History

HIS 1100. Ohio History (Odd years - I; 3) — A general survey of state history with an emphasis on social, economic, religious, and political development from colonial times to the present and the role and contribution of African and Indigenous peoples. Recommended especially for elementary and secondary teachers who plan to teach in Ohio and for American History majors. 

HIS 1110. Introductory History of Africans in the U.S. (I, II; 3) — A general history survey of people of African descent in North America, covering such topics as slavery, the abolitionist movement, reconstruction and the rise of segregationist laws, the Harlem Renaissance, and the movement for human and democratic rights. The unique experience of people of African descent in America and its affinity with the main themes of North American history will be emphasized. Prerequisite: ENG 1100 or ENG 1101. 

HIS 1121. Global History to 1500 (I, II; 3) — Beginning with the emergence of humanity in Africa, this course will deal with trends in the development of human culture in China, India, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Students will examine each of these regions in their efforts to build systems of government, religion, and national unity. Interactions among these regions will be examined from the standpoint of trade, war, empire, and scientific and technological exchange. Prerequisite: ENG 1100 or ENG 1101.Equivalent to TAG OHS041 (Combination of HIS 1121 and HIS 1122 equals TAG OHS009). 

HIS 1122. Global History Since 1500 (I, II; 3) — Students will examine efforts to build centralized states in Western Hemispheric, African, European, and Asian cultures, including trade and exploration leading to Europe’s rise to worldwide hegemony from the standpoint of the impact on Indigenous, African, and Asian cultures resulting in slavery, colonialism, and world war, concluding with the Cold War and independence struggles in the 20th century. Prerequisite: ENG 1100 or ENG 1101. Equivalent to TAG OHS042. (Combination of HIS 1121 and HIS 1122 equals OHS009). 

HIS 2100. Historiography and Historical Research Methods (I; 3 –On Demand) — An introduction to the study and discipline of history. This course focuses on the philosophy, methodology, and practice of history as an academic discipline, with an emphasis on the diversity of modern historiography, the problem of objectivity, and the professional standards of historical scholarship. The ultimate goal is to prepare the student for success as a student and professional in the field of history. Prerequisites: ENG 1102; HIS 1110, HIS 1121, or HIS 1122 or permission of the instructor. 

HIS 2201. History of the U.S. to 1877 (I; 3) — This course examines the origins of society in North America with an emphasis on themes such as slavery, removal of Indigenous peoples, regional economic growth and development, national formation, independence, compromise, expansion, sectional conflict, international war and conflict, African and Native American resistance and war, and Civil War and reconstruction. Prerequisites: ENG 1102; HIS 1110, HIS 1121 or HIS 1122 or permission of the instructor. Equivalent to TAG OHS043. 

HIS 2202. History of the U.S. Since 1877 (II; 3) — This course will study the growth of big business, Western and imperial expansion, the growth of the social reform movements, movements for human and democratic rights, the Depression, both World Wars, and the emergence of the Cold War as the United States becomes a dominant world power in the mid-20th century. Prerequisites: ENG 1102; HIS 1110, HIS 1121, or HIS 1122 or permission of the instructor.  Equivalent to TAG OHS044. 

HIS 2245. Introduction to African Civilizations (I; 3-OddYears) — This course provides an introduction to the classical civilizations of Africa, beginning with the origins of humanity to the development of Ancient Egypt (Kemet), Nubia, and Kush, and exploration of the Great Kingdoms of Central and Western Africa. This course examines Africa’s social spiritual, cultural, and political development in detail, as well as the maintenance of cultural continuity with the migration of African people. Key individuals and events will also be discussed. 

HIS 2280. History of Asia (I; 3- Odd Years) — This course is a general survey of the history of Asia from its ancient origins to the present.  As the largest and most populous continent with more than 60% of earth's population, Asia is home to three great ancient civilizations: Mesopotamia, Indus, and China; and to such dynamic economies of the world today as China, Japan, and India. This course traces the progress of Asian civilization from ancient to modern times in four major regions: East, South, West, and Southeast, with special emphasis on their encounters with the West and their struggles and triumphs for development and modernization. 

HIS 3270. Pan African History (II; 3- Odd Years) — This interdisciplinary exploration of African Diaspora history is guided by the Black/Africana Studies discipline and Afrocentricity, which uses a variety of disciplines to better understand the dynamics of African cultural integrity. Histories, documentaries, independent research, and discussions will be used to explore relationships between Africans and African descendant populations. Disciplinary tools used in this course include History, Africana Studies, Political Science, Geography, Linguistics, and Arts.

HIS 3301. African American History to 1877 (I; 3-Even Years) —This course is a history of the struggle and contributions of Africans in North America from the period of European colonial settlement to the end of Reconstruction in 1877. It will examine issues such as early African resistance, rebellion, and war, the realities of enslavement, abolitionism, the debates between Douglass and Delany, the Black Convention Movement, the Underground Railroad, the African Colonization Society, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Prerequisites: HIS 1110 or permission of the instructor. 

HIS 3302. African American History Since 1877 (II; 3 – Even Years) — This course is a history of the struggle and contributions of Africans in North America from the post-Reconstruction period to the present. It will examine such issues as segregation, anti-lynching campaigns, Africans in World War I and World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the Harlem Renaissance, school desegregation, and struggles for human and civil rights in the 1960s and beyond. In addition, the ideas of Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. DuBois, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X will be examined.  Prerequisites: HIS 1110 or permission of the instructor. 

HIS 3311. American Diplomatic History I (On Demand - Odd Years) — This course examines the history of American foreign relations and follows the development of diplomacy in its international and domestic contexts from the colonial era to the aftermath of World War I. Topics covered include the problems of organizing a new nation, expansion in North America and beyond, the impact of racism, war, and revolution, the rise to world powers, as well as consideration of the economic, political, and social imperatives behind foreign policymaking. This course is open to non-majors. Prerequisite: HIS 2201 or HIS 2202 or the Instructor’s permission.

HIS 3312. American Diplomatic History II (On Demand - Odd Years) — This course examines the history of American foreign relations and follows the development of diplomacy in its international and domestic contexts from the aftermath of World War I to the present. This course is open to non-majors. Prerequisite: HIS 2201 or HIS 2202 or Instructor’s permission. 

HIS 3320. History of Europe to 1500 (I; 3) — A study of the history of Europe from Greece to the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance. Prerequisites: HIS 1121. 

HIS 3321. History of Europe Since 1500 (II; 3) — A study of the history of Europe from the Renaissance to the present. European modern state formation, the expansion of its colonial empires, its involvement in both World Wars, and its decline as the dominant force in global politics will be examined. Prerequisites: HIS 1122. 

HIS 3330. History of Modern China & Japan (II; 3- Odd Years) — This is a specialized upper-level history course covering modern China and Japan from feudal imperial empires to economic powerhouses. It is a critical link in modern global history and vital to an explicit understanding of today’s increasingly globalized and interconnected world. This course explores China and Japan’s encounters with the West and their struggles for modernization; their differing paths to communism and militarism; and the “miracles” of their rapid postwar economic development. 

HIS 3355. Community Participation (II; 3) — This course affords the student an opportunity to use the theory of the classroom in a practical community activity, such as research, data collection, and public relations. Students will conduct local history research and perform community service in the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center. Prerequisites: HIS 1110, HIS 2201 and HIS 2202, or permission of the instructor. 

HIS 3360. Oral History Seminar (I; 3) — Students will master the techniques and methodology of conducting oral history interviews and develop a clear understanding of the life experiences and memories of an earlier generation. Prerequisites: HIS 1110, HIS 2201, HIS 2202, HIS 1121, and HIS 1122. 

HIS 3370. History of the Black Woman (I; 3) — This course is designed to present an overview of the history of the Black woman across the Diaspora, from Africa to the United States and the Caribbean. This course will examine the particulars of the life of the Black woman, including exploring her role in traditional African culture, understanding her experience under enslavement, and her activism during the Reconstruction, Civil Rights, and Black Power eras. Of particular importance will be the intersecting dynamics of her roles as leader, worker, wife, and mother. Key individuals will be explored in detail. Prerequisites: HIS 1110 or permission of the instructor. 

HIS 3455. Colonial Latin America (II; 3) — This course is an examination of the transfer of Iberian culture and structures to the Western Hemisphere resulting in the colonial clash of Native, African, and European cultures. The effects of colonialism on Indigenous cultures, the European-controlled slave trade, and the nature and organization of colonial society under Spanish and Portuguese rule will be examined. Prerequisites: HIS 1121 or HIS 1122. 

HIS 3460. Islam in Africa (II; 3) — Islam plays an increasingly important role in shaping African societies. This course examines how Islam spread chiefly into the Western, Sudanic, Northern, and Eastern, including the coastal, regions of Africa. It focuses on the processes of adoption, adaption, and transformation as these affected Indigenous African societies and peninsular Islamic standards and practices. The role of Islam in the state formation and nation-building, the varieties of contemporary African political Islam, and sectarian issues, among other topics, also will be studied. Prerequisite: HIS 1121 or HIS 1122. 

HIS 3550. Museum Studies (II; 3)— This course provides mentorship experiences designed to introduce students to the basics of museum operation with four focus areas: museum administration; collections care and management; exhibitions; and museum education and programming. In the United States and other parts of the world, museums have become significant and enduring institutions. According to a recent estimate, over 30,000 museums exist in the United States and Canada, and they attract over 70 million visitors annually. Although this course will deal with museums in general, it will use the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center as a resource and practice facility. In this program, students will learn how museum professionals catalog, research, exhibit, and interpret the holdings of a museum for the benefit of a community. Students will gain experience through the development of independent projects and will have the opportunity to visit local historical sites and museums to study how these agencies carry out their mandated duties. Prerequisites: HIS 1121, HIS 1122, HIS 2201, and HIS 2202. 

HIS 3560. Archival Studies (I; 3) — This course introduces students to the theories and principles that guide archivists, including the use of archival records, their management, physical storage, organization, and preservation. In addition, students will gain introductory experience working directly with archival material. Students will also become acquainted with professionals and have professional opportunities in related fields. Prerequisites: HIS 2100, HIS 1121, HIS 1122, HIS 2201, and HIS 2202. 

HIS 4370. Recent America: 1900-1941 (I; 3) — This course is a detailed study of the domestic issues from the turn of the 12th century to the economic depression of the 1930s and the involvement of the U.S. in World War I. Prerequisites: HIS 2202. 

HIS 4371. Recent America: 1941-Present (II; 3) — This course is a study of World War Il, the Cold War, the politics of protest and social reform, America’s involvement in Vietnam, and the assumption of the role of America as a superpower. Prerequisites: HIS 2202. 

HIS 4420. Africa Before 1885 (I; 3- Odd Years) — This course examines Africa’s socio-political development from an African centered perspective. In particular, the course will examine the nature of oral history vs. written history, the concept of nation-state vs. acephalous societies, African democracy, communal organization, and Africa’s economic structures. The destabilization of African nations resulting from European conquest and slaving will be explored within the context of its impact on Africa. The course will also analyze the impact of European cultural forms on the continent and the beginnings of European colonialism. Prerequisite: HIS 2245 or permission of instructor. 

HIS 4430. Africa After 1885 (II; 3- Odd Years) — This course examines the impact of the Berlin Conference and the beginnings of colonialism upon the continent of Africa. The changes to traditional African socio-political, cultural, and economic forms due to the force of European culture will be analyzed in detail. Africa’s participation in the two World Wars, Africa’s liberation movements, and the beginnings of Pan-Africanism will also be explored. Africa’s integration into the global economy via the continued policies of Neo-Colonialism will be researched in depth. Finally, the course will study the impact of the Cold War in the creation of the modern African nation-state and examine the dynamics of Africa’s political process. Prerequisites: HIS 2245 or permission of the instructor. 

HIS 4497. Special Topics in History (Even Years/On Demand - II; 3) — Topics in this course will vary. Instructors will have an opportunity to teach topics that they are currently researching or topics of special interest to them. Prerequisites: HIS 1121; HIS 1122; HIS 2201; and HIS 2202; or permission of the instructor. 

HIS 4640. Islamic History To 1798 (I; 3) — This course explores the history and culture of the Arab and Muslim peoples in the Middle East, including the Maghrib from the late 6th century to Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Egypt in 1798. Emphasis is placed on the interrelations of socio-economic structures and intellectual developments in Islamic theology and Sharia law. The historical emergence of Islam, its maturation in the Classical Age, the consolidation of imperial states under Islam, and the decline of the Islamic Middle East and the Maghrib to the end of the 18th century are the major areas of focus in this course. Prerequisite: HIS 1121 or HIS 1122. 

HIS 4650. Modern Middle East History (II; 3) — This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the major problems of the Muslim Middle East in the modern period. It focuses on internal Arab and Muslim social, intellectual, and economic developments. Muslim responses to European colonialism including the debate on westernization and/or versus modernization, modern Arab and Muslim nationalisms, major political trends since independence, and Islamic reformist and Islamic revivalist movements are among the chief topics emphasized in this course. Prerequisite: HIS 1122. 

HIS 4995. Global History Capstone Seminar (On Demand - II; 3) — This is the history major’s capstone course. Students will be required to develop a senior thesis from their specialty area with a global focus that will pull together knowledge and skills from the core and elective areas of the major. Prerequisite: Completion of the history major or permission of the instructor.