History (HST)

An examination of the development of ancient civilizations in Afro-Eurasia (especially Mesopotamia, China, and Ancient Rome), North America, and South America. Major patterns and themes include patterns of taxation, military institutions, gender relations, and regional self-sufficiency.

An examination of the rise of globalization, from the fourteenth century to the present. Major topics include civilizations in India, Latin America, China, and Russia, and the rise of the empires in Spain, England, and France. Themes include trading patterns, slavery, destructions of indigenous cultures, and the rise of modern capitalism.

Demonstrates the relevance of the discipline of History by examining the historical development of three or more contemporary issues. Students will become familiar with relevant historical characters and events, the historiography of the selected issues, methods of historical study and the relevance of historical thinking to everyday life.

A survey of American history from the era of discovery through the Civil War.

Continues the survey of American history to the present. May be taken whether or not students have completed HST 203

Fundamental concepts necessary for geographic thinking. Land formations, weather and climate patterns, regional contrasts and interrelationships. Introduction to cultural and physical elements of geography, which influence and identify various areas of the world.

An in-depth study of the American Revolution: the course traces the origins and events that shaped the war, the key figures in leading the opposing sides of the war, military battles, documents that define the war, social and cultural considerations during the War.

History of this defining event including origins, meaning, the developing conflict from Sumter through Appomattox, and the era of Reconstruction.

A history of Central and South America from the ancient civilizations to the present day. Emphasis on first contact and European colonization, the slave trade, Catholicism, race and class, political movements, and the impact of United States foreign policy on the development of individual nations.

This class will analyze the causes and effects of World War II from both a military and a cultural historian’s perspective, in much greater detail than an American History or Western Civilization course could provide. Students will be required to critically analyze and study the decisions of the war on both sides, and write papers in a chosen field of study on the war.

A broad examination of one of the most distinctive aspects of American history - the saga of the nation's original inhabitants. The class surveys pre-history to establish the dynamic nature of pre-Columbian cultures then explores the violent and complex interaction of Indian and European civilizations from the 16th century to the present.

An analysis of the ancient civilizations of the Near East, Greece, and Rome; emphasis on the institutional and cultural developments that shaped western civilization.

Western Europe between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. Emphasis on the feudal character of society and the political, economic, and religious institutions and their development.

An examination of the intellectual, social, political, and religious character of Europe in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries.

Course covers European History from the French Revolution to the present day with emphasis on the social and cultural changes affecting the continent and, because of European influence, much of the rest of the world. Special attention is given to imperialism, industrialization and the rise of distinctive ideologies such as Marxism/Communism/Liberalism and Fascism.

The Medieval Middle East will examine the historic development of the Islamic world from its origins to around 1450CE. Cultural, economic, political and religious developments will be addressed, along with the interaction of the Middle East with European society. The crusades will play an important part of the course focus.

Follows the social, political, cultural and economic development of the Middle East region from the 1700s until today. Focuses on the roles religion, political violence, and interaction with the west have played in the history of the Middle East.

Course combines acquisition of the practical skills employed by professional historians with the study of historiography, historical theory and ethics. Among the topics covered are the use of primary and secondary sources, proper citations, research methods, source analysis, how to craft research questions, and how to develop a historical narrative. By the end of the course, each student will research and write an original, article-length research paper.

Through the lens of anime, this class will examine the rich history and culture of Japan, the history and structure of anime itself and how it has adapted to Japan’s changing role in the world, and cross-cultural influences and views.

Examines Montana’s origins and development in the context of the American West from the pre-contact era into the twenty-first century.

Expected to be offered: intermittently

This course traces the history of espionage in the Twentieth century beginning with the state of intelligence gathering in the Nineteenth century, covering both World Wars, the interwar period, Cold War, industrial and political espionage and the War on Terror. The institutional histories of the M15, KGB and CIA receive particular emphasis and the course seeks to assess the impact of the covert world on decision making, domestic policy, international relations and popular culture.

An introduction to the history of industrialization and post-industrialization in the United States and its relationship to migrations and markets in the world. Special focus on the history of the American working class, the construction of a new American middle class, and the changing relationships between workers and employers. Special themes include the changing balance of trade between US imports and exports, the rise of Fordism, the economics of the New Deal, the rise and fall of an American welfare state, and the contemporary reign of big-box stores, mass-importation of goods, and the present reign of a service-driven economy.

Course examines American Involvement in the Cold War considering the forty year long conflict from a variety of perspectives including foreign policy, domestic impact, popular culture, military preparedness, third world conflicts, ideology and espionage.

Pre-requisite: Consent of instructor

In their senior year history majors conduct research in appropriate primary and secondary source materials and produce an article-length study under the direction of a member of the history faculty. Pre-requisite: Consent of instructor