HISTORY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS for courses taught on campus and through Distance Education faculty (DDE). For current Distance Education offerings, please go to the DDE homepage.

The following information reflects proposed changes in the history curriculum and will take effect Fall 2008.

HIST 101- Western Civ to 1500 *S/HB Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
Surveys the history of Western Civilization from the Neolithic Revolution to the Reformation. Includes the political and economic development of cities and early states, and the birth and influence of religion and culture in the Near East, Europe and the Mediterranean.

HIST 102- Western Civ since 1500 *S/HB Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
Surveys the history of Western Civilization from the Reformation to the Present. Includes the development of modern states and economies, the dynamics of revolution, new ideas of science and society, and the problems of war.

HIST 110- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00
Study in depth of a selected topic.

HIST 111 - World History to 1500 *S/HB Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior

Surveys world history from Neolithic times to the Columbian Exchange. Includes the development of Eurasian empires in India, China, Africa and Persia; the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism in Central and East Asia; the growth of Islam; the effects of Mongol conquest; and the relationship of early Western civilization to Asia and Africa.

HIST 112 - World History since 1500 *S/HB Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior

Surveys world history from the Columbian Exchange to the Present. Includes the development of modern nation states and economies; the effects of European colonialism and imperialism; revolution and change in Africa and Asia; the global development of science and technology; and the issue of war in the modern world.

HIST 201- US History*S/HB Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
Topics in American history to the present. Includes study of the Constitution.

HIST 202- US History*S/HB Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
Topics in American history to the present. Includes study of the Constitution.

HIST 203- US History*S/HB Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
Topics in American history to the present. Includes study of the Constitution.

HIST 210- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00

HIST 211- Traditional Asia
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
Survey of the major centers of world civilization in traditional Asia (India, China, Japan, Korea) and their historical development. Topics will include political and economic history, major belief systems (Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism), social history, and popular and high culture. Particular emphasis shall be placed on cultural interaction and mutual development between civilizations.

HIST 212- Modern East Asia in Film
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Human Behavior
Survey of modern East Asian history with special consideration to the cinema of the region. Topics include major historical trends and events such as Western imperialism, modernity, World War II, social and cultural change, and traditional culture.

HIST 304- Hist of England Credits: 5.00
Parliament, Imperialism and Industrialization as specifically English or British developments, and their subsequent influence on other nations. Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

HIST 310- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00

HIST 314 - The Great Depression Credits: 5.00
The Great Depression of the 1930s is often described as a period of great turbulence in American culture. If indeed this is so, what was the nature of the upheaval? Why did it occur? What legacies did this period establish for today's society? Using a variety of source material, we will evaluate the evidence and assess the effects of a profoundly important historical moment. Please note that particular emphasis is placed on the development of research and critical thinking skills.

HIST 320 - The Celts Credits: 5.00
This course is a unique exploration into the rich history of the Celts from their early beginnings to the present day.  It is unique because it is tailored to your personal study & research interests --- allowing you the fullest opportunity for discovery.  It is hoped that by the end of the course you will have minimally learned and more fully appreciated the origins, geography, language, art, literature, mythology, and religion of the Celts.

HIST 321- Ancient World Credits: 5.00
Beginning with an introduction on the rise, progress, and fall of the Near Eastern empires, the course focuses on classical Greece and achievements of Hellenistic culture, and the political history and institutions of the Roman Republic and Empire. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

HIST 325 - History of Christianity Credits: 5.00
This course will explore the global history of Christianity from its early beginnings to the present day. Throughout our study, we will give special attention to the major figures, events, literature, beliefs, institutions, circumstances, and controversies, which shaped the church and how they have impacted its development.

HIST 327 - Medieval Ireland: Land of Saints Credits: 5.00
This course will examine the history of early Medieval Ireland from its prehistory up to the 12th century. During our study, we will explore the nature of the Celtic peoples, their acceptance of the Christian faith, the role of  Saint Patrick and the Celtic Saints, the development of the "Celtic/Irish Church,"conflicts with the vikings & Anglo-Normans, and Ireland's influence in shaping later Medieval Europe.

HIST 328 - The Vikings Credits: 5.00
This course is a unique exploration into the rich history of the Vikings. It is unique because it is tailored to your personal study & research interests--allowing you the fullest opportunity for discovery. It is hoped that by the end of the course you will have minimally learned and more fully appreciated the origins, diaspora, culture, marauding, art, literature, mythology, and religion of the Viking peoples.

HIST 330 - U.S. Women's History Credits: 5.00, Writing Intensive

Overview of women's experiences and roles in U.S. history from the colonial period to the present. In-depth focus will be on culture, politics, and work from the mid-nineteenth century to late twentieth century.

HIST 338 - Comp Frontier Cultures Credits: 5.00
This course explores the idea of 'the frontier' in the cultures of the American and Canadian west, as an inquiry into how this notion has evolved differently on each side of the border from the seventeenth through the twentieth centuries. We will emphasize social history themes (gender roles, the family, community, race) as these are illuminated through different aspects of pioneer life and sectors of frontier industry. We will sustain a particular focus on native / white interactions.

HIST 340- HOW-Family Pre-Indst Era*S/AH Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Aesthetics & Hum
Provides a historical overview of the history of women from Antiquity through the Protestant Reformation. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

HIST 341- HOW-Women’s Mvmnt Mod Era*S/AH Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
New Gen Ed-Aesthetics & Hum
An examination of the changing concepts of women’s roles and women’s rights in the domestic and public spheres.

HIST 352 - The Sixties Credits: 5.00
The Sixties are often described as a period of great turbulence in American culture. If indeed this is so, what was the nature of the upheaval? Why did it occur? What legacies did this period establish for today's society? Using a variety of source material, we will evaluate the evidence and assess the effects of a profoundly important historical moment. Please note that particular emphasis is placed on the development of research and critical thinking skills.

HIST 360- Military History Credits: 3.00
Evolution of warfare including the principles of war. Overview of American military history with emphasis on World War II. Impact of various revolutions (democratic, industrial, mechanical, scientific) on warfare. Crosslisted with Military Science MS 202.

HIST 401- Research Credits: 1.00 TO 5.00
(Writing Intensive) Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 403- Thesis Credits: 5.00
(Capstone) Major research paper demonstrating mastery of historical methodologies, use of primary as well as secondary sources. Prerequisite:

HIST 407 and 420. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 405- HIST 405 Credits: 1.00 TO 5.00
(Writing Intensive) Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 407- Seminar Credits: 1.00 TO 15.00
Prerequisite: HIST 420. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 410- Selected Topics Credits: 1.00 TO 6.00
Directed studies in restricted historical topics. Students will be limited to 15 hours of topical studies as applied to 50 hours of major requirement. Prerequisite: Upper division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 420- Historiography Credits: 5.00
Ideas and basic writings of great historians. Experience in original research and the historical process. Required of history majors. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 421- Medieval Europe Credits: 5.00
Social, political, economic, and religious developments in Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire in the west to the period of the Renaissance in the late fourteenth century. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 425 - History of Modern Science Credits: 5.00
History 425 offers an introduction to the history of the sciences roughly between the times of Isaac Newton in the late seventeenth century and Albert Einstein in the early twentieth. The course attempts to place science in the framework of modern culture and especially in Western Society.  Among the topics emphasized is the idea of the scientific method and methods of experimentation.  Specific subjects will include the foundations of modern science including gravity, chemistry, energy, evolution and the emergence of particle physics.

HIST 427- Renais/Reform Europe Credits: 5.00
Social, political, economic, and religious developments in Europe from the fourteenth to the seventeenth centuries, with special attention given to the short and long range intellectual impact of Renaissance and Reformation ideas upon the history of Western Civilization. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 433- French Rev & Napoleon Credits: 5.00
A study of the origins of the Revolution from the reign of Louis XIV to the dissolution of the Old Regime in the revolutions of 1789 and 1792, the reign of terror, subsequent reaction, and the rule and conquests of Napoleon. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 437- Hist Modern Germany Credits: 5.00
A study of various German states concentrating on Prussia and its unification of Germany under Bismarck, pressures in the new Reich leading to the great War, the Weimar Republic, Hitler’s Reich, the redivision of Germany after 1945, and its subsequent reunification. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 444 - History of the Pacific NW Credits: 5.00
History 444 is designed to provide the student with a broad overview of the historical events in the modern Pacific Northwest of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, as well as their causes.  The goal of this course is to acquaint students with major events of the region, their chronology and stimulate creative and critical thought about the history of Pacific Northwest.

HIST 448- Hist Modern Russia Credits: 5.00
Social, political, and economic history of Russia and its empire from the emancipation of the serfs through the rise and fall of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of the old Russian empire Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 458- Civil War/Reconstruction Credits: 5.00
Slavery, the Old South, sectional conflict, Civil War, the Reconstruction era through 1877, the consequences of Reconstruction. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 460- Amer Constit Hst*S Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Social Science
The origins and development of the Constitution of the United States and major issues in the interpretation of the Constitution up to the present. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 465 – Environmental History Credits: 5:00
History 465 will introduce environmental history as an academic discipline.  The course will emphasize the study of people in their environment through time.  The course will also examine how people have responded to environmental changes including the human induced changes.  Given the potential scope of the topic this course will cover selected topics, specifically the American experience in North America with a special emphasis on the Pacific Northwest.  The goal of this course is to acquaint students with major events and ideas about the topic, to stimulate creative and critical thought about environmental history and the human history in the Pacific Northwest.

HIST 478- History of Oregon Credits: 5.00
The native peoples of Oregon, European contacts and settlement, and the development of Oregon society, culture, and politics to the present. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 480- Hist US 1900-1945 Credits: 5.00
Social, cultural, diplomatic, and political topics. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 481- US Since World War II Credits: 5.00
Diplomatic, social, cultural, and political topics in recent American history. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

HIST 483 – History of Native Americans & the U.S.
History 483 is designed to provide the student with an intensive examination of the history of the indigenous peoples of the United States and their relationship with the federal government, its agencies and to a lesser extent the general population.  The goal of this course is to acquaint students with major events and topics as they relate to Native Americans and their chronology, as well as to stimulate creative and critical thought about the history of the first Americans.

HIST 490 - Early China Credits: 5.00, Writing Intensive.

The development of classical Chinese civilization from the Warring States period through the 10th century. Includes the development of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism; the bureaucratic empire; gender; cultural trends; and the spread of classical civilization to the rest of East Asia.

HIST 491 - Modern China Credits: 5.00, Writing Intensive.

The development of Chinese civilization from the beginnings of modernity in the 10th century to the 20th century. Includes the beginnings of modernity; foreign conquest; the impact of Western imperialism; revolutionary movements of the 20th century; the People’s Republic of China; and the rejection and transformation of traditional culture.

HIST 507- Seminar Credits: 1.00 TO 15.00
May not be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Research design, methods and historical writing. Graduate-level edition of History 407. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(s): Graduate, Non-Admitted Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate

HIST 512- Contemp Dev Hist Credits: 3.00
May not be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Readings, reports, group discussion, and lecture on major trends, problems, and interpretations in modern history. Particular emphasis on history as a part of the secondary school curriculum. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(s): Graduate, Non-Admitted Graduate, Post-Baccalaureate.

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To learn more about the History Program, please contact: 
History - School of Arts and Sciences
Eastern Oregon University
One University Boulevard
La Grande, OR 97850
rhartman@eou.edu