Courses in History

MAJOR IN HISTORY

A Major in History requires at least 12 credit hours of lower-level (100 or 200) history courses, of which nine credit hours must be in the core courses: Hist 101, 200, and 300 or their equivalent.

A minimum of 21 credit hours must be taken at the upper-level (300 or 400), and must include one seminar course and normally Hist 380.

A grade of C or better in each core course is required for the major.

NOTE: The thesis (Hist 490 and 493) may only count as three credit hours toward the requirements for the upper-level electives.

MINOR IN HISTORY

A minor in History requires the core courses: Hist 101, 200, and 300 or their equivalent, plus an additional 15 credit hours in history, of which 12 credit hours must be at the upper level.

A grade of C or better in each core course is required for the minor.

REQUIRED & CORE COURSES IN HISTORY

Hist 101 Ancient Greece and Rome
Through presentations, readings and tutorial discussions, students will come to understand and appreciate some of the major factors and events that shaped the experience of the Greeks, the Romans and the cultures of the early Medieval world.

Hist 200 Later Medieval and Early Modern Europe
Introduces formative themes in European history and culture, including the spread of Christianity, the rise of Islam, Charlemagne, the Crusades, Feudalism, the growth of towns and cities, the Reformation/Counter-Reformation, the growth of nation-states, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment and the French Revolution.

Hist 300 The Present Age
Studies crucial events, issues and personalities in the recent history of the West. Major topics include the impact of the Industrial and Technological Revolutions, the World Wars and the economic and cultural impact of globalization. The turmoil and turbulence from the past two centuries will be seen against the backdrop of two millennia of Western history.

ELECTIVE COURSES IN HISTORY

Hist 2/315 the Emergence of Southeast Asia
Provides a survey of the traditional societies and ancient empires of the region, including patterns of migration and trade. Then focuses on the impact of the colonial period, and Southeast Asia’s various paths to independence, modernization and resurgence in the decades following World War II.

Hist 330 Tudor England, 1485–1603
Examines political, religious, social and economic history under the Tudor monarchs. Begins with events of the tumultuous 15th century background to Henry VII’s usurption of power from Richard III, and ends with the death of Elizabeth I.

RS/Hist 351 The Reform Movements of 16th Century Europe: Effects on Society and Culture
Explores the reform movements of the early 16th century in central Europe, particularly those associated with Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, the Anabaptists, and the significance of the Roman Catholic Counter- Reformation.

Hist 352 Transforming Moments in Western Worldview & Art (15th–20thC.)
This course explores several of the key worldview shifts in Western Europe especially as demonstrated and reflected in art pieces and architecture. Students will examine the causes, development and outcomes
of these shifts as well as the values and limits of categorizing art.

Hist 362 Themes in Medieval History
Focuses on the Christian experience in Western Europe to the time of the Reformation. Both institutional as well as popular expressions of the faith will be investigated.

Hist 364 Post-Reformation Christianity
Considers the rise of the church in Western Europe and North America from the Reformation to the present day.

Hist 365 Intentional Community in North America
Examines the rich history of intentional community in North America and explores the religious, economic, cultural and utopian roots involved in the development of these communities. The course will examine modern trends in the development of intentional community that centre around such issues as sustainability, justice, co-operation and spirituality.

Hist 370 Colonial North America
Explores the colonizing of North America by Spain, France, England and other nations, beginning with the voyages of Christopher Columbus and including the European background to the age of New World exploration. Examines key social, cultural, religious, political, economic, military and geographical influences that have come together to shape the North American experience.

Hist 371 Studies in European Material Culture
Concentrating on selected examples of artifacts, architecture and cultural landscapes over the past 2000 years, this course offers students the opportunity to employ material evidence to gain insights into Europe’s history. The course will focus on both theoretical and applied approaches to the interpretation of material history looking at furniture and other decorative arts, sculpture, weapons, household goods, clothing, textiles, ecclesiastical objects, buildings, cultural landscapes and the like. Course topics are developed around student research on material history themes tied to the 2011 itinerary in Western Europe. The course content will be informed by readings and facilitated through lectures, group discussions, visits to selected sites in Europe and applied research

Hist 372 Themes in the History of Atlantic Canada: Introduction to Material Culture Studies
Introduces students to the history of Atlantic Canada through the study of the region’s artifacts and architecture. Students consider actual artifact examples as case studies. Lectures, class discussions and field trips will survey themes in the economic, political, social and cultural history of the region.

Hist 373 Selected Topics in Canadian History
Selected topics include aboriginal perspectives, cultural landscapes, colonial exploration, immigration, architecture and material culture, religion, reform movements, French and English Canada, Confederation, regional identities and the Idea of Canada. Students will have an opportunity to develop a research paper and submit it for publication.

Hist 380 The Nature of History
Prepares students for advanced studies in the discipline of History. This course evaluates different kinds of primary and secondary evidence, makes judgments about historical causation, examines conflicting historical interpretations, and explores themes in historiography as well as practical and theoretical issues tied to investigating selected areas of History.

Hist 390 European Empires and Nations I
Examines the lives of prominent individuals in rela- tion to the political, economic and cultural themes that characterize the Western European experience over the past 2,500 years. Ideas, motives, values, customs, circumstances, institutions, actions and personal possessions of individuals are considered in the context of their place and time.

Hist 391 European Empires and Nations II
Students prepare a comprehensive research proposal demonstrating a viable topic for historical study. This project must evolve out of onsite lectures, readings, and related course work, and be developed consistent with the learning objectives of the Europe study abroad program.

Hist 410 The Celts
Examines the pan-European background of Celtic peoples, and especially their experience in early medieval Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England and France. Ancient and modern sources will be used to investigate the political, social, economic, cultural, linguistic and material history of the Celts, as expressed in oral and written language, art, sculpture, architecture, craft and music.

Hist 455 Directed Reading
Selected topics.

Hist 465 Seminar
Analyses the historical events, movements, and issues that have shaped popular culture in North America in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Hist 371 Studies in European Material Culture
Concentrating on selected examples of artifacts, architecture and cultural landscapes over the past 2000 years, this course offers students the opportunity to employ material evidence to gain insights into Europe’s history. The course will focus on both theoretical and applied approaches to the interpretation of material history looking at furniture and other decorative arts, sculpture, weapons, household goods, clothing, textiles, ecclesiastical objects, buildings, cultural landscapes and the like. Course topics are developed around student research on material history themes tied to the 2011 itinerary in Western Europe. The course content will be informed by readings and facilitated through lectures, group discussions, visits to selected sites in Europe and applied research.

Hist 472 Material Culture Fieldwork
The course will examine selected historical themes primarily through artifacts and architecture, employing material culture studies research strategies.

Kings Landing Historical Settlement has an enormous collection of artifacts and buildings dating from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Through lectures, seminar discussions, weekend field trips to Kings Landing and hands-on material culture research, students will be guided through various case studies in material culture theory and practice.

Such historical themes such as gentility, refinement, manners, respectability, style, class, vulgarity, work, wealth, poverty, vanity, the beautiful and the drab, among others, will be interpreted with the help of myriad material culture sources: carpets, pianos, coverlets, shoes, stoves, barrels, toys, yards, lawns, shrubbery, fences, barns, horse-drawn wagons, family Bibles and bedsteads, and much more. Our particular focus will be a case study of colonial New Brunswick from the Loyalists to the Victorians. This enterprise will involve identifying and understanding socio-cultural influences adapted from Europe, the United States and elsewhere that are revealed in the material evidence. With the help of the artifacts and architecture, we will explore patterns of continuity and change in the ways in which people made, used, understood and remembered their material world.

Hist 470 Scope and Methods Seminar
Familiarizes students with the process of research and writing a thesis. Fosters reflection on the various methods employed in academic research in view of the need for upper-level students to integrate their previous learning in the various disciplines, as well as hone their skills for writing their theses.

Hist 490 Thesis Reading and Research
The research portion of the baccalaureate thesis project in History. By the end of the term, each student will submit to the instructor: (1) an annotated bibliography of the secondary material relevant to the thesis, (2) an 8- to 10-page paper related to some aspect of the material examined during the bibliographical search, and (3) a detailed outline of the thesis.

Hist 493 Baccalaureate Thesis
Following successful completion of Hist 490, a student may use the research to write a thesis of at least 15,000 words (exclusive of footnotes and bibliography). The thesis should demonstrate thoughtful appraisal and the ability to present a scholarly argument, and should reflect the ethos of SSU in a substantial way. At the conclusion of the term, students will be required to make oral presentations based on their theses.