History

HIST 1111. Cathedrals, Castles, & Monasteries: Medieval Architecture and Engineering. 1 Hour.

This one-credit seminar introduces students to the fascinating and complicated world of medieval architecture and engineering.

HIST 1301. United States History I. 3 Hours.

This is a course that studies the historical development of the United States to 1877. Students will study the people, events, and ideas that influenced United States history in the Colonial, Revolutionary, Early National, Jacksonian, Civil War, and Reconstruction eras. Readings, lectures, and discussions will consider the American experience as a unique experiment in enlightened liberty and self-government.

HIST 1302. United States History II. 3 Hours.

This is a course on the historical development of the United States since 1877. Students will study the people, events, and ideas that influenced United States history in the Gilded Age, Progressive Era, Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, New Deal, Second World War, and Postwar Era. Readings, lectures, and discussions will consider the American experience as a unique experiment in enlightened liberty and self-government.

HIST 2321. World Civilization I. 3 Hours.

This course surveys world civilizations from the appearance of settled agricultural societies to the sixteenth century.

HIST 2322. World Civilization II. 3 Hours.

This course surveys the major political, cultural, economic, social, and intellectual developments from 1500 to the present.

HIST 305. Introduction to Public History. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to the vibrant world of historical study beyond the university classroom. Public historians work in museums, archives, libraries, historical societies, government agencies, and private-sector institutions. Students will learn about tools of public historians, including archival research, oral history, digital humanities, and more.

HIST 310. History of the Biblical World. 3 Hours.

This course surveys the historical and geographical context of the world depicted in the Christian Bible, primarily the Mediterranean world from the late 2nd millennium BCE through the early centuries of the common era. Students will study the peoples, places, ideas, and events that made this period foundational for later world history.

HIST 311. Augustus Caesar to Charlemagne: Europe in the First Millennium. 3 Hours.

This course examines the history of Europe from the birth of the Roman Empire under Augustus Caesar to the creation of Charlemagne's Empire in the ninth century. Along the way, we will discover how the Romans and their Germanic neighbors shaped the realm that was to become "Europe" and laid the foundation for the creation of the medieval world. Topics covered will include the origins of Christianity and Islam, the development of the Christian church, the creation of European kingship, the evolution of a European aristocracy, and the collapse of the Mediterranean economy.

HIST 312. Castles, Cathedrals, and Dragons: The European Middle Ages. 3 Hours.

Popular (mis)conceptions of the European Middle Ages are of a period awash in filth, superstition, and violence. While those aspects existed (as they do in all places and times), the course will broaden our understanding of this period to include a fuller range of intellectual, religious, social, cultural, and political changes during the time. These will include the creation of monarchies, constitutionalism, chivalry, and the rise of the Christian church.

HIST 314. Dante, Machiavelli, and Luther: Renaissance and Reformation. 3 Hours.

This course examines the history of Western Europe during the momentous period of the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries. This was a time of scientific advancement and superstitious violence, of religious expression and religious extremism. We will study intellectual, religious, social, cultural, and political changes during this time, including humanism, lay piety, and the rise of the ideology of the state.

HIST 320. Kings, Courtiers, and Samurai: Medieval Japan. 3 Hours.

This course surveys the history of Japan from the end of the Yamato kingdom until the advent of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603. Major themes will be the development of Japanese administrative institutions, a possible correlation with “feudalism” in Europe, as well as the organization of medieval Japanese society. We will rely on a variety of sources and mediums of study, including contemporary warrior tales, chronicles, and later materials such as film.

HIST 328. Colonial and Revolutionary America, 1492-1789. 3 Hours.

This course examines the development of the British colonies in North America through the eighteenth century, the American Revolution, and the establishment of the institutional foundations of the new American Republic during the Confederation period.

HIST 330. History of Nazi Germany. 3 Hours.

This course examines the social, economic, and political forces that led to the rise of the Nazi Party in the 1920's, its seizure of power in the 1930's, and its downfall in the 1940's after initiating a devastating world war. Students will analyze why so many Germans were drawn to Adolf Hitler's leadership. The course will also examine other topics such as anti-Semitism, the collapse of democratic Weimar Republic, World War II, and the Holocaust.

HIST 350. The History of the Vietnam War through Narrative Film. 3 Hours.

This course studies America's involvement in the Vietnam War from the 1940's to the 1970's and the legacy of the war in Southeast Asia and in America to the 21st century. Participants will study these events through lectures and discussions and through narrative films that provide a historical perspective of the war.

HIST 352. Europe, 1920 to the Present. 3 Hours.

This course is an interpretation of the far-flung events and movements of European history since the First World War. Special emphasis is placed on the rise of Communism, Fascism, Nazism, the Second World War, the Cold War, and recent developments in European history.

HIST 360. African American History. 3 Hours.

From the moment the first enslaved African set foot on this continent in 1619, the legacy of human chattel slavery has been America’s central source of internal conflict. This course will follow the ways in which American policy has reflected and reinforced ideas about the racial equality, as well as looking at the individuals and groups that fought for human rights. In addition to the political, we will explore the contributions of African Americans to the social systems, economy, and the culture of the United States. By tying current events and issues facing the black community to their historical context, students will learn to think critically about the role of race in American society.

HIST 370. American Women's History. 3 Hours.

This class will look at American history with women's experiences and contributions being centered rather than marginalized. We will revisit the traditional narrative of American history chronologically, weaving the stories of women throughout to understand their historical experiences of important and well-known events. In addition to an overview of women's roles in American History we will focus particularly on the struggles of women activists who fought for social change. Each of the waves of feminism will be placed in their historical context, showing the challenges activists faced and the way in which intersections of race, gender, and sexuality played out as they fought for women's equality.

HIST 380. Postcolonial Africa. 3 Hours.

This course will look at historical developments in Africa over the course of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, focusing on the Sub-Saharan Africa. We will follow the political, social, economic, and cultural changes wrought by colonialism and learn how they have affected the development of the sub-continent. The first part of the class will follow the colonization process, as the European powers fought for power in the scramble for Africa. Next, we will look at the rise of the African nationalist movements and the subsequent struggles that led to the decolonization of African nations in the 20th century. Finally, we will study the postcolonial states, looking at how their modern conflicts, crises, and challenges reflect aspects of their colonial past.

HIST 416. Sex, Swords, & Sorcery: The Medieval World in Anglo-American Film. 3 Hours.

The Medieval World has been fascinating audiences of cinema since the earliest days of Hollywood. From figures such as King Arthur and Robin Hood to settings such as Camelot and England, film-makers have remade the Middle Ages to suit their own interests and ideals. This course allows students to view and analyze a number of films about the medieval period and medieval characters in order to better understand how and why we consistently re-imagine the Middle Ages.

HIST 419. American Social and Intellectual History. 3 Hours.

This course is a survey of the social and intellectual currents and ideas that influence and inform the American people.

HIST 428. The United States in the Twentieth Century. 3 Hours.

This course develops an understanding of the various forces that influence contemporary society. The major themes of industrialization and international involvement provide the framework within which modern America emerges on the world scene.

HIST 434. The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1850-1877. 3 Hours.

This course examines the political, social, and constitutional origins of the American Civil War; military, political, and social history during the war years; and the reconstruction of the Southern States.

HIST 440. Introduction to Local and Regional History. 3 Hours.

History happens everywhere. While the histories of nations and well-known figures dominate our textbooks, the history of local places and people is often just as compelling. Students will learn how to research topics of local and regional importance.

HIST 445. The World of King Arthur and Robin Hood. 3 Hours.

This course examines the history of the British Isles through two of its most popular figures- King Arthur and Robin Hood. Students will study the settings for each figure- the early medieval period for the “historical” Arthur, the high medieval period of the “literary” Arthur, and the late medieval period for Robin Hood.

HIST 450. Latin America-The Colonial Era. 3 Hours.

This course is a survey of the social, economic, political, and religious forces that shaped Latin America through the independence movements of the nineteenth century.

HIST 451. Modern Latin America. 3 Hours.

This course will study the major historical developments of Latin America since the beginning of the nineteenth century and provide students with a general history of Latin America.

HIST 453. Voices of the Spanish Conquest in the Americas. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the Spanish conquests of the Americas fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Students will read a variety of primary documents and peer-reviewed texts to examine how Spanish conquests in the Americas shaped the social, economic, political, and religious development of Latin America.

HIST 454. The Culture and History of Mexico. 3 Hours.

This course surveys the major political, cultural, economic, social, and intellectual developments of Mexico from Pre-Columbian times to the present, and examines how Mexicans today interpret and celebrate their rich and diverse heritage.

HIST 460. Cultural History of Texas. 3 Hours.

This course is a study of the historical, political, and economic forces that have shaped the cultural identity of Texas from Native American prehistory through the Spanish conquest, republic independence, statehood, confederacy, and reconstruction to a major role in the emergence of the New South and the new economy.

HIST 462. Modern German History. 3 Hours.

This course examines the history of the German people from the unification process in the 19th century through dramatic history of war and reconstruction in the 20th century.

HIST 470. Twentieth Century Asia. 3 Hours.

This course is a survey of major political, social, and cultural forces that have shaped the history of Asia in the Twentieth Century.

HIST 489. Individual Study. 1-3 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.

HIST 490. Internship (EL). 3 Hours.

The history internship offers students an opportunity to work in the Texarkana Museum System. Students will participate in a variety of tasks which will provide them an introduction to museum and archival work. To enroll, students must be History or Education majors, have an overall grade point average of 2.75 or higher, and have completed 15 SCH of college history courses with a grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Only currently enrolled students who are seeking a degree may apply for the internship course.

HIST 497. Special Topics. 3 Hours.

Instructors will provide an organized class designed to cover areas of specific interest. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.

HIST 500. Historiography. 3 Hours.

Historiography is the study of the principles, theory, and history of historical writing. The first half of this course examines historiography in the broadest sense of the word, with students reading about different perspectives and schools of analysis. The second half of this course focuses on historiography in its narrower sense, requiring students to research a variety of approaches, methods, and interpretations employed by historians on a particular topic. Based on their historiographic and bibliographic research of a selected topic, students are required to write a paper.

HIST 501. Methods and Principals of Historical Research. 3 Hours.

This course examines the methodology of historical research. Participants will research and write a paper on a selected topic.

HIST 505. Public History. 3 Hours.

Students in this course will apply the tools of the historian in developing their own research projects in public history. They will conduct appropriate research and will present their findings.

HIST 510. Knights and Samurai: Medieval Warrior Cultures. 3 Hours.

Warrior elites are common in the history of human societies, especially during the medieval period of Europe and Japan. Students will study the ideological, social, cultural, religious, and political influences on the development of these cultures and will gain an understanding of how they developed, flourished, and decayed.

HIST 520. Readings in the History of Colonial American. 3 Hours.

Students will read books, write reviews, and critically evaluate research in the history of Colonial America.

HIST 525. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. 3 Hours.

This course will focus on the Roman Empire and its neighbors in the Mediterranean world from the first through eight centuries A.D. Topics will include the conflict between paganism and Christianity, Constantine's conversion of classical culture, Rome and the barbarians, the military collapse of the western empire, asceticism and monasticism, women in late antiquity, and the origins of Islam. All of these topics will be considered within the framework of the end of the Roman empire, though students will have great latitude to develop research projects covering any topic within the period and scope of the course.

HIST 530. Readings in the History of the American Civil War. 3 Hours.

Students will read books, write reviews, and critically evaluate research in the political, social, and military history of the American Civil War.

HIST 535. Crusades, Councils, and King Arthur: Europe in 1215. 3 Hours.

1215 was a seminal year in the history of Europe. Three broad trends in medieval history and culture all reached a confluence around this date: the signing of the Magna Carta, the Fourth Lateran Council, the crusading movement, and the writing of the Lancelot-Grail cycle. Students will examine how each of these events came to be in their effects. This will allow careful study of medieval governance and law for both kings and the medieval church, as well as the development of medieval culture and literature.

HIST 542. Research in Local and Regional History. 3 Hours.

Students will design, conduct, and present a research project based on local and/or regional history.

HIST 550. The Vietnam War. 3 Hours.

Students will read books, write reviews, and critically evaluate research in the political, social, and military history of the Vietnam War.

HIST 551. African American History. 3 Hours.

The experiences of African Americans are essential to the story of America, yet they have been marginalized in the past. In this class, we will focus on restoring these perspectives to American History.

HIST 552. Civil Rights History. 3 Hours.

The civil rights movement is often viewed as monolithic, but it was the work of many different people with different ideological approaches that animated it. From North to South, from non-violence to militance, from famous figures to ordinary people, students will learn about this rich period of American History. Prerequisite: HIST 551.

HIST 555. American History and American Films. 3 Hours.

Students study how American films can be used to better understand American history and how some films have influenced American history.

HIST 565. History of Early Texas and the U.S.-Mexican War. 3 Hours.

Through selected readings, students in this course study the social, economic, and political history of Mexican Texas, the Texas Republic, and the U.S.-Mexican War.

HIST 570. Popes, Paupers, and Heretics: The Christian Church in the Middle Ages. 3 Hours.

The Christian church was one of the most important forces in the shaping of medieval Europe. This course will allow students to study the medieval church from a variety of perspectives. Topics covered will include rise of the Papacy, the develoment of monasticism, the office of the bishop, lay, piety, religious literature, and the codification of canon law and religious dogma. Students will learn that, far from the monolithic institution so often caricatured in later accounts, the medieval church was a vibrant institution, rife with internal arguments and tensions.

HIST 571. Latin American History thru Films. 3 Hours.

The course examines Latin American history through cinema. It will provide background on certain historical events and analyze how films have portrayed and interpreted such events. To enhance analysis of the screened films, the assigned readings play an important role in the course.

HIST 572. Colonial Spanish American. 3 Hours.

This course examines the social, economic, political, and religious forces that shaped colonial Latin America. Special emphasis will be given to the era of encounter and conquest, with later colonial eras examined in the second half of the course.

HIST 573. Readings in Mexican History. 3 Hours.

Students read a variety of materials to examine the social, cultural, economic, and political history of Mexico.

HIST 580. Asian History. 3 Hours.

Readings in the history of 20th century Asia study some of the religious, cultural, social, and political issues that influence 20th century Asian history. Students are required to read four books with sufficient proficiency to write an intellectually sound analysis. For three of the books, students will make an oral presentation and respond to class questions. Students will participate in colloquia in which their colleagues read books on similar topics. The goal is that all of the participants will have sufficient knowledge of a topic to inspire spirited verbal sparring in class. Class contributions will be evaluated.

HIST 589. Individual Study. 3 Hours.

This course provides individual instruction. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.

HIST 590. Internship (EL). 3 Hours.

The history internship offers students an opportunity to work in fields of study associated with a master's degree in history. Students will participate in a variety of tasks which will provide them an introduction to fields of work in history.

HIST 597. Special Topics. 3 Hours.

Instructors will provide an organized class designed to cover areas of specific interest. Students may repeat the course when topics vary.

HIST 599. Thesis. 1-6 Hours.

A master's thesis is the written result of a thorough and systematic study of an important issue. The thesis identifies the issue, tackles significant assumptions in a critical field, explains the contribution to the field, and offers a conclusion. The thesis must investigate an original problem, demonstrate critical thinking, exhibit appropriate organization, and provide thorough documentation. An oral defense of the thesis is required. NOTE: Students may take no more than 6 semester credit hours in Thesis.