Dr. Jay Rickman, Head of Department
Room 1104, Ashley Hall
The Department of History offers a graduate program that leads to the Master of Arts degree with a major in history. The graduate major in the Department of History is designed to provide students with advanced instruction and training, and courses are available in the history of the United States, Europe, Latin America, the modern Middle East, and the Ancient World. The program also equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values required for professional careers in history and gives qualified students the foundation for doctoral study in history.
History’s scope is extremely broad, and the study of people and their institutions form a particular focus of the discipline. The use of language and the ability to communicate skillfully also are major concerns of history. Thus, advanced study in history prepares students for many different occupations and professions in which such qualities are essential. Traditionally, teaching has been a career possibility, but, as well, qualified recipients of the Master of Arts with a major in history are prepared to enter doctoral programs; to seek employment in business or government, in museums and libraries, in publishing, journalism, and advertising; or to enter the military, politics, or theology. An advanced degree in history continues to be excellent preparation for business school or law school.
Students who are interested in the Master of Arts or who have questions about the vocational possibilities of the major should consult with the History Department faculty in Ashley Hall.
HIST 5030. Special Topics in History. 3 Hours.
Special Topics.
HIST 5040. Special Topics in History. 3 Hours.
Special Topics.
HIST 5050. Special Topics in History. 3 Hours.
Selected themes of historical and contemporary interest. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
HIST 5060. Special Topics in History. 3 Hours.
Selected themes of historical and contemporary interest.
HIST 5070. Special Topics in History. 3 Hours.
Selected themes of historical and contemporary interest. May be repeated for credit if topics are different.
HIST 5080. Special Topics in History. 3 Hours.
Selected themes of historical and contemporary interest.
HIST 5090. Special Topics in History. 3 Hours.
Selected themes of historical and contemporary interest.
HIST 5120. History of Cuisine and Culture. 3 Hours.
Overview of food and human society from early human civilization to the modern era. The course will emphasize changes is food production and consumption as well as the development of ethnic and cultural differences in cuisine.
HIST 5201. The Ancient Near East. 3 Hours.
The history of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia with emphasis on political structures, social institutions, and cultural developments.
HIST 5202. Hellenistic Greece and Rome. 3 Hours.
A study of Mediterranean civilizations from the era of Alexander the Great through the fall of the Roman Empire. Greco-Roman contributions to western cultural traditions will be emphasized.
HIST 5203. Renaissance and Reformation. 3 Hours.
A study of the cultural, intellectual, and religious life of Europe in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.
HIST 5205. Europe in the Age of Louis XIV, 1648-1750. 3 Hours.
A study of major trends in European history from the peace of Westphalia to the Enlightenment. Cultural, social, and political achievements of European countries will be stressed.
HIST 5206. Revolutionary Europe, 1750-1815. 3 Hours.
A study of major developments in Europe from the Enlighten- ment through the defeat of Napoleon. The impact of the French Revolution will be emphasized.
HIST 5207. Europe, 1815-1914. 3 Hours.
A survey of the leading developments of the period in, Europe, including social and nationalistic trends. Emphasis is placed on factors leading to World War I.
HIST 5208. Europe, 1914-1945. 3 Hours.
A survey of the lost generation living in a society broken and disillusioned by World War I.
HIST 5209. Europe Since 1945. 3 Hours.
A study of European domestic and international affairs since 1945 with emphasis upon the major states.
HIST 5220. Medieval Civilization. 3 Hours.
Survey of medieval society, politics, and culture from the disintegration of the Roman Empire to the first currents of the Renaissance and Reformation. The course will emphasize the great diversity of medieval Europe, where varied traditions of government, piety, social relations, intellectual life, and economic systems evolved and collided.
HIST 5230. Byzantine Empire and Society. 3 Hours.
Examination of the historical development of imperial Rome's eastern successor between the foundation of Constantinople in 330 and the fall of the city to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. The course will focus on the political, ideological, and cultural features of Byzantine civilization as a synthesis of ancient and medieval models. Key topics will include the legacy of the west, changing social structures, external military pressure, and diverse religious traditions.
HIST 5240. The Crusades. 3 Hours.
Examination of the origin and development of the Crusades between the eleventh and the sixteenth centuries. The course will examine the theoretical foundations of crusading, the diverse character of the crusading movement, and the evolving geographic scope of the movement's objectives.
HIST 5250. Power and Community in Medieval Europe. 3 Hours.
Introduction to key concepts of public authority and social order that dominated medieval mentalities and affected political and cultural practices in Europe between the sixth and the sixteenth centuries. The course examines a range of ideas such as state, rulership, justice, sovereignty, liberty, divine power, and their practical expression.
HIST 5260. Saints and Society in the Middle Ages. 3 Hours.
History of the medieval cult of saints, its theology, practices and political effects from late Antiquity to the fifteenth century. The course will focus on evolving understandings of sanctity, diverse models of holiness, the social function of shrines and relics, and the institutionalization of cults and saints.
HIST 5270. Culture and Ethnicity in Pre-Modern East Europe. 3 Hours.
An examination of the multitude of cultural, religious, and ethnic identities within Eastern Europe, with a special focus on Poland, Bohemia and Russia, from the 15th to the late 18th centuries. This course will explore the close relations between those identities and the diversity of original political traditions in the region.
HIST 5280. War and Romance in the Middle Ages. 3 Hours.
An examination of the socio-political aspects of medieval warfare and medieval understanding of love and romance as powerful forces shaping people's religious and social experience, often in a parallel dimension to violence and bloodshed. The spiritual approach to violence, new models of masculine prowess, and the moral code of warfare and carnal desires flamboyantly displayed in chivalric culture and courtly love will also be studied.
HIST 5401. Slavic Europe to 1815. 3 Hours.
History of Slavic Europe from the early middle ages to the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The course will examine the history of Russian and other Slavic peoples with an emphasis on political, religious, social, and economic developments.
HIST 5402. Slavic Europe Since 1815. 3 Hours.
History of Slavic Europe from 1815 to the present. The course will examine the history of Russian and other Slavic peoples in the modern period.
HIST 5500. German History, 1700-1945. 3 Hours.
An in-depth survey of German history from the rise of Brandenburg-Prussia to the fall of Nazi Germany. Topic areas covered include social, political, intellectual, cultural, diplomatic, and gender history.
HIST 5601. World Military History to 1618. 3 Hours.
Overview of major developments in military history to 1618. The course examines changes in military strategy, technology, and organization with a focus on comparing systems in different regions and time periods.
HIST 5602. World Military History Since 1618. 3 Hours.
Overview of major developments in military history since 1618 and the outbreak of the Thirty Years War. The course examines changes in military strategy, technology, and organization with a focus on comparing systems in different regions and time periods.
HIST 5700. History Content for Teaching World History Surveys. 3 Hours.
A survey of the social, cultural, economic, and political development of the world from the beginning of civilization to the present.
HIST 6100. United States Constitutional History. 3 Hours.
Development of American constitutionalism from its origins in England and colonies to the present time.
HIST 6101. American Legal History. 3 Hours.
History of American Law from colonial times to the present. The course will examine developments in American legal history, especially the relationship between social and legal change in such areas as criminal law, the law of slavery, and private law, particularly at the state level. The course also examines the development of such legal institutions as the bench and bar and legal education.
HIST 6198. Colonial North America to 1763. 3 Hours.
Study of major themes in colonial history in North America to 1763. The course will examine such themes as the origins of European colonization, the development of slavery, gender and race relations, religion and society, the imperial struggle for North America, and intercultural relations among Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans.
HIST 6199. Revolutionary America, 1763-1789. 3 Hours.
Study of the American Revolutionary Era from the end of the Seven Years War to the ratification of the Constitution. The course examines political, economic, cultural, social, and military history of the period with special emphasis on race and gender relations, the origins of American identity, the War for Independence, and the drafting and ratification of the Constitution.
HIST 6202. United States, 1789-1850. 3 Hours.
A study of United States history from the Washington administration through the Compromise of 1850, focusing on political, cultural, social, and economic developments.
HIST 6203. United States, 1850-1877. 3 Hours.
A study of the United States history from the Compromise of 1850 to the end of Reconstruction. Focuses on the sectional crisis fo the 1850s, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction process after the war.
HIST 6204. United States, 1877-1921. 3 Hours.
A study of United States history from the end of Reconstruction to the end of the Wilson administration. Emphasizes diplomatic, ethnic, cultural, political, and social developments.
HIST 6205. United States, 1921-1945. 3 Hours.
A study of United States history from the end of World War I to the end on World War II. Focuses on the "Roaring '20s," the Great Depression, and U.S. involvement in World War II.
HIST 6206. United States Since 1945. 3 Hours.
A study of United States history since World War II with emphasis on political, cultural, social, and economic dev- elopments and the nation's foreign relations.
HIST 6207. United States Diplomacy to 1921. 3 Hours.
A study of United States foreign relations from the Revolutionary period through 1921.
HIST 6208. United States Diplomacy Since 1921. 3 Hours.
A study of the United States foreign relations since 1921.
HIST 6209. The United States in the 1980's. 3 Hours.
Survey of the history on the United States in the 1980's. The course will provide students with a broad understanding of the major social, political, cultural, and economic trends and developments during the period.
HIST 6210. History of Georgia. 3 Hours.
A comprehensive survey of Georgia's development from the occupation by the earliest Indians to the present. Satisfies the Georgia History legislative requirements.
HIST 6211. Georgia History through 1865. 3 Hours.
A study of Georgia's history from the occupation by the earliest Indians through the Civil War, with attention to the state's development in its regional, national, and international context. Satisfies Georgia history legislative requirement.
HIST 6212. Georgia History since 1865. 3 Hours.
A study of Georgia's history from the Civil War to the present, with attention to the state's development in its regional, national, and international context. Satisfies Georgia history legislative requirement.
HIST 6215. Introduction to Public History. 3 Hours.
An introduction to the foundational concepts, methods, professional opportunities, and challenges in public history. Course provides the basic knowledge required in museum studies, historic preservation, cultural resources management, and related fields, and emphasizes issues related to communicating about history to the general public.
HIST 6216. Principles of Public History. 3 Hours.
An exploration of public history leading concepts in the discipline, with opportunities for hands-on experience. The course includes historic preservation, object collections management, museum studies, exhibit design, historical tourism, archival management, and related fields. Course highlights graduate school and career paths for public history students.
HIST 6221. The Old South. 3 Hours.
A detailed study of the social, economic, cultural, and intellectual life of the colonial and antebellum South, with consideration of the influence of slavery.
HIST 6222. The New South. 3 Hours.
A history of the South since the Civil War, with special attention to the political, social, economic, and cultural developments, as well as the problems of southern blacks after emancipation.
HIST 6225. History of the American West. 3 Hours.
History of the American West from Spanish colonial times to the present. The course will consider economic, social, political, and cultural developments of the region.
HIST 6226. Colonial South. 3 Hours.
A study of the American South in colonial times, with special emphasis on the Deep South. The course will examine the interaction of African, English, French, Native American, and Spanish cultures.
HIST 6227. History of American Sport. 3 Hours.
An examination of the history of American sports, their cultural context, and how cultures and sport have acted on each other.
HIST 6231. African American History to 1865. 3 Hours.
The history of African-Americans from their origin in Africa to the end of slavery in the U.S., with emphasis on their economic life and social thought.
HIST 6232. African American History Since 1865. 3 Hours.
The history of the African-American struggle for equality after emancipation, with special focus on the problems of black leadership from Frederick Douglass to the present.
HIST 6233. African American Cultural History. 3 Hours.
An examination of the evolution of African American cultural expression from slavery to the present, emphasizing in particular literature, theater, visual art, film, and music.
HIST 6234. African American Intellectual History. 3 Hours.
An examination of the intellectual history of African Americans from the 17th century to the present. Topics may include the role of black intellectuals in American society, changing conceptions of race, and the global context of African American thought.
HIST 6235. Nazi Germany and the Jim Crow South. 3 Hours.
A comparative analysis of racial theory and practices in both the Jim Crow South and Nazi Germany in the first half of the 1900's.
HIST 6240. American Social History. 3 Hours.
Analysis of the major trends in religion, culture, social structures, and social groups in the United States from the Colonial Era until the present. Particular attention is paid to the experiences of the various ethnic groups making up the American people.
HIST 6241. Native American History to 1850. 3 Hours.
Overview of Native American history in North America from the earliest human occupation of the continent in 1850. The course examines the economic, cultural, diplomatic, military and social history of Native Americans including the development and implementation of Indian policies by non-natives.
HIST 6242. Native American History Since 1850. 3 Hours.
Overview of Native American history in North America since 1850. The course examines the economic, cultural, diplomatic, military, and social history of Native Americans including the development and implementation of United States Indian policy.
HIST 6243. Native People in the American Southeast. 3 Hours.
A study of the native peoples in the southeastern United States from prehistory to Removal. The course will emphasize social and cultural changes as well as relationships among native groups.
HIST 6261. Women in the U.S. to 1869. 3 Hours.
A study of United States history from the perspective of women. Includes social, cultural, political, intellectual, and economic aspects of the nation's history, and more specifically, the ways women influenced and were in- fluenced by various events and movements in U.S. history from the Colonial period to 1869.
HIST 6262. Women in the U.S., 1869 to the Present. 3 Hours.
A study of United States history from the perspective of women. Includes social, cultural, political, intellectual, and economic aspects of the nation's history, more specifically, the ways women influenced and were influenced by various events and movements in U.S. history from 1869 to the present.
HIST 6290. U.S. Military History. 3 Hours.
A study of military experiences and issues in American history from the Colonial Era to the present. The course analyzes war, its economic issues, technological developments, politics, and other factors that have influenced military aspects of American history.
HIST 6291. U.S. Political History to 1877. 3 Hours.
A study of U.S. political history to 1877. Special emphasis will be placed on national elections and the parties and issues that have influenced American political history.
HIST 6292. U.S. Political History Since 1877. 3 Hours.
A study of U.S. political history from 1877 to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on national elections and the parties and issues that have influenced American political history.
HIST 6295. Environmental History. 3 Hours.
Overview of environmental history with particular emphasis on North America. The course will examine human impact of the environment from the earliest to the present as well as the development of conservation policies and the environmental movement.
HIST 6296. History of Contemporary Issues in the U.S.. 3 Hours.
Overview of the longer term historical background of selected contemporary issues in the United States. The course will examine current political, social, cultural, and economic issues and problems including terrorism, economic conditions, and civil rights and liberties.
HIST 6301. Colonial Latin America. 3 Hours.
The founding, growth, and development of Latin America by Spain and Portugal to the wars of independence.
HIST 6302. Modern Latin America. 3 Hours.
Major historical trends in Latin America since the wars of independence.
HIST 6303. U. S. Spanish Borderlands. 3 Hours.
A study of the history of Spanish North America and its influence on the history of the United States and Native Americans, 1513 to 1850. Special emphasis will be placed on the region's diversity of peoples and intercultural relations as well as aspects of social, cultural, economic, imperial, and military history.
HIST 6404. History of the Vietnam War. 3 Hours.
An exploration of the many interrelated aspects of the conflict in Vietnam. Topics include French colonization, Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese nationalism, the 1946-1954 war between the French and Vietminh, the Cold War policies of the United States, escalating United States intervention in Vietnam, the United State's war in Vietnam (1965-1973), the fall of Saigon, domestic opposition to the war within the U.S.A., and postwar legacies of the conflict.
HIST 6501. History of the Middle East to 1798. 3 Hours.
Overview of the political, religious, and cultural history of the Middle East from the beginning of the Islamic era to Napoleon's invasion of Egypt.
HIST 6502. History of the Middle East Since 1798. 3 Hours.
Overview of the history of the Middle East in the modern period. The course examines the development of modern states, the effects of imperialism, the impact of World War I and II, and the results of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
HIST 6700. History Content for Teaching U. S. History Surveys. 3 Hours.
A survey of the social, cultural, economic, and political development of the United States from the beginning of civilization to the present.
HIST 6810. Internship in History. 3-9 Hours.
Supervised practical experience related to the discipline of history in an appropriate agency, combined with a program of academic work. The number of credit hours granted is dependent on the nature of the program, the hours worked, and the academic program approved in advance. A maximum of 6 hours will be awarded for HIST 6810. (Graded on satisfac- tory/unsatisfactory basis.).
HIST 7000. Seminar in Historiography. 3 Hours.
A seminar focusing on the history of historical writing from the ancient world to the present. Topics covered include major themes, schools of thought, methods of research, and the writings of influential historians.
HIST 7101. Seminars in United States History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in the history of the United States.
HIST 7102. Seminars in United States History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in the history of the United States.
HIST 7103. Seminars in United States History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in the history of the United States.
HIST 7104. Seminars in United States History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in United States history.
HIST 7201. Seminars in British History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in British history.
HIST 7202. Seminars in British History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in English history.
HIST 7301. Seminars in European History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in European history.
HIST 7302. Seminars in European History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in European history.
HIST 7303. Seminars in European History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in European history.
HIST 7401. Seminars in Latin American History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in Latin American history.
HIST 7402. Seminars in Latin American History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in Latin American history.
HIST 7501. Seminars in Asian History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in Asian history.
HIST 7502. Seminars in Asian History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in Asian history.
HIST 7600. Seminar in African History. 3 Hours.
Seminar on selected topics in African history.
HIST 7700. Seminar in Middle Eastern History. 3 Hours.
Seminar on selected topics in Middle Eastern history.
HIST 7800. Seminar in Women's History. 3 Hours.
Seminar on selected topics in Women's history.
HIST 7901. Seminars in World History. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in World history.
HIST 7902. Seminars in World history. 3 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in World history.
HIST 7950. Directed Study in History. 3 Hours.
Supervised readings in areas of history not normally available in regular graduate course offerings, with regular conferences between instructor and student. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit if topics are different.
HIST 7970. Libraries and Literacy in History. 3 Hours.
An exploration of the development of reading, writing and information managment from the proto-literate stages of the ancient Near East to the present computer age. Intellectual foundations of research and librarianship will be emphasised in their historical contexts.
HIST 7999. Thesis. 3-6 Hours.
Thesis.
