MASTER OF ARTS
DEGREE IN HISTORY

THESIS OPTION:

1.       Thirty semester hours credit with a minimum grade of “B” and no more than two

      courses of “C” grade.

a.      Three credit hours in Historical Method (Hist 605)

b.      Three credit hours in one seminar course (Hist 700 level).

c.      Twenty-four credit hours, including:

1.       History course electives from the following areas:

American, European, Non-Western, Latin American.

2.      Up to six credits in related social studies courses may be accepted.

3.      Three to six credits thesis (Hist 800).

2.      Thesis.

3.      One bound copy of thesis for department and two copies for the library.

4.      Competency in history to be determined by final oral examination.

 NON-THESIS OPTION #1

 1.       Same as above, except

a.      No credits would be earned for thesis, and

b.      Two papers, written in seminars of courses, would be accepted in lieu of

the thesis.

2.      One bound copy of papers for department and one unbound copy for the library.

 NON-THESIS OPTION #2

 1.       Thirty-six semester hours credit with a minimum grade average of “B” and no

more than two courses of “C” grade.

a.      Three credit hours in Historical Method (Hist 605).

b.      Three credit hours in one seminar course (Hist 700 level).

c.      Thirty credit hours, including:

1.       History course electives from the following areas:

American, European, Non-Western, Latin American.

2.      Up to six credits in related social studies courses may be accepted.

3.      Up to six credits of electives in field appropriate to one’s interest may be accepted.

2.      Competency in history to be determined by final oral examination.

GRADUATE COURSES IN HISTORY

 
HIST 511: RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION—A survey of the institutional and cultural developments in Europe from 1400 to 1600 by means of selective illustrations in the learning and arts of the Renaissance and the theologies and social doctrines of the Reformation. (3 sem. hours)

HIST 512: EUROPE, 1715-1815—The study of the development of bureaucracy, the emergence of Britain, Russia, and Prussia as great powers, and the decline of the ancient regime with the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 540: UNITED STATES IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY—Contemporary history of the 20^th century with major emphasis on the political, economic and social changes since World War I.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 561: THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST—A study of the Eastern Mediterranean world from ca. 3200 B.C. to 323 B.C. in order to understand the rich diversity of cultures which that area produced. (3 sem. hours)

HIST 585: THE MIDDLE EAST IN MODERN TIMES—The Islamic and Ottoman background and influences, the impact of the West, developments in 20^th century Turkey, Iran, the Arab States, and Israel.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 605: HISTORICAL METHOD—The critical method of historical research is emphasized, and the materials employed by historical writers are identified and analyzed.  Research skills are developed by using bibliographies, checklists and other research aids.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 612: ANCIENT GREECE—A study of the history of Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Greece (ca. 800-146 B.C.) with an emphasis on the cultural contributions that have provided the basis for much of western culture.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 614: TUDOR-STUART ENGLAND—An analysis of the beginning of the modern history of England.  The course will study the important political, military, and religious developments in England from the reign of Henry VII through that of James II.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 616: MODERN ENGLAND—Basic developments in England since 1689 will be covered such as the development of cabinet government, sea power and empire, industrial power, and military victories. (3 sem. hours)

HIST 617: MODERN GERMANY—Germany’s drive for recognition as a world power, culminating in the horror of World War I, the failure of the Weimar Republic, and the rise of Hitler and the Nazis.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 618: RUSSIA IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY—A study of the forces producing the Communist Revolution in 1917 and the consequent domestic and foreign policies of Soviet Russia as a great power in the contemporary world.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 625: WOMEN IN U.S. HISTORY—An analysis of women from the earliest civilization to the 20^th century through the examination of the lives of ordinary and outstanding women from different levels in the social order. (3 sem. hours)

HIST 633: COLONIAL AMERICA, 1607-1763—Colonization of North America, with emphasis on the English heritage of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the diverse ethnic groups, the growth of imperial controls, and the sectional conflict that evolved by 1763.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 634: AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY ERA—Forces in Britain and in British America leading to political separation and the nemesis of a republic.  The bulk of the course will be concerned with changing and recent interpretations of the meaning of the Revolution.  (3 sem hours)

HIST 635: THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION—A study of the background causes, the political and military events of the war, and the period of reconstruction, with emphasis on the lasting impact of the war on the development of the American nation.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 636: THE AMERICAN WEST—Study of territorial expansion and westward movement of the American people from colonial times to 1890.  The advance of the American population from the Atlantic to the Pacific over a span of three centuries will be  considered, along with the results of the movement.  The Trans-Mississippi West will be given special emphasis.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 637: INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA—An inquiry into the history and culture of the Native Americans, Mesoamerica and the Arctic regions.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 638: AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY THROUGH 1865—This course will explore the significant constitutional issues and Supreme Court cases that permeate the history of the American colonies and later the United States through 1865.

HIST 639: AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY SINCE 1865—This course will explore the significant constitutional issues and Supreme Court cases that permeate the history of the United States since 1865.

HIST 643: HISPANIC AMERICAN HISTORY TO 1830—The political and social institutions of the colonial period which form a basis for modern Hispanic American culture and the rise of nationalism in Latin America.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 644: THE ABC POWERS AND MEXICO—The social, economic, and political development of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico since independence.  Coverage will be from 1830 with special emphasis on the 20^th century.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 666: TWENTIETH CENTURY AFRICA—A study of the struggle for independence from imperialism with special emphasis on the social, economic, and political conflicts (1948 to present).  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 686: CONTEMPORARY CHINA—This course will investigate recent events in and related to China.  Chinese culture will be examined as a background in which to place and access contemporary events.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 700: INDEPENDENT STUDY—(1-3 sem. hours)

HIST 710: SEMINAR IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE—Studies selected topics of the High Middle Ages such as the medieval church, Gothic art, rural society, religious life, and scholasticism.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 733: SEMINAR IN AMERICAN INDUSTRIALIZATION AND REFORM, 1887-1914—A study of the impact of industrialism on the social, political, and economic life of late 19^th and early 20^th century United States.  The emphasis will be on reforms and reformers of the Populist Progressive eras.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 734: SEMINAR IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY—Studies in depth of significant diplomatic crises in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 735: SEMINAR IN PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY—Emphasis on the frontier role in western Pennsylvania, population movements and composition, natural resources, and unique economic, political, and social developments.  (3 sem. hours)

HIST 750: HISTORY INTERNSHIP—Supervised placement and research in selected public and private agencies and appropriate institutions.  (3-6 sem. hours)

HIST 800: THESIS—To be selected by those students desiring to do a project or thesis in history or to satisfy the requirements for a seminar.  (3-6 sem. hours)