History

This course surveys World History before approximately 1500 CE. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement.  Fall, Spring.

This course surveys World History after approximately 1500 CE. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

This course surveys the history of the United States from the Europeans' first contact with the Americas to the end of Reconstruction.  This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

This course surveys the history of the United States from the end of Reconstruction to the turn of the twenty-first century. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

This course introduces the skills, issues, and challenges encountered in careers in Public History. No prerequisites. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course introduces History as an academic discipline and the kinds of assignments in typical History courses. During the semester, the students will complete a major research project with a presentation.  This course must be taken concurrently with HIST-300X. Students must earn a minimum of a C- or better in two attempts or fewer to earn a History degree. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall.

This course is the Junior SEWS writing requirement for History majors and must be taken concurrently with HIST-300. Students must earn a minimum of a C- or better in two attempts or fewer to earn a History degree. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall.

This course examines the history of the thirteen British colonies in North America from 1607 CE to 1763 CE, including an emphasis on the establishment of colonies, institutions, values, and the growth of a culturally and ethnically diverse population, as well as conflicts with Native Americans, French, and the Spanish in
British North America. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of history or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the history of Tennessee from its Native American roots to the present, including an emphasis on the state’s relationship to national history. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the culture and history of Native America, beginning with societies in Central, South, and North America prior to encounters with European civilizations, and ending in the present day. There is a general emphasis on Indigenous people within the United States, and a particular focus on the evolving nature of diplomacy, society, politics, law, and warfare among the many Indigenous peoples of this country, as well as United States history as a whole. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course is an introductory survey of medieval society, culture, and politics, beginning with the decline of the Roman Empire through the fifteenth century. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Offered every three years or as needed.

This course surveys British History to 1688 CE and focuses more on England. Prerequisite: six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall every even year.

This course surveys British History from 1688 CE to the present. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Spring every odd year.

This course explores Greek civilization from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period (approximately 323 BCE). Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Offered every three years or as needed.

This course examines the history of the Modern Middle East and North Africa from approximately 1770 CE to the present. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

Covers the relationship between the United States and the Asian and Pacific regions during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Examines how and why America acquired and ruled over Hawaii and the Philippines. Also examines American economic, military, and diplomatic involvement with China and Japan. Emphasis on cultural contact and the links between domestic affairs and foreign relations. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the history of Latin America from the pre-Columbian era to the end of the twentieth century. Particular focus is placed on the roles of religion, race, and economics in shaping the region. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course surveys the history of Rome from the beginning of the Roman Republic in 509 B.C.E. to the decline of the western Roman Empire in 476 C.E. It will focus on the development of political and military institutions, Roman expansion, and the interaction between Romans and the many cultural groups who interacted with them. Special emphasis will be given to the creation and change in Roman civilization over time, and its legacy to western civilization. Must have six credit hours of history or permission of instructor. Fall every third year.

This course surveys the history of the Appalachian region of the United States. Special attention is given to Native American peoples of the region, environment and ecology, the effects of European settlement and colonization, the industrial era of the late nineteenth century, and the many social and political changes that have affected the region in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Prerequisite: must have six hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the history of Modern South Asia from roughly 1715 CE to the present. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course explores various themes, theories, problems, and opportunities associated with the field of Public History. Specific topics to be chosen by the instructor. This course may be repeated for additional credit. Topics must vary when repeated. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the history and current state of the museum profession, as well as the role of museums in modern culture. Components and best practices of museum and historic site operations are given special attention, as well as the range of general and specialized museum settings. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the military history of the United States from the Colonial period to the present, including an emphasis on why and how wars are fought, the creation of an American military establishment, the nature of combat and its impact on soldiers, the technological transformation of warfare, and the relationship between military affairs and constitutional, social, and cultural issues. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the development of a new kind of Holy War which emerged at the end of the eleventh century and transformed political, economic, social, and intellectual relations between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Although the course concentrates on the period from 1095 CE through 1300 CE, it will also address how the idea of crusading has changed over time, influencing modern rhetoric on the idea of a crusade. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Offered every three years or as needed.

This course will provide a basic understanding of the role of the frontier in American History and culture, with special attention to the history of the environment and natural spaces in the frontier. Topics and themes will include: law and ideas related to land and property, motives for and consequences of expansion, settlement patterns, economic development and exploitation of natural spaces, and the folklore and romanticism that have developed around the frontier experience. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course covers a specialized study of issues, periods, areas, and trends in World History. The course satisfies the Non-European, non-US History requirement for History majors. and it may be repeated for additional credit. Topics must vary when repeated. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the development of the western legal tradition from its foundation in Roman law to the end of the Middle Ages and the pre-modern origins and development of the legal profession. Students will be introduced to earlier law codes pre-dating Roman law and to the different medieval European legal systems, such as customary law, canon law, feudal law, common law, and royal law, all of which influenced the later development of law in the West. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines key social, economic, cultural, and political forces active from 1865 CE to 1917 CE. Focus is placed on the United States’ transformation from a largely rural nation to a technologically sophisticated, urban, and ethnically diverse nation. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the diplomacy, political ideologies, nuclear policy, military conflicts, and culture of the Cold War Era from 1945 CE to 1991 CE. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course covers specialized study of pivotal topics, periods, and/or movements in European History. This course satisfies an upper-level European History requirement, and it may be repeated for additional credit. Topics must vary when repeated. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course will focus on the history of the United States Constitution, particularly the process by which the document was written, ratified, and subsequently interpreted. Among the issues that will be addressed in the course are the various factors that highlighted the need for a constitutional convention, the ideas and issues that influenced the development of the Constitution, and the ways in which the Constitution has impacted the lives of Americans. Particular emphasis will be given to significant decisions by the United States Supreme Court and their effects on government and society in the U.S. and the international community. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course covers a specialized study of issues, periods, areas, and trends in American History. The course satisfies an upper-level American History requirement for History majors, and it may be repeated for additional credit. Topics must vary when repeated. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

Examines America’s relationship with Europe in the century of American world power. Emphasis on social, cultural, and economic developments in the United States and how they played a role in shaping American foreign relations with the European nations. Major topics covered include World War I, the Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and economic and cultural ties. Must have six credit hours of history or permission of instructor. As needed.

This course focuses on Abraham Lincoln as a person and as a major political figure in American History, including discussions of his role in American government, in the abolition of slavery, as commander in chief during the Civil War, and as a symbol of American values. Uses Lincoln’s writings and biographical and historical studies to evaluate Lincoln’s impact on American History. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course examines the origins, conduct, and legacy of the American Civil War, including an emphasis on political issues and the military history of the war. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History or permission of instructor. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course explores the methods and values associated with historical research and writing. It includes discussions on the nature of History, the ethics and public obligations of professional historians, the role of the historian in educational institutions, and some of the varied theoretical approaches used by historians when approaching their subjects. It results in the research, writing, and presentation of a major paper. This course must be taken concurrently with HIST-480Z. Students must earn a minimum of a C- or better in two attempts or fewer to earn a History degree. Prerequisite: HIST-300 and HIST-300X and Senior standing or permission of the instructor. Spring.

This course is the Senior SEWS writing requirement for history majors and must be taken concurrently with HIST-480. Students must earn a minimum of a C- or better in two attempts or fewer to earn a history degree. Prerequisite: HIST-300 and HIST-300X and Senior standing or permission of the instructor. Spring.

Students develop, research, write, and present a major research paper in conjunction with an instructor of record. The topic, length, and format are to be determined by both student and instructor. Emphasis on primary as well as secondary sources and formulation of theme or thesis are important components of the course. Thesis to be evaluated by a committee composed of full-time History faculty, and students are required to present their findings in a public forum as well as to defend their thesis before the committee. Prerequisite: approval of an instructor of record and Program Director required. If repeated for credit, must be taken in consecutive terms. Fall/Spring as needed.

This course offers student-directed, hands-on experience and service in a Public History work environment of the student’s choosing, in consultation with the faculty sponsor/instructor. Each credit hour earned requires 60 hours of logged, on-duty work, along with requirements of regular journals and written reports. The internship is monitored and evaluated by a faculty sponsor, in partnership with the supervising representative of the business, agency, or organization. Maximum 3 credit hours of HIST 498 are applicable to the major program in History. Up to three (3) additional credit hours are applicable as electives to the baccalaureate degree. Prerequisite: must have six credit hours of History to be eligible, as well as the explicit consent of a faculty instructor. Summer/Fall/Spring as needed.