History Courses
HIS 1030 WORLD HISTORY I (3)
This course explores the human past from prehistory to 1500 A.D. with an emphasis on political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments. Students should be able to recognize and analyze historical connections between people, places, and different arenas of activity in pre-modern world civilizations. Recommended only for students who have passed ENG 1010. Must be taken by the end of a student’s sophomore year, or by new students, or with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
HIS 1040 WORLD HISTORY II (3)
This course explores the human past from 1500 A.D. to the present with an emphasis on political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments. Students should be able to recognize and analyze historical connections between people, places, and different arenas of activity. Recommended only for students who have passed ENG 1010. Must be taken by the end of a student’s sophomore year, or by new students, or with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
HIS 2010 UNITED STATES HISTORY I (3)
The transition of civilization from Europe and Africa to America, emphasizing political, social, and economic events to 1865. Must be taken by the end of a student’s sophomore year, or by new students, or with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 2020 UNITED STATES HISTORY II (3)
The history of the United States since 1865 with emphasis on diversity in modern America and America’s rise to a world power in the twentieth century. Must be taken by the end of a student’s sophomore year, or by new students, or with permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 2040 U.S. WOMEN’S HISTORY (3)
A survey of women’s history in America from contact through the present day. Considers women’s experiences through multiple lenses, including race, gender, and politics.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 2160 HISTORY OF SCIENCE (3)
This course traces the development of the study and attempts to comprehend the natural world. It includes precursors to early science, the development of scientific method, technology and science education, the transfer of knowledge, movements in the definition and philosophy of science, the institutional context of scientific study and research, cross-cultural influences in science and technology, the rise of different scientific disciplines, cultural and political conflicts that involve the progress of scientific knowledge, and the achievements of modern science. While the central focus of the course is the development of western science and technology, Chinese, Indian, and Arabic science and technology are included.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 2170 RACE AND ETHNICITY IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE (3)
Topics in the global history of racial and ethnic groups and theories of race and ethnicity.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 2180 SURVEY OF THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE (3)
This course delves into the evolution of medicine in the Western world from ancient times to the present day. We explore the changing intellectual, economic, institutional, and cultural relationships that have characterized medicine over the centuries. Among the topics covered in this course are the education of practitioners, the locations of healing, developing concepts of health, disease and pain, and the expectations that people had of medicine as ideas about the body and illness shifted with new discoveries and theories about health and disease. We will examine the roles of prominent individuals as well as general trends like industrialization and technology, in shaping medical practice and the medical professions.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3000 HISTORY IN THEORY AND PRACTICE (3)
An introduction to historiography (different approaches to historical study and certain subjects within that study), varied historical sources, document analysis, and writing on a topic determined by the instructor. Required of all history majors and minors. It is recommended that all History majors and minors complete this course before finishing their sophomore year.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring
HIS 3110 ANCIENT HISTORY (3)
Covers ancient near-Eastern civilization and/or the Hellenic, Hellenistic, and Roman worlds, the expanded cultural and economic interchanges brought about by the creation of empires, such as that of Alexander the Great, the rise of Abrahamic religions, and the emergence of distinct societies in Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and Afro-Eurasia.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3120 MEDIEVAL HISTORY (3)
This course covers European and Mediterranean societies from the Germanic migrations (ca. 450) until the beginning of the era of global exploration (ca. 1500). Topics include the formation of Western Europe; changes within Christianity and expressions of faith; Viking invasions; the development of unique medieval political, economic and cultural practices, including feudalism, knighthood and chivalry; the flourishing power of monarchy; the Crusades; the Inquisition; rises and transformations in medieval artistic expression, including architecture and literature.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3160 THE AGE OF CRUSADES (3)
This course examines the crusading movement until the 13th century. The emphasis of the course will be on the experiences and viewpoints of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities who took part in or were affected by the Crusades and how this pivotal era transformed European and Middle Eastern history. Topics will include just war in Abrahamic religious traditions, the Church and papacy in the context of crusading, the Crusades’ impact on European and Middle Eastern culture, economy, and politics, and medieval warfare.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3180 DISEASE IN WORLD HISTORY (3)
This class explores the history of disease in global perspective, including theories of illness and health, epidemiology, treatment, technology, and contexts from natural to psychological, social, cultural, political, and economic.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3310 TOPICS IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY (3)
This course covers various topics and time periods in Central American, South American, and Caribbean history.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3610 THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT (3)
This course briefly reviews the construction of Jim Crow in America and then focuses on the challenges to Jim Crow, particularly after WWII. The course covers the Civil Rights Movement both in the South and in the rest of the nation.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3620 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA (3)
The history of North Carolina from the Colonial period to the present with emphasis on economic, political, and cultural developments.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: Spring
HIS 3650 SLAVERY, CIVIL WAR, AND RECONSTRUCTION (3)
This course examines the social, political and military history of the Civil War and Reconstruction Era in the United States, with a special emphasis on the lives of enslaved and formerly enslaved people.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3700 CONTEMPORARY WORLD HISTORY (3)
A survey of the world since 1945, emphasizing Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The major links between Europe, the United States, Africa, Asia, and Latin America will be explored.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 3820 HISTORY AND GENDER (3)
Investigates the historical meanings and practices of womanhood and manhood in diverse cultures. Topics include family relationships, sexuality, morals, politics, and society.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 4210 AMERICAN MILITARY EXPERIENCE (3)
American military history from the Colonial Period to the present with emphasis on the interrelationship of war and society. Open to all students.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed: MSL 4210
Offered: fall
HIS 4220 POST-WWII AMERICA (3)
This course starts in 1945 and covers United States history to the present. Topics include the Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, social and economic changes, and popular culture.
Prerequisite: none
HIS 4300 HISTORY MUSEUM INTERNSHIP (3)
Experiential learning acquired through placement with museum staff at the Museum of the Cape Fear or other regional museums. The student is assigned duties and responsibilities approved by the Director of Internships and supervised and evaluated by the University instructor and on-site supervisor. Work may include oral history projects, research and preparation for exhibits, and preparation of educational material related to museum activity. Interns work for 9-12 hours per week for fifteen weeks or an equivalent number of hours during a summer term. Weekly class contact, journal or written reports are required. This course is repeatable, once, for credit.
Prerequisite: Permission of the division head
HIS 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN HISTORY (TBA)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major.
Prerequisite: approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, the department chair, and the college dean before approval by the Provost. Credits to be determined.
Offered: as needed