Kentucky Wesleyan College
Academic Bulletin

History

The History Department strives to educate students to understand and appreciate the human experience, think critically and communicate effectively. The department stresses subjective examinations, term papers, independent study and practicum experience.

History is the bedrock of the liberal arts and over the past 15 years the department has helped produce 25 teachers, six attorneys, three managers, two newspaper reporters/writers, one television anchorwoman, three current graduate students, one social worker, one minister, one engineer, one retail salesman, one data management specialist, one career counselor and one staff member at the Kentucky Historical Society.

A major and a minor are offered. Most majors will pursue the bachelor of arts degree, which requires 12 hours of foreign language. In rare occasions, some few majors will pursue the bachelor of science degree.*

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR -- 60 HOURS

CORE REQUIREMENTS -- 30 HOURS

HIST 1301-1302 History of World Civilizations
HIST 1311-1312 Survey of American History
HIST 2300 Historical Methods
15 additional hours from history with no more than 18 total hours coming from American or non-American divisions
HIST 4354 Independent Study and HIST 4300 Senior Research Project often are encouraged.

SOCIAL SCIENCE COMPONENT -- 12 HOURS

12 hours from at least two of the following areas: economics, political science, sociology or geography

FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMPONENT -- 12 HOURS

12 hours in a foreign language or passage of an examination demonstrating proficiency at the intermediate level is required.

*In rare cases, six hours of computer programming may be substituted for six hours of foreign language with prior approval of the History Department.

REQUIRED SUPPORTING COURSES -- 6 HOURS

Computer proficiency. A computer science class may be required.
Proficiency in oral communication. CART 1340 Interpersonal Communication is recommended.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR -- 24 HOURS

24 hours from history
HIST 1301-1302 History of World Civilizations and HIST 1311-1312 Survey of American History are recommended

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

History 1301, 1302 -- History of World Civilization -- 3, 3 hours.
A survey of the important civilizations of the world from ancient times to the present. The first semester will deal with the period from ancient times through the beginnings of European colonization. The second semester will carry the development of the growing interdependence of the world cultures down to the present day.

History 1311, 1312 -- Survey of American History -- 3, 3 hours.
The political, institutional, social, and cultural development of the American nation from the colonial period to the present. First semester; the development through Reconstruction (1876); second semester, from 1877 to present.

History 2300 -- Historical Methods -- 3 hours.
The course will comprise an introduction to concepts, methods and issues in American and non-American history. We will examine the differing approaches to the past, the ways historical interpretations have changed (and how those changes are related to contemporary concerns), and the ways that historical training can be put to use in the real world. This course is required for majors and highly recommended for minors.

History 3310 -- 20th Century Russia -- 3 hours.
Russian development since the 1905 Revolution emphasizing initially the Communist struggle for power and stability, foreign policy and economic planning. The latter part of the course examines the collapse of the Communist state, the evolving CIS and Eastern European order.

History 3311 -- History of the South -- 3 hours.
The unique nature of the South's historical experiences with concentration upon contemporary political, economic and social problems.

History 3315 -- Renaissance and Reformation -- 3 hours.
The transition in Europe from 1300 through 1648 with emphasis upon the outstanding secular and religious movements and institutions.

History 3331 -- Colonial Period of the United States -- 3 hours.
Development of the American colonies from the perspectives of politics, economics, society, and religion and an examination of the causes of the American Revolution.

History 3333 -- The American Civil War and Reconstruction -- 3 hours.
The causes of the Civil War and its impact on the nation through the Reconstruction Period; i.e., an analysis of the era as the beginning of modern America.

History 3334 -- Twentieth Century Europe -- 3 hours.
A study of the political, economic, social, diplomatic and artistic changes which have occurred since 1900. Emphasis on Western Europe.

History 3341 -- American Diplomatic History -- 3 hours.
History of the foreign policy of the United States with attention to the organizational and constitutional provision for its conduct. (see POLS 3341)

History 3352 -- Constitutional Law I -- 3 hours.
Major constitutional principles and decisions, and the consequences of rulings within the context of American history, colonial period through Reconstruction. History 1311 as a prerequisite or companion course is recommended. Cross-reference with POLS 3352.

History 3353 -- Constitutional Law II -- 3 hours.
Major constitutional principles and decisions, and the consequences of rulings within the context of American history, late Reconstruction period to contemporary. History 1312 as a prerequisite or companion course is recommended. Cross-reference with POLS 3353.

History 3355 -- History of Kentucky -- 3 hours.
The development of Kentucky life and achievement, with an investigation of its contribution to national history. Comparisons of Kentucky and other states are given some attention.

History 3370 -- The Middle East, Past and Present -- 3 hours.
This course covers the Middle East from earliest times to the present. The course emphasizes, but is not restricted to, the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Cross-reference with POLS 3370.

History 3375 -- African-American History -- 3 hours.
This course will examine the origins and evolution of African-American culture in America. We will study the political, economic and social aspect of African-American life, as well as black scientific, philosophical, literary and artistic attainments.

History 3381-3382 -- History of England -- 3, 3 hours.
The rise and development of the British nation from the earliest times to the present, with emphasis on institutional, economic, social and religious aspects of English life. First semester: prehistory through 1715; second semester: 1715 to the present.

History 3390 -- Topics in History -- 3 hours.
Subject matter will vary, depending on the instructor and student interest. The schedule of course offerings will specify the subject of the course. Recent topics were ``Women's History'' and ``History of America at War: Five Case Studies''.

History 4300 -- Senior Research Project -- 3 hours.
A capstone course designed to give select students the opportunity to combine campus research with a field trip to a research university.

History 4301 -- The United States, 1900-1945 -- 3 hours.
An in-depth examination of the political, economic, social and diplomatic changes taking place in the United States from the beginnings of the Progressive Era to the end of World War II.

History 4302 -- The United States Since 1945 -- 3 hours.
A study of the many factors that have shaped the contemporary United States.

History 4154-4354 -- Independent Study -- 1-3 hours.
Upper level history majors work on special research or reading problems.

History 4395 -- Practicum in History -- 3 hours.
A career-oriented program which gives the student an opportunity to work in a history-related professional activity for a semester, such as the Kentucky Room of the Owensboro-Daviess County Library, the Owensboro Area Museum, or similar location. Students will receive experience in a variety of professional and pre-professional responsibilities.

Back to Courses of Instruction

11/10/00
dschmied@kwc.edu