Drake History Courses
Introductory CoursesThese courses are designed for students who have a limited background in history. They focus on a number of broad trends that developed within a specific region or country over an extended time period. They also acquaint students with differing schools of historical interpretation.
1. Passages to the Modern World: to 1750 (3 hours)
This course begins with a comparison of the feudal societies that existed before 1500. It then traces the origins of capitalism in Western Europe and the subsequent impact of Europe on Africa, Asia and the Americas. It also examines the areas that lay beyond this new world system and closes with a look at the winds of change that were blowing in many parts of the globe by 1750.
2. Passages to the Modern World: Since 1750 (3 hours)
This course begins with discussion of the industrial and democratic revolutions that transformed the Western world from 1750 to 1870, and then analyzes the imperialist surge of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It next explores the relationship between these events and the two world wars, global depression and revolutions that characterized the 1914-1925 era. Finally, the course examines the stunning changes that have occurred in the world since the 1950s. PreReq: Hist 1.
21. East Asian Civilization to 1600 (3 hours)
The formation, evolution and expansion of the major cultural centers of Asia, including India, China and Japan. The principal themes are the origin and growth of various philosophies and the development of major economic, social and political trends.
22. East Asian Civilization Since 1600 (3 hours)
The transformation of oriental societies from the arrival of Europeans by sea to the present. The principal themes are the impact of the West, the modernization of Asia, the inception of nationalist and communist movements and major economic, political and social movements.
41. Ancient Greece (3 hours)
The history, literature, art and philosophy of the Greek world with emphasis upon its ideals and achievements.
42. Ancient Rome (3 hours)
Rome and the Roman Empire; territorial, political and economic growth; religion, laws, society and culture.
75. U. S. History to 1877 (3 hours)
The course is divided into two periods. The 1607-1820 era witnessed the destruction of millions of native Americans; the formation of prosperous farming communities; the development of an independent society that was good for whites but oppressive for blacks; and the transformation of the family system. From 1820 to 1877, a new industrial society emerged, which led to increased north-south tensions, finally leading to the Civil War and Reconstruction.
76. U.S. History: 1877 to Present (3 hours)
The course is divided into two periods. From 1877 to 1920, rapid industrialization both created a new social order and generated profound economic, political and cultural tensions. Since 1920, the lives of most Americans have been shaped by the growing power of the state and large corporations, the development of mass culture, international tensions, and the attempt to create equality for women and racial minorities.
99. Women in European History 1400 ñ 1945 (WS 130) (3 hours)
A survey course, covering both womenís experiences and the shifting definitions of gender in Western and Central Europe and its colonies from 1400 to 1945. Topics include peasant women; the witch hunts, aristocratic women, the female intellectual tradition, factory women, socialists and feminists.
*110 The Era of the American Revolution, 1763-1789 (3 hours)
American political, economic and social institutions at the end of the colonial period; the origins, course and results of the American Revolution; the United States during the Confederation; the framing and ratification of the Constitution.
*112 The Civil War and Reconstruction (3 hours)
Political, social and economic forces leading to the disruption of the Union; military action resulting from secession; economic and other non-military factors contributing to ultimate victory for the North; problems of reconstruction facing the United States.
*113 America as a World Power 1912 to Present
An examination of the complex factors that shaped American diplomacy from the Wilson administration to the present. Special emphasis is placed on the interwar years, on the transformation of U.S. policy in the 1945-50 period and on the major dilemmas of the Cold War years.
*114 The United States from 1933 to the Present (3 hours)
An examination of the impact on American society of the Great Depression, the international crisis of the late 1930s, World War II, the Cold War, and the growing domestic unrest of the late 1950s and 1960s.
*118 Economic History of the United States (Economics *151) (3 hours)
The study of American economic development from the Colonial Period, with emphasis on topics in the years before 1875. The course features the application of economic theory and statistics in the evaluation of data and in the formulation of historical generalizations. Prereq: ECON 1
*123 Modern Mexico (3 hours)
A survey of Mexican history during the national period, from 1821 to the present. The course begins with the disintegration of the Spanish colony of New Spain and the achievement of Mexican independence after a decade of struggle. The course then divides into four sections. The first part examines the political, economic, social, and cultural trends of the turbulent first half of the nineteenth century. The second part focuses on the thrity-five year peace established by dictator Porfirio Diaz. The epic Mexican Revolution of 1910 and its national legacy are the topics of the third section. The final segment explores U.S. ñ Mexican relations from the Monroe Doctrine to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Dealing with significant border issues such as illegal immigration, narco-trafficking, and the international division of labor. Course readings, lectures, and in-class discussions also will emphasize social and cultural history, reflecting the most recent historiographical trends.
*124 Aztec, Inca, Maya (3 hours)
This survey introduces students to the fascinating and complex histories of three major Pre-Columbian civilizations: the Aztecs, Incas, and Maya. All three great empires rose from inauspicious beginnings to reach unprecedented heights in political, social, and cultural development in the Americas. All three were among the first Amerindian cultures to encounter the physical, psychological, technological, strategic and viral advantages of conquering Europeans in the New World. The course explores the rise, expansion, and collapse of each civilization and concludes with the systematic imposition of Spanish cultural forms in America. Does evidence suggest that thse once-flourishing kingdoms had irreversibly decayed at the time of European contact? Or did they contain the seeds of further imperial and capitalist expansion? What evidence exists of Amerindian cultural resistance and survival in the wake of the brutal Iberian conquest? What are the historical legacies of the Aztecs, Incas and Maya?
*125 Colonial Latin America (3 hours)
Latin American history from European contact with indigenous peoples of the Americas through the Wars of Independence. The course is divided into three sections. The first examines the geopolitical, economic, cultural, and environmental impact and consequences of Columbusís voyages; the European conquest of native Americans in the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America; and the imposition of Spanish and Portuguese institutions in the New World. The second section explores the major political, economic, social, and intellectual developments of the colonial period from 1550-1750. The third and final section examines the eighteenth-century Bourbon Reforms and the disintegration of Spanish and Portuguese America. With this course students will achieve a greater understanding of Latin American culture and gain the necessary historical background for History 126, Modern Latin America.
*126 Modern Latin American (3 hours)
History 126 is a survey of Latin American history during the national period, 1821-present. The course begins with the disintegration of Spanish and Portuguese America and then divides into three parts: 1) the political, economic and cultural trends of the nineteenth century, 2) the revolutionary trends of the twentieth century, and 3) inter- American relations during the twentieth century. Each of the three parts is divided into sections devoted to the historical development of individual countries. The first section on the nineteenth century necessarily focuses on the four most important nations of modern Latin America: Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. To these four we add Cuba in the second part of the course on twentieth-century revolutions. The third and final section emphasizes the evolution of U.S. diplomatic and commercial relations with Central America and the Caribbean.
*127 Modern China (3 hours)
Chinese history from the Opium War to the present, with emphasis on the interaction of the Western impact and Chinaís response. Decline of the Manchu Dynasty; establishment of the Republic; rise of modern Chinese nationalism; inception of the communist movement; China under communist rule.
*128 Revolutions in 20th Century Asia (3 hours)
A comparative study of decolonialization, independence and revolutionary movements in India, Indonesia, Indochina and China in the 20th century. An in-depth investigation into the lives of such revolutionaries as Gandhi, Sukarno, Ho Chi-Minh, Sun Yat-Sen and Mao Tse-tung - how each of them perceived the situation of his country and how he devised the strategies to achieve his goals.
*133 Europe in the 19th Century (3 hours)
From the fires of the French Revolution to the ìguns of Augustî beginning WWI, the course covers these aspects of nineteenth-century Europe - imperialism, class politics (socialism) feminism, technological development, and industrial capitalism - necessary to understand that the 19th century was not peaceful, and that WWI was perhaps the most likely outcome.
*134 Contemporary Europe (3 hours)
Cultural and ideological trends in the 20th century, World War I and its aftermath; social, political and economic developments between the wars; World War II; the United Nations and the Cold War.
*136 The Old Regime and the French Revolution 1715-1799 (3 hours)
Institutional and social development of France, climaxing in the French Revolution. Special emphasis on the national and international significance of the Revolution.
*137 France Since 1799, Napolean to DeGaulle (3 hours)
Social and political evolution of France in a quest of stability. Special empasis on the continuity of the revolutionary tradition.
*139 World War One (3 hours)
This course covers the political, military, economic and social dimensions of the war, as an international war, and watershed in modern history. The lives of men and women on virtually every continent will be covered, along with problems of inequality, imperialism, economic development, psychological trauma and diplomacy that the war exposes.
*140 The Practice of History (3 hours)
This course is designed to help students understand the discipline of history as a way of thinking and to aid their development of reading, writing, research, and organizing skills. It lays the groundwork for more advanced study of history, as well as other humanities and social science disciplines.
Colloquia
These courses are designed for qualified upper division students who wish to examine a specific topic in great depth. Colloquia are limited to 20 persons and involve reading a large quantity of material about complex and controversial issues. Students are required to analyze and discuss the reading material as well as to write a series of short essays on assigned topics.
*151 Culture and History: America From the Great Depression to the McCarthy Period. (3 hours)
The Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II generated a tremendous amount of turmoil and instability within American society. Not until the McCarthy period were many of these battles resolved in a manner facorable to conservative elements. This course examines the complicated ways in which American culture reflected these upheavals and helped shape the newly emerging social order.
*153 The Chinese Communist Revolution and Revolutionaries (3 hours)
A history of the Chinese communist movement in the 20th century; war; the founding of the People's Republic; and the role of China in the contemporary world. The lives of prominent leaders are discussed and analyzed.
*155 Introduction to Marxism (3 hours)
Through reading and analyzing materials by and about Karl Marx, students obtain an understanding of the major components of Marxism. Emphasis is placed on both the concepts Marx used in constructing his theories and on the theories themselves.
*156 Women in Revolutionary Europe 1789-1848 (WS 132) (3 hours)
Women took part in the French Revolution, in widespread popular rioting in the 18th and 19th centuries, and in the endemic lesser revolutions that wracked Europe and her colonies repeatedly until 188. This course focuses on three questions: What were they fighting for? How did they understand their womanhood? How did both their male colleagues and enemies discuss womenís political and sometimes violent participation?
*157 Sex and Power in Peasant Society (WS 133) (3 hours)
An examination of the lives of women and men in European peasant society, from the 14th through 19th centuries, using primary sources as much as possible, and focusing on relations of power both with the village and beyond the villagersí control: landlords, merchants, political change and definitions of gender that became increasingly inappropriate to rural life.
158 Comparative Working-Class Movements in the Americas (3 hours)
A comparative study of working-class struggles with and responses to the transition to capitalism in the Americas during the 20th century. Exploration of historiography of Latin American labor (and some U.S. cases) to consider issues of class mobilization, economic location, race, gender, ideology and political strategy.
161 Africa, Africans, and Atlantic Slavery (3 hours)
This course is designed to root African slavery and trade in its varied African contexts. Thus, students will analyze how and why Africans were ìproducedî for the Atlantic slave trade and the influence African slaves had, via resistance, a slave economy, and slave culture, on the making of the Atlantic world.
166. Women Intellectuals in the Western Tradition (WS 195) (3 hours)
Readings in the work of women intellectuals, and their male colleagues, particularly addressing womanís nature, God and political rights, over approximately the last three thousand years, starting with the mysterious J at the court of King Solomon, and ending with the American Zora Neale Hurston.
*169. Women in African History (3 hours)
This course examines the social, economic and political forces that have shaped African womenís lives from the pre-colonial era to the present. Topics covered include women in rural and urban economies, women in slavery, women in national liberation struggles, and women under colonialism. HIST 1 or one women's studies course is recommended, but not required, as a prerequisite.
Research Seminars
Research seminars are designed for individuals in the junior and senior years who have demonstrated an ability to deal with complex historical issues. The courses are limited to 15 persons and involve the satisfactory completion of a significant amount of research in primary material. Students are expected to participate fully in class discusiions, to present oral reports and to produce competently researched and written papers.
*180. Seminar in European History (3 hours)
A systematic examination of selected aspects of European history. Depending on the instructor, the seminar may focus on the period between the World Wars, the post World War II years, or biography as a historical technique.
*185. Revolution and Counterrevolution: World Politics, 1943-1954 (3 hours)
As World War II drew to a close, revolutionary activity accelerated in many areas of the glove, a process that inevitably caused defenders of the old order to spring into action. The result was a prolonged period of struggle that finally produced an unstable equilibrium by 1954. Students examine the general revolution vs. counterrevolution dynamic before undertaking extensive analyses of specific countries.
*190. Seminar in American History (3 hours)
A systematic examination of selected aspects of American history. Depending on the instructor, the seminar may focus on historiography, the Jacksonian era, Civil War and Reconstruction, foreign relations, urban history, or recent U.S. history.
Special Topics
90. Special Studies in History (1 hour)
Units of study focusing on particular historical issues or events.
91. Introduction to Historical Research (2 hours)
(Subtitle varies from semester to semester)
Introduction to the research and writing of history through the discovery and testing of sources and evidence, the organization and synthesis of writing, and the use of scholarly citation. Topics are derived from the subject matter of the HIST 90 section that precedes HIST 91. Open to those students who have completed the HIST 90 section with the same subtitle.
*170. Selected Studies in History (1 - 3 Hours)
An intensive examination of selected units of study. The course may focus on important historical issues, events or personalities.
195. Apprenticeship in History (3 - 6 hours)
The apprenticeship enables the student to acquire experience in such history - related fields as journal editing, museum and archival work, and the collection and preservation of historical materials.
197. History Honors Program: Research (3 hours)
Under the supervision of one or more members of the history department, honors students concentrate upon developing a research project, completing the preliminary reading in secondary literature, and beginning an examination of primary materials.
198. History Honors Program: Thesis (3 hours)
Continuance of HIST 197. Under the supervision of one or more members of the History Department, honors students complete the research begun in HIST 197 and write an honors thesis (50 - 60 typewritten pages), in which they analyze and integrate the material uncovered in their research activities.
199. Selected Topics in History (1- 3 hours)
An opportunity for independent study with topics selected according to student interest and needs. Prereq: Consent of the department.