates the process of historical inquiry. 3 Cr. Summer.

HST 515 Natives and Newcomers (A)

Explores the context and consequences of Indian-European contact in North America (c. 1500-1840). Topics include the nature of pre-contact Native societies; the encounter of Indian and European cosmologies, economies, and methods of warfare; and the relationship between Indian-European contact and developing constructs of race, gender, and identity. 3 Cr.

HST 516 The Invasion of America, 1492 - 1774 (A)

Examines the history of North America from the advent of European expansion to the collapse of Europe’s North American empires (c. 1400 – 1800). Focuses on cultural encounters and exchange between Indian, European and African peoples; European methods of colonization; the struggle for imperial domination in North America; and the evolution of colonial societies with particular emphasis on Britain’s North American colonies. 3 Cr.

HST 517 The American Revolution (A)

Explores the era of American Revolution -- the period from the colonies' anti-imperial protests of the 1760s and 1770s, through the United States' war for independence against Great Britain between 1776 and 1783, to the tumultous two-decade period of nation building that followed -- and the profound social, political, and cultural transformations it set in motion. 3 Cr.

HST 518 The Early Republic (A)

Examines in depth the young American nation from 1800 to 1848, the ages of Jefferson and Jackson. Focuses on the market revolution and the transforming social and political changes that followed in its wake and prepared the way for Civil War. 3 Cr.

HST 519 Civil War and Reconstruction (A)

Provides an intensive study of the Civil War era (1848-1877). Surveys the breakdown of the American institutions that led to the Civil War, followed by an examination of the war itself and its controversial aftermath in the Reconstruction era. 3 Cr.

HST 520 America from Its Centennial to Pearl Harbor (A)

Examines the period of dramatic change unleashed by America’s precipitous transformation from rural, agrarian, Protestant society into an urban-industrial giant reshaped by immigration. Explores the impact of these forces on the American economy, family life, religion, politics, education and international role. Ends on the eve of American entry in WWII after analyzing the impact of the Great Depression on the resulting New Deal. 3 Cr.

HST 521 America Since 1929 (A)

Uses the Depression as a watershed and then examines American society to the present. Features political change from Roosevelt to Reagan, foreign policy from Pearl Harbor to the present, and the evolution of popular culture since the 1920s. Also gives attention to economic and social developments, including the rise of the civil rights movement and the women’s and gay liberation movements. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 526 American Cultural History 1865-Present (A)

Examines the emergence of modern American culture between the late 19th and early 21st centuries. Focuses on how nationalism and war, race and gender, industrial production and consumption, science and technology, and mass education and entertainment affected the way Americans identified themselves and made sense of their world. 3 Cr.

HST 527 The Material Culture of Early America (A)

Investigates material culture and lived experience in the United States through the 18th and 19th centuries. Defining material culture to include various aspects of Early Americans’ everyday lives, the course includes discussion and analysis of various topics: clothing production and consumption; the cultural construction of hygiene; the meaning and utility of lived spaces; interior furnishings and their relationship to users; amenities such as the lighting and heating of homes; cultural expressions such as art, music and print culture; the shaping and reshaping of urban and rural land, time and soundscapes; the theoretical frameworks through which historians interpret these cultural productions. 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 528 The 1960s in the US and the World (A)

What happened between 1960 and 1970 in the Uniited States and the world and why did "The Sixties" become a highly fraught symbol (of social change, disruption, revolution, and reaction)? In this upper-level course, we investigate primary sources as well as debates among historians about politics, economics, culture, and more. *HST528 requires a longer historiographic or research project developed in consultation with the instructor. 3 Cr.

HST 530 World History on Film (A,I)

Investigates the oft-complex topic of historical memory by looking at how filmmakers have shaped historical moments as part of their own lived history as well as for national and international audiences. Stresses the ideological function of films and the contrast between how historians and film makers present the past. Tackles still controversial topics like gender, sexuality, fascism, imperialism, cold war, and Islamic fundamentalism, all topics which play important role in national origins stories. Graduate students will watch 1 more full movie a week and do 1 more reaing a week, their papers will be more analytical and longer than the undergraduates. Graduate students will watch 1 more full movie a week and do 1 more reading a week, their papers will be more analytical and longer than the undergraduates. *elective 3 Cr. Spring.

HST 534 Modern Caribbean History: Puerto Rico/Cuba Since 1898 (A)

As an advanced course, covers the French, Spanish and British Caribbean since the Haitian Revolution of the 1790s. Investigates how slavery and abolition, colonialism and nationalism, social and cultural movements, racism and dependency have forged this fascinating and paradoxical region. Considers questions of identity, especially for Afro-Caribbean women and men, in comparative framework. 3 Cr.

HST 536 Medieval England and Ireland (A)

This course examines the histories of medieval England and Ireland from the ancient Celts to the early 1500’s, with particular emphasis on the cultural foundations of each island’s early settlements and the comparative development of each under the rule of foreign invaders following the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and the English invasion of Ireland in 1167. We will focus on the cultural and social history of the peoples and institutions of early Britain and place them in the wider context of the European Middle Ages. Course requires a minimum grade of "C" (for General Education/Major/Minor/Certification) NYSED requires a minimum course grade of “B” (graduate sections) for certification. Swing course HST536. 3 Cr.

HST 538 Women and Gender in Latin American History (A)

Examines at an advanced level the diversity of Latin-American and Caribbean women's experiences from Iberian conquest to the 20th century. Analyzes the gender dynamics of colonial, national, dictatorial, and revolutionary states, economies, and cultures, as well as the importance of women's movements and feminism. Discusses Latina history in the US and Latin-American and Caribbean masculinity in historical perspective. 3 Cr.

HST 541 World War I (A)

Explores the Great War focusing on its causes, diplomacy, technology and medicine, social and cultural movements, women’s roles on the home front and war work, soldiers’ experience, as well as peace process and memory of the war. Students will produce a primary source research paper on their own as well as write shorter papers on the in-class reading. 3 Cr.

HST 542 War & Terrorism (A)

Seminar discussing the meanings of and reasons for war and terror, and the linkages between them. 3 Cr.

HST 544 Sexuality, Gender, and Identity in Medieval Europe (A,W)

Studies European Middle Ages, ca. 500-1500, particularly as women experienced them. Examines the perceptions medieval society fostered about gender; analyzes factors such as social class, work and professional status, legal structures, and sexuality and compares/contrasts their effect on women's and men's lives. 3 Cr.

HST 545 The High Middle Ages (A)

A study of the European experience from the First Crusade to the Black Plague, the general crises of the mid-14th century and the new institutions of a rapidly expanding European culture. 3 Cr.

HST 547 Revolutions and Revolutionaries in the Modern World (A)

Investigates the critical role revolutions and revolutionaries have played in shaping the modern world from the late 18th through the 20th century. Using a comparative framework, it interrogates definitions and theories of revolution, explores who historically is attracted to revolutions, examines the historical processes which have converged to realize revolutions, and questions the types of societies, cultures and leaders revolutions have produced. 3 Cr.

HST 548 The French Revolution (A)

Considers the revolution's origins in the Old Regime and the Enlightenment before examining its political and cultural development as well as its immediate aftermath in the Napoleonic era and its influence on Europe in the 19th century. 3 Cr.

HST 552 Religion in American Civilization (A)

Historical analysis of the role of religious ideas and movements as they have influenced and shaped the American experience and in turn been influenced by unique features of American life. 3 Cr.

HST 555 The Black Death (A)

The Black Death or "Plague" changed society, medicine, global trade, religion, and intellectual life from its outbreak in 1348 to 1700. As one microbe changed European society, it left in its wake a pessimistic fascination with death, but also a resolve to survive and discover causes and remedies for the plague, contributing to the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, and Europe's transition to the modern. 3 Cr.

HST 557 Dark Continent to Wakanda: the Image of Africa (A,I)

Students will analyze Western images of African nature, ranging from the idea of Africa as a Dark Continent to the images of Africa in recent films. We will consider how colonial travel, exploration, hunting, and movies constructed ideas about Africa and how those 'old' ideas continue to shape and create major controversies over conservation, tourism, hunting, and movie representations to this day. Graduate students will be responsible for leading discussion twice and will be required to read several additional readings over the course of the semester. Graduate discussion and written work will also be assessed at a higher academic level, and their mid-term and final papers are expected to be longer than that of undergraduates and draw on more sources. 3 Cr.

HST 558 Overseas Empires, 1800-Present (A)

Offers a comparative look at the rise and fall of the major overseas empires of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, especially the British, French, and Japanese Empires. The course is organized thematically and considers issues of gender, race, culture, lived experience, colonial resistance, nationalism, and decolonization. It also addresses the lingering impacts of overseas imperialism in our world of today and public awareness of these histories. 3 Cr.

HST 560 Modern Africa (A)

Surveys major patterns of pre-colonial Africa; examines the colonial experience and African struggles for independence; and explores the problem of "development" in post-colonial African states. 3 Cr.

HST 562 US - Asian Relations (A)

The topic of this course is war and peace that involved Asia and the United States since the turn of the twentieth century. By focusing on the human, cross-cultural dimensions of various conflicts in the domestic and international scenes, this course will encourage students to develop an understanding of the experience of war and peace through reading, thinking, discussing, and writing. (Research Intensive) 3 Cr.

HST 566 Stalinsim: The Soviet Union Under Stalin (A)

Explores the origins, manifestations, and legacies of the "Stalinism" in the Soviet Union. Using a combination of primary and secondary sources, it interrogates the appropriateness of using the term "totalitarianism" in describing the Stalinist system, examines the impact of Stalinsim on "ordinary" Soviet citizens with a special emphasis on women and non-Russian nationalities, and questions the significance of Stalin's Revolutions and the Great Patriotic War in shaping the U.S.S.R. until its collapse in 1991. Graduate students will be required to facilitate at least two class discussions, compose slightly longer, more sophisticated critical review essays and final synthesis essays, and overall will be held to a higher standard in terms of analytical permformance in class discussions and written assignments. 3 Cr.

HST 567 Modern South Asia (A)

Surveys the background of South Asian nations under European colonialism and the movement to independence. Also examines the post-independence problems of the area and the contemporary impact of these nations on the world. 3 Cr.

HST 568 Cold War in the Soviet Union: Myths, Realities, and Legacies ()

Challenges Western stereotypes to illuminate the complexities of the history of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Primary sources and secondary scholarship allow students to gain a deeper understanding of everyday life in the USSR from the perspective of women, workers, intellectuals, and non-Russian nationalities. Special attention will be given to the Stalinization of Eastern Europe the de-Stalinization efforts of Khrushchev, the space race, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the battle for influence over the emerging Third World. and the emergence of a dissident movement. Will also explore the collapse of the USSR and arguments regarding a new Cold War with Putin's Russia. 3 Cr.

HST 570 Consumerism in Europe and the World, 1600-Present (A)

Introduces students to a gendered interpretation of history of consumerism in a global context through the lens of literature, sociology, psychology and economics. Students will read novels, primary sources and articles pertaining to the history of shopping, advertising, fashion, globalization of trade and goods, and effects on workers. 3 Cr.

HST 571 Islamic Spain: Histories and Legacies (A)

This "reading-intensive" course introduces you to the political and cultural history of al-Andalus through studying some of the major secondary works on this remarkable era, as well as by exploring the rich heritage of literature and material culture that has survived and continues to influence both the Arab-Islamic and European civilizations in many ways. 3 Cr.

HST 572 The War on Terror (A)

This course introduces students to the roots and consequences of the so-called War on Terror, with special reference to its impact on politics, economy and society, in the US and other countries. Requires a substantial term paper; satisfies the Research-Intensive requirement for the major. 3 Cr.

HST 573 The Middle East, Then and Now (A)

Surveys the history behind current circumstances in the Middle East in a reading-oriented online format. Topics include Orientalism, the formation of Islam, the Ottoman Empire, women in the Middle East, and the problem of Palestine. 3 Cr.

HST 578 Gender and Race in Modern America (A)

This course is equivalent to AAS or WMS 578. This reading seminar will focus on ideas about, and the lived experiences of, gender and race from Reconstruction (1865) to the present. This course explores the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality and examines a multiplicity of themes affecting differing women's lives. Discussions will include a focus on the historical social construction of gender, the impact of race, sexuality, reproduction, work, education, media, material condition (class), and women's agency. Graduate students are expected to do extra reading and lead at least one discussion as well as write longer papers. 3 Cr.

HST 580 US Popular Music History (A)

Listen to the American past in order to learn about it. By tracing the emergence of popular music in America as cultural history, students learn about the larger stakes of politics, economics, and social life (race, class, gender, market, region, nation, world) in the development of the modern United States as they improve skills in analyzing non-written historical artifacts. No formal musical training is required. Readings, listenings, online lectures, analytic writing, and online discussion. (Requires a minimum grade of C for General Education/ major/minor/certification) 3 Cr.

HST 585 Public History Intern (A)

Combines a ‘hands-on’ public history internship experience with classroom seminars for discussing readings and sharing experiences. Students will intern in local or regional archives, historical societies, historians’ offices, and museums. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 587 Wars in Asia Since 1750 (A)

The swing course for this is HST487. Students will examine how and why various kinds of war have taken shape in Asia since the 1750s-and their impacts on the region and the rest of the world. We will read, write, discuss, and explore rich, contested histories of key inter- and intra-national wars by paying attention to diplomacy, migration, science and technology, ethnicity, and ideology. 3 Cr.

HST 588 Medieval England and Ireland (A)

This course examines the histories of medieval England and Ireland from the ancient Celts to the early 1500’s, with particular emphasis on the cultural foundations of each island’s early settlements and the comparative development of each under the rule of foreign invaders following the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and the English invasion of Ireland in 1167. We will focus on the cultural and social history of the peoples and institutions of early Britain and place them in the wider context of the European Middle Ages. Swing Course HST488. Course requires a minimum grade of "C" (for Major/Minor/Certification) NYSED requires a minimum course grade of “B- (graduate sections) for certification. 3 Cr.

HST 599 Independent Study in History (A)

Arranged in consultation with the instructorsponsor prior to registration. 1-3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 600 Introduction to Historical Study (A)

Explores the nature of historical knowledge and the means whereby that knowledge is achieved. Stresses the development and execution of a simple research design. Introduces students to modern historical scholarship. Should be taken early in a student's MA program. 3 Cr. Fall.

HST 601 Topics in American History (A)

Provides a thematic approach to American history with specific topics changing each semester. May be repeated for credit. 3 Cr.

HST 602 Topics in World History (A)

Provides a thematic approach to world history with specific topics changing each semester. May be repeated for credit. 3 Cr.

HST 612 Modern America at War (A)

Course requires a grade of "B". Students will examine how militarism, war, and violent confrontation have affected the fabric of American life since the late 19th century. They will further explore the evolving connections between war and issues of race, gender, and political ideology and nationalism, as well as the scientific and technological, economic and environmental consequences of U.S. militarism over the past 150 years. 3 Cr.

HST 613 Race, Nationality, and Empire in Modern Russia (A)

Explores the intersection of race and nationality in the building of empire in late tsarist Russia, the Soviet Union, and post-communist Russian Federation. Special emphasis is given to Soviet nationality policies and the experiences of non-Russians in the USSR which was officially conceived as an anti-racist anti-empire. Examines how the legacies of the tsarist and Soviet empires inform developments in the present-day Russian Federation. 3 Cr.

HST 614 Reading Seminar in Early America (A)

A broad reading course in early American history that examines writings from the colonial beginnings through Reconstruction. Acquaints students with the principal literature and major recent interpretations of the field. Requires students to read, interpret and synthesize a variety of readings in social, political, economic and intellectual history. 3 Cr.

HST 615 Reading Seminar in Modern America (A)

Examines writings on American history since Reconstruction. Students learn to analyze historical scholarship through readings and seminar discussions. Requires a concluding essay to help students develop a synthetic overview. 3 Cr.

HST 616 Reconstruction Seminar (A)

A comprehensive exploration of the history and historiographical debates associated with Reconstruction, 1865-1877. Military, economic, political, racial, social, cultural, and gender changes in the United States offer opportunities for special readings and research projects for students. Major historical monographs on the era will constitute the core of the readings. Course requires a minimum grade of "B-" (for General Education/Major/Minor/Certification) Add statement - NYSED requires a minimum course grade of B- (graduate sections) for certification. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 617 Recent US History: 1970s to Now (B)

From Watergate to Donald Trump, stagflation to the Great Recession, a post-Vietnam War malaise to the War on Terror, Saturday Night Fever to Taylor Swift, deindustrialization to the covid-19 pandemic, recent US history hovers in an uncertain place. It is neither quite fully past, nor simply just current affairs. Given its ambiguous quality, how might we focus on the recent past as historians? In this online/in-person synchronous graduate course, students read, explore a wide range of materials, participate in seminar discussions, write analytic essays, and complete a final, more ambitious project of research as we probe the recent US past and ask what historical methods can bring to the study of a time period that is almost, but not quite yet, history. 3 Cr.

HST 642 Regional Seminar: Early Modern Europe (A)

Examines the writings concerned with European history before 1789. Investigates historiography of the Renaissance, Reformation, Absolutist States, Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment. Focuses especially on popular culture, state making, gender and the interaction of Europe with the world economy. 3 Cr.

HST 643 Darkest Europe: War, Race, and Empire in the 20th century (A)

Introduces students to influential and controversial scholarship on the history of modern Europe, focusing on the twentieth century. We will examine European ideas of race, class, and gender and use popular culture to enhance our understanding of the First and Second World Wars, the Holocaust, European imperialism and decolonization, nationalism, and the Cold War. We will consider how Western Europe viewed itself as uniquely modern and civilized in the midst of mass death and destruction and the long shadows of that violence. 3 Cr.

HST 644 Regional Seminar: Latin America (A)

Examines key themes in Latin American history with a focus on the post-1800 period. May include topics such as economic dependency, race and gender relations, state-building and popular movements. Places the region in a comparative and transatlantic context. 3 Cr.

HST 645 Seminar: East Asia (A)

Examines the history of the Sinocentric world, Southeast Asia and Central Asia (Tibet, Xinjiang and contiguous Turkic-Muslim areas). Entails two segments: a) selected readings on a discrete, specific historical issue or development, and b) a critique and overview of significant English language works in Asian history. 3 Cr.

HST 646 Regional Seminar: Africa (A)

Examines a series of themes or topics that cast Africa's historical experience in a larger world historical and comparative framework. Includes topics such as state-building, Islam in Africa, slavery and slave trades, the colonial experience, race relations and nationalism. 3 Cr.

HST 648 Regional Seminar: Medieval Europe (A)

Examines key themes of medieval European history in seminar format. 3 Cr.

HST 649 The Middle East and North Africa (A)

Examines major themes in the study of the Islamic Middle East and North Africa, such as the foundations of Islamic religious, political and cultural discourses; the early-modern empires; the role of colonialism and modernity in shaping the contemporary Middle East, and the trajectory of Islamic revivalism. 3 Cr.

HST 650 The Enemy in the Mirror: East-West (Mis)Representations (A)

Cross-cultural contact often involves mis-perceptions of the cultural Other framed by differentil relations of power. This course reviews the literature on Orientalism, both pro and con, and explores historical trends and examples from European and American History. The last third of the course presents examples of "Occidentalism" -- appropriation of images of the West by Eastern societies. 3 Cr.

HST 651 U.S. Women’s History Seminar (A)

Crosslisted: as WMS651. Students will explore the history of women in the United States. Seminar readings will begin with the colonial period and continue through the latter twentieth century. Topics of focus include women’s work and family lives; involvement in political movements; differences and conflicts across race and class; the expression and regulation of female sexuality; changing definitions of femininity and womanhood; and women’s relationship to the state. Students will also explore historiographical trends in women’s history and read feminist theory that is relevant to historical interpretation. Regular short writing assignments, one longer book essay, and a longer final paper are required. 3 Cr.

HST 652 War and Peace in 20th Century - Topics ()

This is a reading seminar intended for graduate students majoring in history. It focuses mostly on the twentieth century, during which war and peace alternated with vast implications for various cultures around the world. Within and outside of the West, World Wars I and II and the Cold War elevated the importance of various cultures, leading to both intended and unintended consequences in peacetime. In this course, we will explore the interrelatedness of war and peace—that is, how each has helped shape the other in the cultural sphere. 3 Cr.

HST 654 Race Riots in the Twentieth Century (A)

Explores the class, gender, and racial dimensions of manifestations of mob violence in the twentieth century. Yields insight into the programs of the first half of the century that often targeted minority communities, were aided by government and law enforcement officials, and penalized economic success. Examines the role of economic and social inequalities in fueling the urban rebellions of the 1960s and beyond in the United States and Europe. 3 Cr.

HST 655 Puerto Rico Across Empires: Colony, Patria, Race, Diaspora (A)

Analyzes through student-led/faculty-facilitated discussion the history and historiography of Puerto Rico as a homeland (patria) for millions, within the Spanish Empire from 1508 and the U.S. Empire since 1898. Features scholarship on systems and constructions of class, race, gender, and citizenship, including within the Puerto Rican diaspora in the U.S. Final project choice shaped by individual interests and/or career path. 3 Cr.

HST 691 Research in American History (A)

An individualized research experience. Allows students to develop skills in original scholarly research in American history and to explore the methods and resources appropriate for a selected area of investigation. Themes vary with the student and instructor. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 695 Research in World History (A)

An individualized research experience. Allows students to develop skills in original scholarly research in World history and to explore the methods and resources appropriate for a selected area of investigation. Themes vary with the student and instructor. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 699 Independent Study in History (A)

Arranged in consultation with the instructor-sponsor prior to registration. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 700 Historical Integration (A)

Entails an individualized project supervised by two faculty, culminating in an integrative essay answering a broad historiographical question based on previous readings plus an extra list of readings agreed on by the committee. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 701 Masters Thesis (A)

A six-credit thesis. Original and focused primary research project that must be spread out over at least two semesters and supervised by two faculty. Students must have a 3.8 GPA or the written permission of two faculty to register. Students who earn an A or A- will have their theses bound in the library. 6 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 702 Public History Capstone (A)

Students produce a public history project in consultation with two advisors. Projects can include: an exhibit and catalogue of historical objects (virtual, digital or material); a website based on a non-material topic in public history; an essay aimed at public history scholars; a project based in an internship experience; an oral history project. All projects must have a formal written component; minimum fifteen pages with an attached project; thirty pages as stand-alone essay. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

HST 703 History Capstone Project (A)

Student must be registered concurrently in a 600-level seminar in History, designated by prearrangement with the instructor as the host course for the capstone project. Enables students to embed an individualized capstone project into a 600-level seminar in which the student is concurrently enrolled, with prearrangement with the instructor and the Graduate Director. The project will culminate in a substantial research paper. Cr. By Arrangement.

HST 710 College Teaching Practicum (B)

Provides the mature graduate student in his or her second or third semester with extensive reading in the literature on current teaching practices, audio-visual material utilization, curriculum design, and experience in all aspects of collegiatelevel teaching at the introductory level: lecturing; small-group discussion; and the preparation, administration and evaluation of written assignments and exams. Culminates with a report containing a pedagogical essay by the student, a description of the teaching experience, and the instructor's evaluation of both the pedagogical essay and the teaching experience. 3 Cr. Every Semester.