HIST - History

Courses numbered 100 to 299 = lower-division; 300 to 499 = upper-division; 500 to 799 = undergraduate/graduate.

HIST 100.  The Human Adventure: World Civilization Since 1500   (3).

General education humanities course. Introductory history of the human experience during the past five centuries, with attention to the major social, cultural, economic and political traditions of Asia, Africa and the Americas as well as Europe. Course includes diversity content. This is a Kansas Systemwide Transfer Course.

HIST 101.  World Civilization to 1500   (3).

General education humanities course. Introduces great world civilizations before 1500, both Western (Near East, Greece, Rome, Medieval and Renaissance Europe) and non-Western (China, Japan, India, sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas). Readings help define civilization, stress the individual contributions of each culture to world civilization, and examine the interactions and influences between cultures. Course includes diversity content. This is a Kansas Systemwide Transfer Course.

HIST 102.  History of Western Civilization Since 1648   (3).

General education humanities course. Introductory survey of the political, social, cultural and economic developments in Europe from 1648 until the present day that have shaped our world. Covers the development of constitutional democracies, the rise of totalitarian dictatorships, the emergence of mass society and the middle class, and revolutionary developments in politics and technology.

HIST 104.  Topics in World History   (3).

Familiarizes students with creative and/or nontraditional ways of examining world history. Possible topics include how contemporary society uses world history in film, the evolution of social issues through first-person accounts from a variety of cultures across the globe, or other topics and approaches.

HIST 131.  History of the United States: Colonial to 1865   (3).

General education humanities course. Begins with the native peoples who occupied this continent and continues through the Civil War. Explores the origins and development of the United States, including the influence of the Puritans, the struggle for independence, the quest of the 19th century hippies to find utopia, and the challenge to abolish slavery. Examines the formation of our institutions, major political and economic issues, and the expansion of the country's boundaries. This is a Kansas Systemwide Transfer Course.

HIST 132.  History of the United States Since 1865   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines the rapid change characterizing the period of U.S. history from the Civil War to the present. Studies the growth of big business, reform movements, and the emergence of the U.S. as a world power. Explores how political, social and economic factors, as well as WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam continue to affect Americans and present a challenge to democracy within a growing diverse population that tests traditional institutions. This is a Kansas Systemwide Transfer Course.

HIST 150.  Workshops in History   (3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 150A, 150B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

HIST 150AA.  Leadership and the Local Community   (3).

This course invites current and future community leaders, as well as other members of the general public, to engage the study of local history as a gateway to learn the skills of local civic and community. Using the framework of the Kansas Leadership Center’s training framework, participants will learn the skills and techniques of doing local and community history and will apply the lessons that “nearby history” can review to address pressing issues and concerns.

HIST 150AB.  This Place Called Wichita   (0.5).

Presents the story of Wichita through an exploration of its people and places. As the city has grown and changed, new parts of the city developed. As shifts in population, economics, transportation patterns and cultural values took place, once prominent and upscale parts of town gained new residents and businesses. Students learn to read a city and the lessons it can teach. Repeatable for a total of 1 credit hour.

HIST 150AW.  History in Film   (0.5).

This course provides an overview of how film has entertained, educated and sometimes misrepresented history throughout the last 100 years of cinema. Focuses on ten films and examines the way they impacted audiences, and have become a part of our national consciousness regarding history.

HIST 150BB.  Wichita and Architecture   (0.5).

An exploration of Wichita history through its built landscape. By using Wichita’s buildings as a case study of architectural styles from the 1860s through the present, students learn the basics of architectural styles as well as how the history of a city is reflected in its architecture.

HIST 150BC.  The Border War: Conflict in Kansas and Missouri during the Civil War   (0.5).

Examines the story of the conflict along the Kansas and Missouri border from 1854-1865. Students examine the primary sources, images and collections related to the individuals and events of that period. Attention is given to the issues of slavery, sectionalism, settlement and political viability during this period and its lasting legacy for the region and the nation.

HIST 150CB.  Humans and Epidemics   (0.5).

The recent SARS-Cov-2 pandemic is the latest incarnation of a centuries-old process of human life. This course provides an overview of where epidemic agents emerge; their impact on human society from ancient times until the present; and the protective approaches that have been developed to protect against them and a brief summary of the continuing challenges we will face for the foreseeable future. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 150CG.  Remember the Ladies   (0.5).

Explores the story of the First Ladies of the United States from Martha Washington to the present. This class examines the women and their back story throughout U.S. history. In large part, people know of the First Ladies through the prism of their husbands. This course attempts to truly familiarize students with the lives, accomplishments and legacies of these women who, like their husbands, made an impact upon the nation. Repeatable for credit.

HIST 150CI.  Native Americans Advocating for Native Americans   (0.5).

Examines ideas, attitudes and governmental policies that shaped the Native American experience of the U.S. from the Civil War through World War II, and focuses on the life work of specific indigenous Americans to change U.S. policies and attitudes toward their people. Advocacy to Congress and the White House, whistle blowing, use of pageantry and performance, work with the scouting and camping movements, and extensive writing for publication about “Indians” are discussed. Special attention is paid to Charles Eastman (Dakota) and Zitkala Sa (Nakota, a.k.a. Gertrude Simmons Bonnin). Other leaders of the Society of American Indians like Arthur C. Parker (Seneca), Sherman Coolidge (Arapaho), Carlos Montezuma (Yavapai/a.k.a. Mohave-Apache), Charles Daganett (Peoria), Henry Standing Bear (Lakota), Henry Roe Cloud (Winnebago), and Marie Baldwin (Chippewa/Ojibwe), and traditional leaders Little Crow, Red Cloud and Sitting Bull are included.

HIST 150CJ.  African Americans’ Impact on US History   (0.5).

Seeks to examine ideas, attitudes, movements and governmental policies that shaped the African American experience of the U.S. through the 20th Century. Uses primary sources, books, and letters and images as well as short video clips to learn about this history that some Americans do not want to have their children learn. Students learn about men and women and organizations that shaped the Black experience of America and about the records they kept of their experience. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 300.  Introduction to Historical Research and Writing   (3).

Basic hands-on instruction in historical research methodology, writing and criticism. Students do individual research and write articles and book reviews, a lengthy research paper, and critiques of their colleagues' paper drafts. Goal is for students to be capable of conducting historical research and presenting findings in a professional manner. Required of history majors.

HIST 304.  Conversations with Kansans: The History, Diversity, Cultures and Voices of Kansas   (3).

General education humanities course. Each week, students hear a variety of voices reflecting on what it means to be a 21st century Kansan. Kansas has been at the center of the nation reflected in news, politics and, of course, by its people and geography. From abolition to Populism, prohibition to socialism, Kansas grassroots movements often take on national implications. This course introduces these themes by bringing in people to reflect on their experiences and, in return, train students to conduct their own research.

HIST 305.  Epidemics in World History   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as HNRS 305F. Focuses on the history of the impacts and human responses to a specific epidemic outbreak or outbreaks. Begins with an overview of epidemics and human response and focuses in depth on legionella and Legionnaires’ disease. This examination situates current events into the history of the bacteria and traces the public health, scientific and popular responses to the infectious organism. Course is conducted seminar style with student discussion and participation forming a portion of the grade. Students are also graded on both a written project and an oral presentation of their research. If enrollment merits, the final research project may be a collaborative effort. Course objective is to get the students digging into the history of Legionnaires’ disease and applying a critical eye to contemporary events and approaches to the disease.

HIST 306.  The U.S. Century: Decades of Change   (3).

General education humanities course. Examination of the major social and political events of the turbulent 20th century. Beginning with the assassination of William McKinley, this course explores the U.S. participation in wars, the economic and social crises of the Great Depression, and the reform movements of the "American Century."

HIST 307.  History of Genocide Past and Present   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as HNRS 305O. Examines the multifaceted causes of genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries. Among the topics covered are the historical roots and definitions of genocide and how groups defined as "others" or "outsiders" are targeted for extermination. Central concepts discussed are the development of exclusionary national identities, the role of political leadership and the means by which genocidal violence unfolds. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 309.  The African American Historical Experience   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as ETHS 381AD. Provides a panoramic examination of the African American experience. Chronologically, it covers life in Africa before the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the present day. It focuses on the social, political and economic development of the transplanted Africans in the United States. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 310.  Special Topics in History   (1-3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 310A, 310B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

HIST 314.  English History   (3).

General education humanities course. English history from the beginning of the Stuart period to the present.

HIST 315.  Modern German History   (3).

Surveys German history from the end of the Napoleonic era in 1815 to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

HIST 317.  The Holocaust   (3).

General education humanities course. Investigates the conditions within European society which led to and ultimately culminated in the murder of approximately six million Jews. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 318.  The Holocaust in Film   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines the ways in which the Holocaust has been portrayed in film. Course goals focus on teaching students to think critically about the films they view and to evaluate the problematic nature of historical representation in film.

HIST 319.  History Beyond the Headlines   (3).

General education humanities course. Provides students an opportunity to study the historical context of contemporary events around the world. The subject matter is derived completely from current online news sources. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: FYHS 102AE, FYHN 102F, HIST 319 or HNRS 305N.

HIST 320.  Russian History Survey   (3).

General education humanities course. A survey of Russian history from A.D. 862 to the present.

HIST 321.  The Vietnam Conflict   (3).

General education humanities course. Studies U.S. participation in Vietnam. Includes the French experience in Indochina, U.S. troop buildup, the Tet Offensive in 1968, and the anti-war movement at home. Examines political factors as well as military strategy, tactics and major battles.

HIST 327.  Ethnic Entrepreneurship   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as ENTR 327. Nonwhite entrepreneurs are rarely spotlighted in broad-based surveys of American business enterprise. This course seeks to widen the lens to observe commercial activity both nationally and locally. A variety of interdisciplinary works provide foundational material for students to observe the nuances of African American, Asian American and Latino entrepreneurship in the United States. Also, a variety of local individuals, conversant with the experiences of ethnic/nonwhite entrepreneurs, are invited to class to share with students their perspectives and insights. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 330.  The Americans: Conflict and Consensus in the Development of American Society and Culture   (3).

General education humanities course. A topical examination of selected historical phenomena and personages in the evolution of American democratic society as interpreted by historians and literati.

HIST 333.  Ethnic America in the 20th Century   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as ETHS 334. In-depth study of the ethnic experience in the 20th century. Major historical topics include identity formations, intergenerational conflict, class differentiation and social mobility, the politics of ethnicity, resistance and civil rights movements, the racialization of immigration laws, and transnationalism. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 335.  Latinos/as in the City   (3).

General education humanities course. Despite being construed as recent arrivals, Latino Americans have long contributed to the social, cultural and spatial developments of U.S. cities. This course examines Latinx urban life since the 19th century, taking account of how Latinos/as have remade the places they call home. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 338.  World War I   (3).

An examination of the causes, course of and consequences of World War I. The course examines the diplomatic, military, social and economic issues related to the war that reflected its frequent title of the Great War.

HIST 340.  World War II   (3).

General education humanities course. Introduction to the background and causes of World War II, as well as the military, diplomatic, economic, psychological and scientific dimensions of the war. Considers the legacy of the war in light of the postwar world.

HIST 341.  Cold War   (3).

Covers the history of the Cold War from 1945 to 1991. Exploration of activity and impact in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Consideration of impact of Cold War on social, economic and political spheres. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 342.  Nineteenth Century European Imperialism   (3).

Covers European Imperialism in the nineteenth century. Specifically, the course investigates European activities in Africa, Asia and the Pacific and their impact on cultures and economies. The role of women in Imperialism is also included. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 343.  The Evolution of Warfare: Pre-History to Present   (3).

Explores the origins and evolution of military conflict from the ancient world to the modern day. Students read and discuss a number of sources to analyze the strategic, operational and tactical evolution of warfare over time; through this analysis, students better understand the influence of warfare on the political, social, economic, technologic and cultural aspects of human history. Areas of study include conflicts and wars in the Stone Age world; the seminal eastern and western empires of the Bronze and early Iron Ages; the classical civilizations of the Iron Ages, including Greece and Rome; the European ‘Dark Ages’ and the rise of Islam; the kingdoms of the western and eastern Feudal period; the advent of gunpowder and the resulting Military Revolution; the Wars of Religion and National Expansion; the Wars of Revolution; the impact of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of mass armies and navies; and the Revolution in Military Affairs wrought by the introduction of nuclear weapons. Special attention is given to the evolution of missile and shock technologies over time and how they were used in offensive and defensive warfare, both on land and at sea, to achieve social, political and religious objectives. Class presentation includes lecture, discussion, primary readings and audio-visual material. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 344.  World War II in Film   (3).

A study of how filmmakers have portrayed World War II over the years. Students watch and discuss films from different eras and different perspectives to explore how the same topic can be interpreted in different ways.

HIST 348.  History of Baseball   (3).

Explores the evolution of America's national pastime and examines the relationship between baseball and the development of American culture, society and character. Examines the development of the sport as a uniquely American game, its heroes and bums, champions and cheaters, fans and critics, labor and owners.

HIST 350.  Special Topics   (1-3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 350A, 350B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

HIST 352.  Classical Mythology   (3).

Cross-listed as GREK 325 and LATN 325. Studies the most important myths of the Greeks and Romans. Includes the stories of creation, the gods and goddesses, the major heroes and important sagas such as Achilles, Odysseus and the Trojan War. Sources are mainly literary, e.g., Homer, Hesiod, Virgil and Ovid, but the course also includes Greek art. All readings in English; requires no previous knowledge of Latin or Greek.

HIST 365.  Mongol Empire: Genghis Khan and His Empire   (3).

Follows the creation and lifespan of the Mongol Empire from the thirteenth to fourteenth century. From the efforts of its founder, Genghis Khan, to its destruction, the course looks at the various parts of the empire in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The course considers the impact of the Mongol Empire in the Black Death, the Crusades and creation of a new larger China. The role of Mongol women in the empire is also explored. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 382.  Early Christianity   (3).

Cross-listed as REL 382. Provides students with a survey of the development of Christianity to 1000 CE. The course examines the complex evolution of Christianity in its historical contexts. It also provides students with opportunities to explore the tools and professional practices of the disciplines of history and religious studies, particularly reading primary sources, writing and engaging in collegial discussion.

HIST 393.  Yeltsin, Putin and Beyond: Russia Since the End of the Soviet Union   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines contemporary life in the former USSR: historical background, ideology, industrial and agricultural economies, roles played by women, national minorities and dissidents in Russian society, the press, literature and art, health care, and prospects for the country's future. Special emphasis on the impact of Yeltsin and Putin on Russian history. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 399.  Experimental Course   (3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 399A, 399B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

HIST 399AA.  History and Rock'n'Roll   (3).

Explores the relationship between music and history. Studying a wide variety of genres, students examine the development of popular music from its rise to prominence in the late 19th century to the present day. Moving across a range of historical and cultural contexts, this course introduces students to various popular music genres — blues, rock’n’roll, punk — as they explore relationships between the production and consumption of popular music and how these traditions work to express given societies and particular historical contexts.

HIST 399AE.  1960s in Europe   (3).

Cross-listed as 599AE. The 1960s evoke considerable debate: were they a period of emancipation? Or were they an era of disorder? This course explores the politics, social movements and cultural phenomenon which emerged during the 1960s in both Eastern and Western Europe. We will pay particular attention to how contemporaries made sense of the changes they were experiencing, and how they strove to translate youthful energy and activism into sustained cultural change. Above all, this course seeks to examine what was the meaning of the 1960s and what were its consequences.

HIST 399AF.  Vietnam Conflict in Film   (3).

Cross-listed as HIST 599AF. A retrospective study of America’s longest and most divisive war. The goal of the course is to compare and contrast Hollywood’s version of the war, which may be highly romanticized and subjective, with what professional historians and documentaries have said. It is anticipated that the students’ knowledge and understanding of the war will be enhanced, and their critical viewing skills sharpened. Students will view a series of film, documentary as well as feature films, that deal with the war. These films will provide an in-depth treatment of several selected topics. Each viewing will be preceded by a lecture providing background and will be followed by class discussion about the merits, accuracy, and interpretation provided in the feature film.

HIST 399G.  World War I in Film   (3).

A study of how filmmakers have portrayed World War I over the years. Students watch and discuss films from different eras and different perspectives to explore how the same topic can be interpreted in different ways.

HIST 399Q.  Civil War in Film   (3).

A study of how filmmakers have portrayed the Civil War over the years. Students watch and discuss films from different eras and different perspectives to explore how the same topic can be interpreted in different ways.

HIST 399X.  Communism and the Cold War in Film   (3).

An exploration of how the communist regimes of 20th century Europe have been represented on film. It is a 300-level class with no prior expertise. The goal is for students to learn both about communist societies as well as using film to study history.

HIST 399Y.  Weimar Germany on Film   (3).

Introduces students to the history of Weimar Germany as it has been depicted on film. In this course, students concern themselves with the historical nature of the interwar era in Germany and its representation on the silver screen.

HIST 399Z.  Nazism and the Third Reich   (3).

Cross-listed as HIST 599AI. Introduces the history of Nazism in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. Focuses on the political, social and cultural manifestations of Nazism, and the consequences for both German society and the wider world down to the present day.

HIST 481N.  Internship   (1-3).

Complements and enhances the student's academic program by providing an opportunity to apply and acquire knowledge in a workplace environment as an intern. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

HIST 500.  Your Family in History   (3).

Cross-listed as HIST 225. Bridges the gap between history and genealogy through demonstrations of the kinds of research techniques available to those who are interested in creating a family history. Students demonstrate understanding of these techniques in a family history project.

HIST 501.  American Colonies   (3).

General education humanities course. Colonization of the New World emphasizing the British colonists and their development.

HIST 502.  American Revolution and the Early Republic   (3).

General education humanities course. Examination of selected phases of the Revolutionary, Confederation and Federal periods.

HIST 503.  The Age of Jefferson and Jackson   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines the eras of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson; that is roughly the period from 1800 to 1850. During that time, the United States experienced tremendous territorial growth, cultural ferment and reform movements, engaged in two major international wars and a number of Indian conflicts, and moved toward the sectional showdown over slavery that culminated in a bloody civil war. Focuses on political, social and military history, as America expanded from the Mississippi River across the North American continent.

HIST 504.  Civil War   (3).

General education humanities course. Explores the origins and history of the bloodiest war this nation has ever fought. Students study antebellum America, focusing on the sectional differences between North and South, the institution of slavery, the abolitionist crusade, and the battlefields of the Civil War.

HIST 505.  The United States, 1865 to 1920   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines the political, economic, social and cultural developments during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Students read articles, books, and primary documents to trace the experiences of the American nation and people as they transform from a growing nation into a global power with special focus on topics such as Reconstruction, political and economic corruption and reform, industrialization, the development and mechanization of the trans-Mississippi West; the rise of corporations, railroads, cities and the American State; and the challenges of African-Americans, immigrants and women. In the end, students should walk away from the course with a better, more in-depth understanding of the history of, and major historical debates concerning, the Gilded Age and Progressive Era in the United States.

HIST 507.  United States 1900-1945   (3).

General education humanities course. Major topics explored include World War I, the Great Depression and World War II. While this period in U.S. history is noteworthy for conflict, consensus in the form of Progressivism, the New Deal, and the emergence of the modern presidency also characterize these decades. Examines political leadership as a major component of the course. Emphasizes "history from the bottom up" as the lives of ordinary Americans are examined.

HIST 508.  United States Since 1945   (3).

General education humanities course. In this time period, the United States emerged as a world leader. Although the Cold War became a defining force both at home and abroad, "hot" wars in Korea and Vietnam also produced social, economic and political repercussions in the United Sates. Course explores major issues and events of the period with a focus on international relations, the Civil Rights Movement, and the growth of the imperial presidency.

HIST 510.  20th Century African American History   (3).

Cross-listed as ETHS 381E. The 20th century witnessed a dramatic transformation of the African-American community. As the century began, the vast majority of African-Americans lived in the rural South. At century's end, the vast majority of African-Americans lived in urban areas across the U.S. Besides the demographic relocation of black America, the 20th century also witnessed the Black Freedom Movement (comprised of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements), which dramatically changed the social, economic and political status of blacks. Course examines these and other aspects of the African-American experience during the pivotal 20th century. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 511.  Women in Early America, 1600-1830   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as WOMS 511. Focuses on women and gender in U.S. history between 1600 and 1830 by examining the lives, experiences, and interactions with social, political and economic systems of women. Students read articles, books and primary documents that examine women’s experiences from the first colonial contact with Native Americans to the dawn of the first women’s movement in the 19th century. Focuses specifically on colonization, regionalism, the roles of race and ethnicity in the construction of gender, women in religious life, the impact of the American Revolution, Republican Motherhood, and women’s contributions to the public sphere and market economy. In the end, students should walk away with an understanding of women in early U.S. history and of the major historical debates concerning women’s and gender history. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 512.  Women and Reform in America, 1830-Present   (3).

General education humanities course. Focuses on women, gender and reform in U.S. history from 1830 to 2000 by examining the lives, experiences, and interactions with social, political and economic systems of women. Students read articles, books and primary documents that examine women’s experiences from the emergence of a domestic economy in the 1830s to 21st century popular culture with specific focus on topics such as the Cult of True Womanhood, slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction, Progressivism, suffrage, WWII, postwar feminism, and popular culture. In the end, students should walk away with an understanding of women in early U.S. history and of the major historical debates concerning women’s and gender history. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 513.  History of United States and the Modern Middle East   (3).

General education humanities course. Introduces U.S. relations with the Middle East from the early 20th century to the present. Discusses the fraught redrawing of the map of the Middle East after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and considers the role of the U.S. in the region, especially focusing on American missionary and business interests in the region before World War II, including the founding of ARAMCO. Examines events in the latter half of the 20th century, including U.S. competition with the Soviets for regional clients and U.S. engagement with regional revolutionary nationalist movements such as those in Israel-Palestine, Iran, Iraq and Libya. Students discuss oil politics, peace processes, approaches to refugees and human rights issues, the rise of Al-Qaeda, attacks of September 11th, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that have become the longest wars in U.S. history. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 514.  History of the Modern Middle East   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines the emergence of the Modern Middle East from the Ottoman Era to the present. Begins by examining 19th century institutions and considering Middle Eastern political innovations during the late 19th century, especially those rooted in the emergence of nationalism and transforming expectations for the relationship between governments and the people. Focuses upon these two transformations, tracing them through the 20th century, and examines the impact of colonization, World War I, Palestinian and Israeli nationalism, secular ideologies like Arab nationalism and socialism, Nasserism, Islamism and political revolutions in the region. Course features a wide array of source material beyond the texts including articles, literature, film, music and digital archives. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 515.  Economic History of the United States   (3).

Cross-listed as ECON 627. Analysis of the basic factors in economic growth. Explores agriculture, trade and commerce, industrial development and the changing role of the government in economic activity. Prerequisite(s): ECON 201 and junior standing.

HIST 517.  United States Constitutional History to 1865   (3).

General education humanities course. The evolution of the American constitutional system from English and Colonial origins through the Civil War.

HIST 517H.  United States Constitutional History to 1865 Honors   (3).

General education humanities course. The evolution of the American constitutional system from English and Colonial origins through the Civil War.

HIST 518.  United States Constitutional History from 1865   (3).

General education humanities course. American constitutional development from Reconstruction to the present.

HIST 518H.  United States Constitutional History from 1865 Honors   (3).

General education humanities course. American constitutional development from Reconstruction to the present.

HIST 519.  Introduction to Local and Community History   (3).

Introduces the study of local history and community history. Discusses the various venues through which local and community history takes place including historic preservation, archival administration, museum studies, documentary work and writing for a variety of audiences. Students learn relevant practices as well as issues that face those who study local topics and/or specific communities. Prerequisite(s): graduate standing or instructor's consent.

HIST 519H.  Introduction to Local and Community History Honors   (3).

Introduces the study of local history and community history. Discusses the various venues through which local and community history takes place including historic preservation, archival administration, museum studies, documentary work and writing for a variety of audiences. Students learn relevant practices as well as issues that face those who study local topics and/or specific communities. Prerequisite(s): graduate standing or instructor's consent.

HIST 522.  United States Foreign Relations Since 1898   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines U.S. foreign relations from the wars of 1898 through the Forever Wars of the early 21st century. Examines topics including war in the Philippines, colonialism, World Wars, technology and warfare, the Cold War, humanitarian intervention, U.S. involvement in civil conflicts, oil politics, and drone warfare. Students consider how ideas about race, religion and modernization influenced the rise and exercise of U.S. power abroad. Throughout, the course contextualizes U.S. foreign relations within and their global context. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 523.  Special Topics in History   (3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 523A, 523B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course. These upper division courses in history are taken individually with a given instructor. Each lettered course may be taken only twice for credit toward a history major or master’s in history.

HIST 525.  American Military History   (3).

General education humanities course. Surveys the American military heritage and its role in shaping the modern United States. Studies the history of warfare from frontier conflicts during the Colonial period through Desert Storm, focusing on the most significant wars and battles, and the evolution of military institutions and their impact on American social, economic and political traditions.

HIST 527.  African-American Business History   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as ETHS 527. Surveys the history of African-Americans as entrepreneurs and business people. Drawing from a commercial tradition dating back to pre-trans-Atlantic Africa, business minded blacks overcame a variety of obstacles (such as slavery and Jim Crow segregation) to establish a commercial presence in America. Besides chronicling these efforts, the course also examines why African-American business history has traditionally received minimal attention in both the realms of American business history and African-American history. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 528.  History of Wichita   (3).

General education humanities course. A history of Wichita, Kansas, 1865-present, emphasizing the lessons of local history for future planning and its importance to an individual citizen's sense of place.

HIST 530.  The American Woman in History   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as WOMS 530. Examines the history, status and changing role of women in American society. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 531.  American Environmental History   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines the historical, physical, economic, scientific, technological and industrial interactions of the peoples of America with their environment. Emphasizes the period 1800-present. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 535.  History of Kansas   (3).

General education humanities course. History of the Kansas region from Spanish exploration to the present, emphasizing the period after 1854.

HIST 536.  Survey of American Indian History   (3).

General education humanities course. Surveys the history of Native American nations from prehistoric times to the present. Includes the process of European colonization and indigenous responses, the strategies of accommodation, assimilation and resistance, and the resurgence of tribalism in the 20th century. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 541.  Modern France   (3).

General education humanities course. History of the major trends in French history from Napoleon to DeGaulle emphasizing French attempts to adjust politically, socially, economically and culturally to the changing conditions of modern industrial society.

HIST 542.  Religion in America   (3).

Cross-listed as REL 542. Surveys various religious traditions in American history from Colonial times to the present. Discusses how religions, groups, beliefs and issues have changed over time and how they interact with each other. Includes the different branches of Christianity and Judaism, the study of awakenings and revivals, the stories of prominent religious thinkers and leaders, immigrant religious traditions, the tensions between liberal and traditional religious forms, the prophetic and apocalyptic traditions in American, and the impact of Native American, Asian and African beliefs and practices on the religious landscape.

HIST 543.  Law and American Society   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines the role that law plays in American society from the early Colonial settlements through the 20th century. Examines the connection between law and society in four parts: crime and punishment in early America; property, economy and American identity; the 15th Amendment and questions of female citizenship; and the origins of the Civil Rights movement. By looking at laws and court cases in the larger context of American social history, students gain a fuller understanding of the impact and influence that law has on the development of American society. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 543H.  Law and American Society Honors   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines the role that law plays in American society from the early Colonial settlements through the 20th century. Examines the connection between law and society in four parts: crime and punishment in early America; property, economy and American identity; the 15th Amendment and questions of female citizenship; and the origins of the Civil Rights movement. By looking at laws and court cases in the larger context of American social history, students gain a fuller understanding of the impact and influence that law has on the development of American society. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 544.  American Law and Film   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as HNRS 305S. American popular culture has demonstrated an enduring fascination with lawyers, the law and the legal system. Course focuses on the portrayal of attorneys and the legal system in films. Uses films as a lens through which to examine the American criminal and civil justice systems, lawyers and legal education, and social and civil rights, while considering how film helps shape public perception of lawyers, creates viewer expectations regarding law and justice, and may influence the conduct of practicing attorneys and judges. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 546.  An LGBTQ+ History of the United States   (3).

General education humanities course. Explores the historical development of institutions, ideals, social and cultural transformations, and economic and political processes in the U.S. since European colonization with a focus on the how of the evolution of sexual and gender diversity. The approach is intersectional, always considering gender and sexual diversity as they intersect with race, class and other forms of social difference and power. Students come to appreciate continuities and changes in the meanings and implications of sexual and gender diversity over time and across social contexts of indigeneity, settler colonialism, urbanization and industrialization, social and scientific modernization, the development of municipal and state power, the elaboration of the U.S. nation-state, immigration, the proliferation of mass culture, developments in family formation, and social movements for justice, rights and liberation. Moreover, students make connections between historical and contemporary social practices, discourses, cultural expressions and institutional formations related to sexual and gender diversity. Key areas of focus are the emergence and elaboration of the modern formations of homosexuality, heterosexuality, bisexuality and transness as well as contemporary identity and political categories of straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 547.  Law and Modern American Civil Rights   (3).

General education humanities course. Examines what it means to have civil rights, what it means when people talk about civil rights, and how the concept of civil rights has changed over time. Examines marginalized groups who have struggled for civil rights in the 20th century and who all used the language of civil rights to draw attention to their movements. Through legislative and judicial decisions, as well as social movements and nonviolent protest, students begin to see the complexities inherit in the concept of civil rights and its modern promises of ‘due process’ and ‘equal protection’. In the end, students gain a greater understanding of civil rights, as well as an ability to identify civil rights struggles throughout American history. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 548.  The Evolution of Warfare I: Pre-History through the Middle Ages   (3).

Explores the origins and evolution of military conflict from the ancient world to the High Middle Ages. Students read and discuss a number of sources to analyze the strategic, operational and tactical evolution of warfare over time; through this analysis, students better understand the influence of warfare on the political, social, economic, technologic and cultural aspects of human history. Areas of study include conflicts and wars in the Stone Age world; the seminal eastern and western empires of the Bronze and early Iron Ages; the classical civilizations of the Iron Ages, including Greece and Rome; the European ‘Dark Ages’ and the rise of Islam; and the kingdoms of the western and eastern Feudal period prior to widespread use of gunpowder and firearms. Special attention is given to the evolution of missile and shock technologies over time and how they were used in offensive and defensive warfare, both on land and at sea, to achieve social, political and religious objectives. Class presentation includes lecture, discussion, primary readings and audio-visual material.

HIST 549.  The Evolution of Warfare II: Renaissance to Present   (3).

Explores the origins and evolution of military conflict from the High Middle Ages to the present day. Students read and discuss a number of sources to analyze the strategic, operational and tactical evolution of warfare over time; through this analysis, students better understand the influence of warfare on the political, social, economic, technologic and cultural aspects of human history. Areas of study include conflicts and wars from the advent of gunpowder and the Military Revolution, the Wars of Religion and National Expansion, the Wars of Revolution, the impact of the Industrial Revolution and rise of mass armies and navies, the introduction of the airplane, the impact of the use of nuclear weapons and space and information systems. Special attention is given to the evolution of missile and shock technologies over time and how they were used in offensive and defensive warfare, both on land, at sea and in the air to achieve social, political and religious objectives. Class presentation includes lecture, discussion, primary readings and audio-visual material.

HIST 550.  Mapping and History   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as GEOG 550. This exploration of mapping and history studies how maps have shaped our understanding of the past and how our changing understandings of the past have shown up in maps. In this class, students learn to look critically at maps, what they convey, and how their own interpretations can shape mapping analysis. Students also gain an introduction to mapping technologies from hand drawn symbols on parchment to the latest in ArcGIS technology.

HIST 551.  The U.S. Army Since the Vietnam War   (3).

Cross-listed as MILS 351. Examines the history of the U.S. Army after the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Examines how the U.S. Army was shaped by the Vietnam War and its aftermath, and how that Army responded to the loss of the United States’ only near-peer competitor with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Examines the competing strains of thought on the Army’s future through the competing lenses of its 1990s low-intensity conflict military interventions and its struggle to modernize in an era of shrinking budgets. Concludes by examining how these events shaped the U.S. Army’s performance in the ongoing wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

HIST 553.  History of Mexico   (3).

General education humanities course. Considers the history of Mexico, beginning in the pre-colonial past and moving through the Spanish period, the War of Independence and the Mexican Revolution, and into the early 21st century. Emphasis is placed on the nation’s political, economic and social development, and cultural production(s) are introduced that help students grapple with questions of national identity. This course also focuses on developing students’ critical reading, thinking and writing skills. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 555.  U.S. and Mexico Borderlands   (3).

The United States and Mexico share a 2,000 mile long border, a region rich with history and rife with complexity. This course puts that border in historical perspective beginning with the Spanish Colonial period and moving into the modern era, analyzing how the region has long been a zone of conquest, accommodation, difference and exchange. Course includes diversity content.

HIST 581.  Europe 1789-1870   (3).

General education humanities course. A focused survey of European social, cultural and political history from 1789-1870. Among the topics covered are the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, industrialization, Romanticism, nationalism, liberalism, socialism, the revolutions of 1848, and the role of women in European society.

HIST 582.  Europe 1871-1945   (3).

General education humanities course. A focused survey of European history between the years 1871-1945. Among the subjects covered are the phenomena of nation building and the imperial project, the rise and growth of European socialism, the emergence of a "mass society," the role of women and minorities, the origins and impact of World War I, inter-war politics and diplomacy, the Nazi Era, and World War II.

HIST 583.  Europe 1945-Present   (3).

A survey of European history, 1945-present.

HIST 588.  Medieval Russia   (3).

General education humanities course. Covers the history of the earliest Russian state from the seventh century c.e. to the sixteenth century. It examines the political, social and economic developments throughout the period. It also includes the role of the Mongol Empire in Russian history.

HIST 589.  History of Imperial Russia   (3).

General education humanities course. A survey of the political, social and cultural history of Imperial Russia.

HIST 592.  History of Soviet Union   (3).

General education humanities course. A survey of Soviet history from the Bolshevik Revolution to the present.

HIST 599.  Experimental Course   (3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 599A, 599B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

HIST 599AB.  World War I in Film   (3).

A study of how filmmakers have portrayed World War I over the years. Students watch and discuss films from different eras and different perspectives to explore how the same topic can be interpreted in different ways.

HIST 599AD.  Interwar Europe   (3).

A study of Europe from the end of the First World War through the onset of the Second. Topics include the breakup of old empires to form new nation states; the rise of communism and fascism; and the struggle between monarchy, democracy and authoritarianism. Other themes include social and cultural movements, political changes, and shifting ethnic and national identities.

HIST 599AE.  1960s in Europe   (3).

Cross-listed as HIST 399AE. The 1960s evoke considerable debate: were they a period of emancipation? Or were they an era of disorder? This course explores the politics, social movements and cultural phenomenon which emerged during the 1960s in both Eastern and Western Europe. We will pay particular attention to how contemporaries made sense of the changes they were experiencing, and how they strove to translate youthful energy and activism into sustained cultural change. Above all, this course seeks to examine what was the meaning of the 1960s and what were its consequences.

HIST 599AF.  Vietnam Conflict in Film   (3).

Cross-listed as HIST 399AF. A retrospective study of America’s longest and most divisive war. The goal of the course is to compare and contrast Hollywood’s version of the war, which may be highly romanticized and subjective, with what professional historians and documentaries have said. It is anticipated that the students’ knowledge and understanding of the war will be enhanced, and their critical viewing skills sharpened. Students will view a series of film, documentary as well as feature films, that deal with the war. These films will provide an in-depth treatment of several selected topics. Each viewing will be preceded by a lecture providing background and will be followed by class discussion about the merits, accuracy, and interpretation provided in the feature film.

HIST 599AI.  Nazism and the Third Reich   (3).

Cross-listed as HIST 399Z. Introduces the history of Nazism in Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. Focuses on the political, social and cultural manifestations of Nazism, and the consequences for both German society and the wider world down to the present day.

HIST 599AK.  Constitutional Criminal Justice in the 21st Century   (3).

Cross-listed as CJ 500, POLS 500. Unlike CJ 320 Criminal Procedure that provides only an overview of constitutional principles while concentrating on general criminal law procedures, this course more deeply examines the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th amendments to the United States Constitution and how their requirements affect practitioners and citizens alike. The course uses seminal Supreme Court cases to provide deep understanding of constitutional law and why society requires our criminal justice system to seek justice, to reflect reasonableness, and to respect the concepts of liberty and individual rights, while at the same time recognizing societal authority and its dual needs of security and redress for crime victims. The course recognizes the importance of the Rule of Law in a representative democracy.

HIST 698.  Historiography   (3).

Required of undergraduate history majors. This capstone course engages students in a systematic analysis of major historians and schools of historical thought. Class assignments and discussions encourage students to examine their own ideas about history as an academic discipline. Prerequisite(s): 12 upper-division hours in history or instructor's consent.

HIST 703.  Museum Administration   (3).

Addresses the many facets of museum administration from a specialist's point of view. Covers collecting, management, law and ethics, and resource development. Gives a close view of the operations of American museums.

HIST 725.  Advanced Historical Methods   (3).

Reviews basic historical research methods, the general character of field bibliographies and recent interpretations, and the techniques of professional narrative development. Required of graduate degree students during their first year of enrollment. Fulfills the university's professional and scholarly integrity training requirement covering research misconduct, publication practices and responsible authorship, conflict of interest and commitment, ethical issues in data acquisition, management, sharing and ownership. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

HIST 727.  Readings In History   (1-3).

Arranged individual independent readings in specialized content areas under the supervision of a faculty member. Readings in ancient, medieval, modern, European and American field bibliographies. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

HIST 730.  Seminar American History   (3).

A graduate seminar that covers a specific topic in the history of the Americas that varies per the specialty of the instructor. Seminars focus largely on group readings, writing and discussions. Students select a topic of their own to study that falls within the themes of the class as a final project. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

HIST 733.  Seminar European History   (3).

A graduate seminar that covers a specific topic regarding historical subjects outside of the Americas, typically Europe, and varies per the specialty of the instructor. Seminars focus largely on group readings, writing and discussions. Students select a topic of their own to study that falls within the themes of the class as a final project. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

HIST 750.  Workshop in History   (2-3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 750A, 750B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course. Does not satisfy requirements for history majors.

HIST 781.  Cooperative Education   (1-2).

Graduate history students participate in internship experiences through the cooperative education program. May substitute for HIST 803. A maximum of 4 credit hours of any combination of HIST 803 and HIST 781 may count toward degree requirements with permission from the program area. Prerequisite(s): instructor's consent.