History
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Program Description
The study of history engages students with the big questions of change and continuity; social, cultural, political, and economic evolution; and understanding and appreciating one’s place in that evolutionary process. Students will take away practical skills and competencies that allow them to construct their own arguments, making them participants in the ongoing examination of these questions, while providing them with a set of skills that can be used in many different environments and contexts.
Many historians become teachers. Others become professional editors, work in museums or archives, or serve in positions with state or federal government agencies. History also provides an excellent preparation for law school. The research, writing, and analytical skills of the historian can be of great value to business corporations and nonprofit associations.
Completion of the following courses is designed to result in an Associate of Arts degree and meets the general-education requirements at all Idaho public universities. Course selection should be coordinated to meet requirements for your intended transfer institution (if known).
Degrees and Certificates
History (HIST)
HIST 101 Western Civilization 1
(3 Credits, Fall/Spring/Summer)
This course analyzes important social, political, economic, philosophical, and cultural developments that contributed to the formation and evolution of the West, including the Ancient Near East, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, and Early Modern Europe. The course covers the formative period of Western Civilization, as it developed its own ethos and worldview in the Mediterranean world and Medieval Europe, building on the foundations of Greek philosophy and Christianity. It also covers the beginnings of the expansion of Western Civilization through exploration and colonization in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, and the contacts and interactions between Western Civilization and non-Western Civilizations before 1648. (This CWI course meets Idaho State Board GEM competency requirements in GEM 5 - Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing.).
HIST 102 Western Civilization 2
(3 Credits, Fall/Spring/Summer)
This course examines crucial developments in the West between 1648 and the present, including the Age of Reason, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the rise of nationalism and the nation-state, and the consequences of World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. Western civilization expanded rapidly in this time period. From its initial point on the European continent, Western Civilization directly influenced political, economic, religious, and cultural development in the Americas and Australia. Western Civilization also exerted strong influence in Asia and Africa through colonization and 19th century imperialism. (This CWI course meets Idaho State Board GEM competency requirements in GEM 5 - Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing.).
HIST 111 American History 1
(3 Credits, Fall/Spring/Summer)
HIST 111 examines the history of the United States from its pre-colonial and colonial beginnings to the Civil War. Emphasis is placed on tracing the development of the American political system, economic institutions, social structure and culture from the Colonial period, through the Revolution, early National period, and the Jacksonian era, to the Civil War. During this 250-year period, dynamic changes to American constitutionalism, democracy, nationalism, and society led to conflicts in American politics and society over such issues as slavery, federalism, expansionism, and early industrialization. (This CWI course meets Idaho State Board GEM competency requirements in GEM 6 - Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing.).
HIST 112 American History 2
(3 Credits, Fall/Spring/Summer)
HIST 112 examines the evolution of the United States between 1865 and the present. Emphasis is placed on tracing the development of the American political system, economic institutions, social structure, and culture during the Gilded Age, the Progressive era, the Great Depression, the World Wars, and the Cold War. During the modern era, the U.S. had to confront issues of national integration, upheaval in race/class/gender relations, economic change, corporatization, and America's role as a world power. The course ends with a discussion of politics, society, the economy, and information technology in our era. (This CWI course meets Idaho State Board GEM competency requirements in GEM 6 - Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing.).
HIST 190 Introduction to the Study of History
(3 Credits, Fall/Spring)
Using a major historical theme as a foundation, students will examine the philosophy of history, historiography, and methods of historical research. One component of the course will be researching and writing a historical paper. The historical content of the course will vary. Required of all History majors.
HIST 199 History Special Topics
(1-5 Credits, Varies)
This course number is designed to permit the offering of special topics appropriate to a program within the History department. Regular or frequently recurring topics are not offered under this title. The course may be repeated as new topics are presented.
HIST 210 History Through Biography
(3 Credits, Fall/Spring)
This course offers students opportunities to learn and understand the past through study and research of notable individuals or groups of individuals in history. Focus may be on an individual or on the collective biography of a number of individuals linked thematically.
HIST 220 Great Ideas in History
(3 Credits, Spring)
This course will engage students with one of the 102 Great Ideas presented in the Great Books of the Western World. Rooted in the Great Tradition of the Western World, the curriculum for the course follows teachings from the Great Books of the Western Tradition to facilitate intellectual engagement from students. Through a shared inquiry approach, students will trace the evolution and impact of the idea across a span of Western history. Idea will vary by semester.
HIST 230 Themes in U.S. History
(3 Credits, Fall/Spring)
This course offers students opportunities to strengthen their ability to learn and understand the past through study and research of notable themes in U.S. history. Focus may be on an era, event, group, idea, or movement in U.S. history.
HIST 240 Themes in Western History
(3 Credits, Fall)
This course offers students opportunities to learn and understand the past through study and research of notable themes in Western history. Focus may be on a single era, event, group, idea, or movement in Western history.
HIST 290 History Capstone
(3 Credits, Spring)
This course gives History majors the opportunity to use the knowledge and experience they gained in their major courses to assess, criticize, and revise a research assignment. Utilizing the portfolio system, students will choose an assignment to revise and expand with the goal of producing a publishable-quality academic paper. The course will reinforce student knowledge of historical ideas, historiography, theoretical frameworks and models, and the interconnected nature of historical experiences, preparing them for transfer to four-year programs. PRE/COREQ: HIST 190 and 9 credits of completed HIST major courses.
HIST 293 History Internship
(1-3 Credits, Varies)
Internships allow students to apply learning to real-life career possibilities. Credits are earned through supervised field work specifically related to the field of History. PREREQ: Permission of department's internship coordinator.
HIST 296 History Independent Study
(1-10 Credits, Varies)
History independent study course. This is a term-long project. Each credit hour is equivalent to 45 hours of work on a project. Students should make arrangements with the instructor in their field of interest. Before enrolling for independent study, a student must obtain approval of the assistant dean, acting on the recommendation of the instructor who will be supervising the independent study. PREREQ: PERM/INST.