History

Chairperson: Dr. Virginia Boynton
Office: Morgan Hall 438
Telephone: 309/298-1053
Fax: 309/298-2540
E-Mail: VR-Boynton@wiu.edu
Website:www.wiu.edu/history

Faculty: Boynton, Brice, Chamberlin, Cole, Filipink, Hall, Heissinger, Jelatis, Key, Kretchik, Leonard, McNabb, Palmer, Pamonag, Roberts, Sherfy, Starr, Woell.

History is the study of all human behavior at different times and in different places. The student of history seeks to evaluate, understand, and analyze the record of the human experience. In this endeavor, diverse sources and methods are employed to reconstruct and interpret various aspects of the past. The topics selected for study by historians—individual and group behavior, democracy and dictatorship, the emergence of nations and empires, race and ethnicity, technology and science, social change, urban and rural society, class and status, slavery, war and revolution, religion and thought, minorities, women, and popular culture—reflect the ongoing and changing concerns of society. While providing an understanding of the past and its influence on the present, the study of history also imparts and nurtures the basic transferable skills of inquiry, analysis, and communication.

The fundamental goal of the study of history is not only to help one understand human behavior over time and place but also to provide one with the abilities to ask relevant questions, draw meaningful conclusions from disparate data, and present conclusions clearly and cogently in oral and written forms. Recent studies by major American corporations indicate that these skills are more important to future success than any specific technical training. Studying history provides excellent preparation for any career in business, education, journalism, government work, libraries and museums, law, or the military.

GradTrac is available to History majors. See more information about GradTrac.

Proficiency Examinations

Students may take proficiency examinations in Hist 105, 106, 125, and 126. These examinations are given during the first three weeks of the fall and spring semesters. Students may take only one examination per semester. Contact the Department of History office for further information.

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts—History

All students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in History must complete I, II, and III.A. or III.B. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h.

  1. University General Education and College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Requirements: 60 s.h.
    Except teacher certification students must complete the University General Education Curriculum Requirements (including Geog 120, Geog 121, Math 101 or Math 102, Geog 100*, PolS 122*, Econ 100* or Econ 231*, Geog 110* or Anth 110 or Hist 145): 43 s.h.
  2. Core Courses: 15 s.h.
    Hist 105, 106, 125, 126, 301†
  3. Options of Study (Select A or B)
    1. History
      1. Directed Electives
        U.S. History (Area I): 6 s.h.
        European History (Area II): 6 s.h.
        Non-Western History (Area III): 6 s.h.
        15 of the semester hours in 1 above must be at the 300 or 400 level.
      2. Open Electives: 7-11 s.h.
        Any Minor: 16–20 s.h.
    2. History-Teacher Certification
      1. History Directed Electives: 24 s.h.
        At least 24 s.h. of History courses must be taken, including:
        1. At least 12 s.h. of 400-level courses including History 420
        2. At least 9 s.h. of U.S. History (Area I)
        3. At least 6 s.h. of European History (Area II)
        4. At least 6 s.h. of Non-Western History (Area III)
      2. Other Directed Electives: 15 s.h.
        1. Government and International Relations (15 s.h.)
          1. Domestic (3 s.h. minimum recommended)
            Hist 303**, PolS 122, PolS 315
          2. International Relations (3 s.h. minimum recommended)
            Hist 401**, PolS 228, PolS 267, PolS 331
      3. Other
        1. Geog 100 and 110: 6 s.h.
        2. Other Social Science: 6 s.h.
          Anth 110 or Soc 100, Econ 100 or Econ 231
        3. EIS 201, 301, 302, 303 (1 s.h.), 304 (1 s.h.), 401: 13 s.h.
        4. SSEd 439: 3 s.h.
        5. SpEd 310 and SpEd 390 or Psy 425 and SpEd 383: 4 s.h.
        6. C&I 403: 4 s.h.
        7. STch 480: 12 s.h.

*Required for the major.

†Hist 301 fulfills the Writing Instruction in the Discipline (WID) graduation requirement.

**May count as either a "History Directed Elective" or an "Other Directed Elective," but not as both.

Minors

Minor in History: 20 s.h.

  1. Select three courses from: Hist 105, 106, 125, 126: 9 s.h.
  2. History Electives: 11 s.h.

Note: At least 6 s.h. must be earned at the upper division level at a senior institution.

Note: Transfer students may use world history credits to satisfy the major or minor requirements for Hist 125 and 126.

Course Descriptions

HISTORY (Hist)

105 American History to 1877. (3) (General Education/Humanities) A survey of American history from European backgrounds to the close of Reconstruction.
IAI: H2 904; Hst 911.

106 American History since 1877. (3) (General Education/Humanities) A survey of American history from the end of Reconstruction to the present.
IAI: H2 905; Hst 912.

125 Western Civilization to 1648. (3) (General Education/Humanities) A survey of western social and political institutions, thought, and culture from the ancient world to 1648.
IAI: H2 901; Hst 913.

126 Western Civilization since 1648. (3) (General Education/Humanities) A survey of western social and political institutions, thought, and culture from 1648 to the present, with attention to non-western forces as they helped shape the growth of western civilization.
IAI: H2 902; Hst 914.

145 History of Asia. (3) (General Education/Humanities or Multicultural Studies) A survey of Asian history from ancient times to the present. Directed elective area III.

300 Urban America. (3) A survey of the growth and development of American urban society. The course is designed to show both how technological, economic, social, and political forces have shaped our cities over time and how cities have affected American life. No prerequisite. Directed elective area I.

301 (formerly Hist 491) Writing and Research in History. (3) This course focuses on writing and research in the discipline of history. Writing Instruction in the Discipline (WID) course.Prerequisites junior or senior standing; at least 18 s.h. in history or permission of the instructor; Eng 280.

302 American Indian History, Pre-Contact to the Present. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) This course surveys the history of American Indians from pre-contact to recent times within the current area of the U.S. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or 106, or consent of instructor.

303 American Law. (3) A study of American law with emphasis upon the origins and development of legal institutions, legal procedures, and the historical background of American legal procedures. Prerequisite: 3 s.h. of U.S. history or consent of instructor. Directed elective area I.

304 United States Military History. (3) A survey of the military policies and engagements which had significance in America's independence, expansion, and present world position. Prerequisites: Hist 105 and 106 or enrollment in or completion of MS 311, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area I.

306 Vietnam: A Television History. (3) A survey of the origins, battles, tactics, and strategy of the Vietnam War, with special emphasis on the domestic, social, and political impact of the War in the U.S. The course consists of 13 one-hour television programs and accompanying lectures. Directed elective area I or III.

308 American West. (3) The settlement and development of the West from the Appalachian Range to the Pacific Ocean. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or 106, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area I.

309 American South. (3) A survey of the American South from the colonization period to the present. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or 106, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area I.

310 Crime and Police. (3) A comparative study of significant developments in criminal justice and policing in the U.S., Great Britain, France, and Germany since the 18th century. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or 106 or 126, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area I or II.

313 (cross-listed with AAS 313) Black America, 1619–1865. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) A survey of the Black experience in America from its West African roots to 1865. Not open to students with credit for AAS 313 or Hist 210. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or AAS 100 or consent of instructor.Directed elective area I.

314 (cross-listed with AAS 314) Black America, 1865–Present. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) A survey of the Black experience in America since 1865. Not open to students with credit for AAS 314 or Hist 211. Prerequisite: Hist 106 or AAS 100 or consent of instructor. Directed elective area I.

317 (cross-listed with WS 317) Women in American History. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) A multicultural and historical survey of women in the United States, from 1500 to the present. Not open to students with credit in WS 317. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or 106, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area I.

318 (cross-listed with WS 318) Women in European History. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) An historical survey of women in Europe, from antiquity to the present. Not open to students with credit in WS 318. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or 126, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area II.

320 Ancient Greece. (3) A study of Hellenic civilization and the institutional and cultural life of the Greeks. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or consent of instructor. Directed elective area II.

321 Ancient Rome. (3) A study of Roman civilization from the Republic through the Empire. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or consent of instructor. Directed elective area II.

324 Middle Ages. (3) A study of the political, economic, and cultural institutions of Europe from the Germanic invasions and the fall of Rome to 1300. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or consent of the instructor. Directed elective area II.

333 Britain to 1688. (3) A survey of British social and political history, with emphasis on constitutional development. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or consent of instructor. Directed elective area II.

338 Germany. (3) A survey of German history from beginnings to the present time. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or 126, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area II.

340 Latin America to 1860. (3) A survey of the history and culture of Latin America from the pre-colonial era through the national revolutions to the mid-nineteenth century. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or 125, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area III.

341 Latin America since 1860. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) A survey of the history and culture of Latin America from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. Prerequisite: Hist 106 or 126, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area III.

344 Middle East. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) A survey of West Asia (including Egypt) from Muhammad to the present. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or 126, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area III.

345 China. (3) A survey of Chinese history from ancient times to the present, with emphasis from the late dynastic (Ching) period through the Cultural Revolution. Prerequisite: Hist 145 or consent of instructor. Directed elective area III.

346 Japan. (3) A survey of Japanese history from ancient times to the present, with emphasis on the period from the late feudal (Tokugawa) period. Prerequisite: Hist 145 or consent of instructor. Directed elective area III.

349 (cross-listed with AAS 349) Africa since 1800. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) A study of major themes from 1800 to the present from an African perspective: slave trade and its abolition, European colonialism, independence movements, and problems of independence. Not open to students with credit for AAS 349. Prerequisite: Hist 126 or consent of instructor. Directed elective area III.

399 Imperial Russia, 1689-1917. (3) A survey of major cultural, intellectual, and political developments within the Russian Empire from the reign of Peter the Great to the fall of the Romanov dynasty. Prerequisite: Hist 126. Directed elective area II.

400 Soviet Union, 1917-1991. (3) An intensive study of political, diplomatic, economic, social, and cultural developments in the Soviet Union from the Bolshevik revolution to the USSR’s collapse. Prerequisite: Hist 126 or 399 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

401 American Diplomatic History. (3) A history of American foreign relations with emphasis on the period from the war with Spain to the present, stressing the behavior of the United States as a world power. Prerequisite: Hist 106 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

412 American Colonial History. (3) A history of the discovery, settlement, and development of the American colonies to 1763. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

413 American Revolution and the New Nation. (3) A study of developments which caused the Revolution, examination of the War of Independence, the Confederation, the Federal Constitution, and subsequent events to 1800. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

414 Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Era, 1800–1850. (3) An intensive study of the development of the United States as a nation from 1800 to 1850. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

415 Civil War and Reconstruction. (3) The political, social, economic, military, and diplomatic history of the period 1850–1877, with emphasis on the war years, 1861–1865. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

416 America in Transition, 1877–1914. (3) An examination of the forces transforming America from Reconstruction to the Wilson administration. Prerequisite: Hist 106 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

418 Emergence of Modern America, 1914–1945. (3) A study of American history from World War I to the end of World War II. Prerequisite: Hist 106 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

419 Recent America, 1945 to Present. (3) An examination of American history from the end of World War II to the present. Prerequisite: Hist 106 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

420 History of Illinois. (3) A study of periods and themes in the history of Illinois including social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental change. Prerequisites: Hist 105 and 106 or permission of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301.

421 Presidential Assassination and Political Murder in American History. (3) A study of facts, myths, and controversies surrounding the murder and attempted murder of presidents and political leaders, with emphasis on the Kennedy assassination. Not open to students who have taken Hist 115. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

422 American Environmental History. (3) A history of Americans’ interaction with their natural environment from pre-contact to the present with special emphasis on the last two hundred years. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or 106, or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301.

423 The Vietnam War and Its Times. (3) A seminar on the Vietnam War, with particular emphasis on domestic social and political aspects during the 1960's. Research in primary sources will be required. Prerequisite: Hist 106 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I or III.

424 History of Flight Culture. (3) A cross-cultural survey of the origins, development, and representation of human flight from the ancient world to the present. Prerequisite: Hist 106 or 126, or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I or II.

425 Early Modern Europe, 1350-1648. (3) Study of political, economics, social, and cultural developments of early modern Europe from the mid-fourteenth to mid-seventeenth centuries, including the Renaissance, the Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the age of religious wars, state-building, witchcraft persecution, and the Age of Discovery. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

426 Age of Enlightenment. (3) A study of Europe from 1648 to 1789. Prerequisite: Hist 126 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

427 French Revolution and Napoleon. (3) A detailed examination of the period from 1789 to 1815 in Europe. Prerequisite: Hist 126 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

428 Nineteenth-Century Europe. (3) A study of Europe from 1815 to 1914. Prerequisite: Hist 126 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

429 Europe, 1914-1968. (3) A study of Europe from 1914 to 1968. Prerequisite: Hist 126 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

430 Topics in Ancient History. (3, repeatable to 6 with permission of department chairperson) Study of a theme or chronological period in Greek or Roman History. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

434 Topics in British History. (3, repeatable to 6 with permission of department chairperson) Selected topics dealing with the political, social, and economic development of Britain. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or 126 or 333 or 334, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area II.

438 Germany under Hitler: The Nazi Dictatorship. (3) National Socialism in Germany from Adolf Hitler to the Nuremburg Trials. Prerequisite: Hist 126 or 338, or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

440 Topics in Latin America. (3, repeatable to 6, for different topics, with permission of department chairperson) Selected topics in Latin America such as settlement, slavery, revolution, and dictatorship. Prerequisite: Hist 126 or 340 or 341, or consent of instructor. Directed elective area III.

444 Topics in Middle Eastern History. (3, repeatable to 6 with permission of department chairperson) Selected topics in the political, social, economic, and intellectual history of the Middle East. Topics may vary. Prerequisite: Hist 344 or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area III.

445 Modern East Asia. (3) A study of China, Japan, and Korea in the 20th century. Prerequisite: Hist 145 or 345, or consent of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area III.

451 Problems in History. (1–6, repeatable to 6) Research into areas not specifically covered in other courses. Course credit depends on the nature of the problem and the length of time required to complete the project. Only 3 s.h. may be applied to major or minor requirements. Prerequisites: 6 s.h. of history and junior standing, or consent of instructor.

452 Readings in History. (1–3, repeatable to 3)Prerequisites: 9 s.h. in history and permission of instructor.

482 Topics in European History (3, repeatable to 6 with permission) In-depth study of a theme or chronological period in European History. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: Hist 125 or 126, or permission of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area II.

488 Topics in U.S. History. (3, repeatable to 6 with permission) In-depth study of a theme or chronological period in U.S. History, from the colonial period to the present. Topics will vary. Prerequisite: Hist 105 or 106, as appropriate, or permission of instructor. Corequisite or prerequisite: Hist 301. Directed elective area I.

490 Honors Thesis in History. (3) The preparation by an honor's student of an undergraduate history thesis under the direction of one or more members of the history department. Prerequisite: Honors major in history with junior or senior standing.

494 Internship. (1–12, repeatable to 12) Supervised experience of work in archives, historical institutions, or other institutions requiring historical expertise. Prerequisites: permission of department chairperson and junior or senior status

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