History Department Course Offerings

Fall 2013

This course aims to provide students with an introduction to the discipline and methodologies of history through the study of the relationship of the West to non-Western societies in the contemporary world.  Attention is focused on understanding the unique events and trends of the 20th century and their political, social, economic, literary and artistic antecedents in the previous century.  (CORE: DH).

All History and History Education majors who entered Siena under the 2008-2009 catalog must complete (pass) this course by the end of their senior year.  It is a departmental requirement for graduation.  The course is designed to give History and History Education majors an opportunity to experience history-related activities beyond the normal classroom.  To complete this requirement, students must consult their advisor about an experience and complete the departmental forms.  See the catalog for examples of what may qualify to fulfill the requirement.  The course is graded P/F and carries 0 credits.

This is the honors level section of HIST101.  Permission is required.

The purpose of this course is to analyze the Western Tradition as it evolved from the Greeks to the Italian Renaissance; to understand and appreciate non-Western civilizations and their encounters with the West; to examine the human condition over time, both the role of the powerful and the powerless.

This is the second of two courses dealing with world history offered at Siena College (I do not include here HIST101, The Shaping of the Contemporary World). It covers the period between the emergence of the modern world, starting in 1500 C.E. and the advent of the twentieth century. This is a broad survey that emphasizes certain themes: the increasing contacts among civilizations, “technology and the environment,” and “diversity and dominance.”

Course Objectives:

(1) to introduce the student to the broad patterns in the emergence of human societies and of an increasingly integrated world;

(2) to allow students to appreciate the importance of technology and the environment in human history;

(3) to appreciate the diversity of human societies and the tragic effects of their efforts to dominate one another

(4) to engage in the skills of analysis, synthesis, and comparison in historical studies

This course explores American history from early European settlement through the end of the Civil War in 1865.  Some of the key topics for this course include: the reasons for and the nature of settlement in the various colonies; the collision of English and Native American cultures; the origins and development of African slavery in North America; the development of distinctly American political, social, and economic institutions; the ideology of American Independence; the creation of a new political order; economic and geographic expansion; growing sectional division; and the causes of the Civil War.  These topics will be explored from political, economic, and social perspectives.  Tentative requirements will include substantial reading from a survey text, a document reader, and one or two monographs, a mid-term examination, a final examination, class participation, a class debate, and two short papers.

A survey of the political, economic, cultural, and social history of the United States from 1865 to the present. In particular, this class will look at the concept of “freedom” as it has changed from Reconstruction in the late 19th century to the “War on Terror” in the early 21st century. All Americans claim to value “freedom” or “liberty,” but what do we mean by these words? We will consider not just the meaning of freedom at home, but how the United States has both promoted and undermined these ideals abroad. Required reading: Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty!: An American History, Volume II, Brief 3rd Edition, Eric Foner, Voices of Freedom: A Documentary History, Volume II, 3rd Edition, and a monograph (TBD). Assignments include daily writing exercises, three essay exams, a primary source essay, and a book review.

Students will investigate the geological and geographical settings; the history, cultures, and significance of the native Algonquian and Iroquoian peoples; The Dutch and English periods of the colonial era; the role of immigrants, economics, religion and reform movements; and the place of New York in the arts, literature and science.

Attention will naturally be paid to the place of New York in the Federal Union and its contributions to such events as The Civil War, national politics, and social change.

Students will become familiar with an array of important New Yorkers, ranging from Susan B. Anthony to John Peter Zenger.  We will contemplate the amazing ethnic diversity found in New York from earliest times, and the vastly different urban, rural and suburban settings in which New Yorkers have lived and worked.

This is the first of two courses dealing with the history of the Middle East offered here at Siena College.  It covers the period between about 600 and 1800, provides the student with the historical knowledge to appreciate the foundations of the modern experience of Middle Eastern peoples, and seeks to offer broad generalizations rather than a highly specialized and narrowly-focused approach.  No specialized preparation or prerequisite is needed.  Curiosity and a willingness to work with unfamiliar and new materials are essential. Course objectives:

(1) to introduce the student to a major world region with a long history and tradition;

(2) to illumine present conditions at least in part by acquiring knowledge and understanding of the past;

(3) to study the region from the rise of Islam to the beginnings of modernization, with emphasis on the interplay of politics, religion, economy, and culture between 600 and 1800.

This course deals with colonial and post-colonial Africa, focusing on the period from 1875 to the present. The course will examine among other themes the following: the scramble and partition of Africa during the new imperialism of the late nineteenth century; the colonial conquest and African resistance; the impact of colonial rule on Africa and Africans in the first part of the twentieth century; the struggle for Independence in the post-world War II period; civilian and military governments in independent Africa; the challenges of modernization and development in contemporary Africa; and the role of the international community in the current economic and related problems facing many African nations. No pre-requisites to register for this class, but it is very important for each student to commit enthusiastically to grapple with new, and, sometimes unfamiliar material. Requirements: Readings--texts and novels, discussions, quizzes, mid-term examination, final examination, and a ten page research paper.

This course will familiarize the student with the persons, events and ideas that have inspired the Franciscan Movement.  The student will come to understand the background of Franciscanism in the context of the High Middle Ages, and in contrast to earlier forms of religious life within the Christian tradition.  The student will learn about the role of Franciscans in the development of western art; in higher education; in politics; in the age of exploration; and in the development of Christian Spirituality over the past 800 years.  Appropriate attention will be paid to the internal struggles of Franciscans; to the role of women in the Franciscan family; and to the place of Franciscans in the Anglican Communion. The course will culminate in a look at the founding of Siena College as a Franciscan contribution to higher education.

A survey of European history between roughly 1350 and 1500, with special emphasis on cultural change and on Italy.

The reform of western Christianity in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as Europe moved from the medieval to the modern world. Special attention will be paid to significant figures such as Luther, Calvin, and Ignatius Loyola. In this course we will examine the origins of the Reformation, the reformer’s message, and the struggles surrounding it. In addition to studying the intellectual and political conflicts, we will look at the cultural developments of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and the increasingly important contact between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

This honors course will involve students in historical analysis of Lincoln’s influence on nineteenth-century America and the ways in which he was a reflection of nineteenth-century society. Topics will include political issues such as Lincoln’s approach to civil liberties, his role as commander in chief, and his views of slavery; social issues such as his family life and reflections on gender roles; and cultural issues such as the impact of Lincoln’s speeches and his legacy. We will also examine how society viewed Lincoln. The goal of this course is not strictly to examine one important politician’s life, but to explore how the study of Lincoln can shed light on the era in which he lived. As an honors course, students are expected to complete substantial reading and engage in active discussion of material in class.

As the only non-Western nation to modernize, industrialize, and imperialize in the mode of European and American states, Japan holds a unique place in world history. This course will examine the politics, society, and culture of Japan from 1600 to 1900 in an effort to understand the challenges Japan faced in its transition to the modern era as well as those elements of the early modern Japanese polity that made such enormous change possible. Readings will include primary sources in translation. Students will lead classroom discussions for this reading and writing-intensive honors course. Additional requirements will include written responses to readings, presentations, and a series of analytical papers.

Internships are open to second-semester Juniors and Seniors who have completed a minimum  of 9 credit hours in history, including U.S. history, and who present a GPA of 2.75 or higher.  Internships involve work in local historical societies, museums, archival and resource centers, etc. The places where past interns have most often served include

¨      Historic Cherry Hill (a house museum in Albany)

¨      Rensselaer County Junior Museum,

¨      New York State Museum,

¨      Historic Albany Project-New York State Museum

¨      National Museum of Racing

¨      Saratoga National Battlefield.

Permission required from the Director of American Studies and the Head of the History Department.    Evaluation of such credit is made by the staff of the participating institution, and the Director of American Studies or a member of the History Department chosen by the Department in consultation with the Director of American Studies.  This course is cross-listed under AMST480.

SEE INTERNSHIP APPLICATION FORM ATTACHED TO BACK OF THIS COURSE GUIDE.

This seminar aims to introduce history students to both the methods and philosophical problems of history. That is why it is called a proseminar, because it is rooted in problems of a particular academic discipline. The seminar will first consider the way history is done (or history as a way of thinking), then turn to the philosophy of history and the questions historians have asked about their discipline. Students will complete readings in the theory and practice of history and assignments will include a primary source analysis, an annotated bibliography, and a research prospectus in preparation for the capstone.

The capstone course is focused on the production of a thesis paper of approximately 30 pages that will be based on primary and secondary sources.  Students will be writing and researching their own papers as well as acting as peer reviewers

DUE:  At least three working days before your registration date.  Please submit the application via Email to Dr. Mahar (kmahar@siena.edu.)

STEPS:

1. Do your research:  Please read the online information about HIST/AMST480 at www.siena.edu/history under “History and American Studies Internships.”  

2.  Check your qualifications:

Students entering the Fall of 2004:  Second-semester Juniors and Seniors who have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in history, including U.S. history, and who present at least a 3.0 GPA in History and 2.9 overall.

Students entering the Fall of 2001-Fall 2003:  Second-semester Juniors and Seniors who have completed a minimum of 9 credit hours in history, including U.S. history, and who present a GPA of 2.75 or higher

Students entering before Fall of 2001:  Permission of the Director of the American Studies Program and the head of the History Department. 

3.  Tell us who you are: 

Name_____________________________________

Major ____________________________________

Overall GPA _________  GPA in major ________

Projected graduation date_____________________

4.  Tell us why you want an internship.  Tell us 1) why you wish to take an internship rather than a regular class, 2) what you hope to gain from it, and 3) what local historical societies or museums you may be interested in.