History
Professor R. Pointer
Associate Professors C. Mallampalli, M. Robins (chair)
Assistant Professor A. Chapman
Description of the Major. History is the study of human activity and its meaning from the earliest times to the present. It searches for the secret of stability and change in our past. Students of history gain a perspective with which to interpret and appreciate present political, socio-economic, and cultural developments.
The study of history sharpens the analytical and critical skills essential to intelligent citizenship in today’s world. It fosters the ability to ask good questions, to understand situations from several vantage points, to maintain a spirit of moderation, and to understand and appreciate other times, people, and cultures. In studying history, students learn to communicate clearly by organizing their thoughts and defending their ideas.
The history department provides courses in a variety of geographic and topical areas in which students can develop a broad base of content, as well as familiarity with the methodology and philosophy of historical study. All courses nurture research and writing skills.
Distinctive Features. The history major provides breadth of content in the spirit of the liberal arts, as well as the depth in research training necessary to be a competent historian. Courses emphasize critical reading, discussion, and thoughtful analysis of differing interpretations. To provide additional research experience, history majors complete courses in historical method and bibliography and research which require them to work in a major research library. Students who wish to spend a semester abroad might consider the international studies track.
Faculty encourage majors to develop skills of the trade, including the traditional tools of foreign language and geography, and the increasingly important expertise in statistics.
Career Choices. Traditionally, a history major has led to a teaching career in elementary or secondary schools, or via graduate school, in a college. History is also excellent preparation for professional training in law, business, management, government service, the ministry, and missions. Its emphasis on research and writing produces clear thinking and cogent articulation, which are valuable commodities in any career.
Requirements for a Major: 40-52 units
A. Standard Track: 40 units
Required Courses: 12 units
HIS 1 Introduction to History (4)
HIS 9 World Civilizations to 1750 (4)
HIS 198 Historical Method, Bibliography, and Research (4)
Required Upper-Division Courses: 20 units
One of the following: (4) Modern Europe
HIS 140 European Politics and Diplomacy Since 1789 (4)
HIS 141 European Society and Culture Since 1789 (4)
HIS 142 European Intellectual History, 1650-Present (4)
One of the following: (4) United States
HIS 171 Colonial and Revolutionary America (4)
HIS 173 Civil War and Reconstruction America (4)
HIS 175 Recent America (4)
One of the following: (4) Early Modern Europe
HIS 121 Medieval Mediterranean (4)
HIS 133 European States and Peoples, 1350-1750 (4)
HIS 134 European Intellectual and Cultural History, 1350-1650 (4)
Two of the following: (4) Non-Western/Non-U.S.
HIS 161 Latin America to Independence (4)
HIS 162 Modern and Contemporary Latin America (4)
HIS 180 The Islamic World, 600-1500 (4)
HIS 181 The Islamic World, 1500-Present (4)
HIS 182 History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (4)
HIS 184 History of Christianity in Asia (4)
HIS 185 Imperialism and Independence (4)
HIS 186 Modern South Asia (4)
Additional HIS Electives: 8 units
B. Graduate School Track: 48 units
Completion of the Standard Track (40 units).
Completion of 8 units of Intermediate Modern Foreign Language (8 units)
Recommended: completion of a major honors project supervised by the History Department.
C. International Studies Track: 52 units
Students must complete their work with an emphasis on either Latin America or Europe.
Requirements in history (36 units)
HIS 1 Introduction to History (4)
HIS 9 World Civilizations to 1750 (4)
HIS 198 Historical Method, Bibliography, and Research (4)
20 units of upper-division history
8 units of upper-division history in geographic area of study
8 units of upper-division history outside the chosen geographic area of study
Requirements in foreign language (12 units)
12 units of foreign language appropriate to geographic area of study, 4 units of which must be in literature or culture
Requirements in related fields (4 units)
4 units of upper-division related coursework in Social Science or Humanities appropriate to geographic area of study (course must be pre-approved by history department)
Requirement of off-campus learning
Students will complete one semester (12-16 units) in an overseas program approved by your major advisor, in consultation with the Off-Campus Programs office. This semester should include at least two courses that are part of your major program.
Secondary Education Teacher Track: 52 units
Required Lower-Division Courses: 28 units
HIS 1 Introduction to History (4)
HIS 7 United States to 1877 (4)
HIS 8 United States 1877-Present (4)
HIS 9 World Civilizations to 1750 (4)
POL 10 American Government (4)
EB 11 Principles of Macroeconomics (4)
EB 12 Principles of Microeconomics (4)
Required Upper-Division Courses: 24 units
One of the following: (4)
HIS 178 California Experience (4)
HIS 179 California History and Literature (4)
One of the following: (4)
HIS 171 Colonial and Revolutionary America (4)
HIS 173 Civil War and Reconstruction America (4)
HIS 175 Recent America (4)
HIS 198 Historical Method, Bibliography, and Research (4)
One upper-division course in European history (4)
One upper-division course in Non-Western history (4)
One upper-division elective in history (4)
Recommended Courses:
ENG 106 Language Acquisition (4)
ED 105 Perspectives on Cultural Diversity and Education (4)
ED 130 Special Education for the Classroom Teacher (2)
ED 161 Computers for the Classroom Teacher: Secondary (2)
KNS 156 Health Education for the Classroom Teacher (2)
Additional course work in American politics, international politics, the American economy, and the global economy.
Requirements for a Minor: 20 units
Required Lower-Division Course: 4 units
HIS 1 Introduction to History (4)
Required Upper-Division Courses: 16 units
One of the following: (4)
HIS 140 European Politics and Diplomacy Since 1789 (4)
HIS 141 European Society and Culture Since 1789 (4)
HIS 142 European Intellectual History, 1650-Present (4)
One of the following: (4)
HIS 171 Colonial and Revolutionary America (4)
HIS 173 Civil War and Reconstruction America (4)
HIS 175 Recent America (4)
One of the following: (4)
HIS 121 Medieval Mediterranean (4)
HIS 133 European States and Peoples, 1350-1750 (4)
HIS 134 European Intellectual and Cultural History, 1350-1650 (4)
One of the following: (4)
HIS 161 Latin America to Independence (4)
HIS 162 Modern and Contemporary Latin America (4)
HIS 180 The Islamic World, 600-1500 (4)
HIS 181 The Islamic World, 1500-Present (4)
HIS 182 History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (4)
HIS 184 History of Christianity in Asia (4)
HIS 185 Imperialism and Independence (4)
HIS 186 Modern South Asia (4)
Lower-Division Course Descriptions
HIS 1 Introduction to History (4) An introduction to the discipline of history. Includes development of research, analytical, and synthetic skills. Requires evaluation, organization, and writing.
HIS 7 United States to 1877 (4) A survey of America’s political, economic, social, and cultural development from the first encounters of Europeans and Native Americans through the Civil War and Reconstruction.
HIS 8 United States 1877-Present (4) A survey of America’s political, economic, social, and cultural development from the aftermath of Reconstruction through the present.
HIS 9 World Civilizations to 1750 (4) A survey of world civilizations from earliest times to 1750. Exposes students to the historical development of a range of Western and non-Western cultures and emphasizes global contacts in all historical eras. Given the number of elementary teaching candidates enrolled in this class, careful attention is given to the content required by the State of California, as delineated in Appendix A of the Standards of Program Quality and Effectiveness for the Subject Matter Requirement for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and the History-Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools, K-12.
HIS 10 Perspectives on World History (4) An exploration of world history during the early modern and modern eras. Students will consider key themes and texts across a range of world cultures and will be encouraged to develop a thoughtful and historical approach to cultural diversity while gaining a narrative understanding of the sweep of world history. The course will expose students to various Christian perspectives within and upon world history, as well as multiple other perspectives on the past.
HIS 12 Greece (4) The Mycenaean period to the Roman conquest. Emphasizes political and cultural influence on the Western world.
HIS 46 Russia, 1700 to Present (4) Development of Russian society and culture since Peter the Great. Exploration of continuity and change from Czarist period to the fall of the Soviet Union.
HIS 83 Modern China and Japan (4) Political, economic, and cultural development of China and Japan from 1850 to the present.
HIS 91 Topics in Women’s History (4) An introductory class focusing on a consideration of recent theoretical and methodological trends in women’s studies, as well as the history of women in a particular geographical area. Geographical area will be rotated.
Upper-Division Course Descriptions
HIS 121 Medieval Mediterranean (4) A cross-cultural study of Byzantine, Islamic and Western civilizations between the first crusade and the capture of Constantinople (1085-1204). Explores themes related to the individual history of each region (political, religious, and social structures) as well as the interactions between the three civilizations (holy war, commerce, cultural and artistic exchanges).
HIS 133 European States and Peoples, 1350-1750 (4) A political and social history of Europe from Black Death to the First Industrial Revolution. Special emphasis on national histories, the Italian city-states, the impactof the Reformations, and the growth of national monarchies. The course takes a transnational perspective on social changes (rise of the bourgeoisie, the development of capitalism, and changes affecting class structure).
HIS 134 European Intellectual and Cultural History, 1350-1650 (4) From the Italian Renaissance to Modern Science. Special emphasis on Humanism and the Reformation movements. The class will also examine questions related to mentalities and the interaction between popular and high cultures.
HIS 140 European Politics and Diplomacy Since 1789 (4) A study of the major nation states of Europe and their interaction from the French Revolution through the fall of the Soviet Union.
HIS 141 European Society and Culture Since 1789 (4) A study of continuity and change at the level of daily life during the modern period. Explores such themes as the development of new types of political discourse, the impact of the industrial revolution, the secularization thesis, the impact of total war, and the reinvention of tradition.
HIS 142 European Intellectual History, 1650-Present (4) A survey of classic works of the history of ideas since 1650.
HIS 149/PY 149 Philosophy of History (4) Speculative and critical philosophy of history. Evaluates attempts to discern a pattern of meaning in history. Studies problems of historical understanding and objectivity.
HIS 151/RS 151 History of World Christianity (4) Surveys the history of Christianity from the New Testament to the present in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and from the colonial period to the present in North America and Latin America. Particular attention will be paid to intellectual, cultural, political, theological, and institutional developments in Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.
HIS 152 England, 1485 to Present (4) A survey of England from the Age of the Tudors to the present. Special emphasis on areas associated with England’s legacy in the world—including representative government, literature, industrialization, empire and humanitarian reform.
HIS 156 France, 1500 to Present (4) A survey of the many forces and events, such as religious reformations, revolutions, intellectual strife and strikes that have shaped French history. Special emphasis will be placed in the various constructions of French identity as seen through cultural sources (literature, music, art, and film).
HIS 161 Latin America to Independence (4) Latin America from pre-Columbian times through the wars of independence.
HIS 162 Modern and Contemporary Latin America (4) Nineteenth and twentieth centuries; inter-American relations; the role of Latin America in world affairs.
HIS 171 Colonial and Revolutionary America (4) A study of early American politics, society, and culture from the era of first contacts through the gaining of independence and the writing of the constitution.
HIS 173 Civil War and Reconstruction America (4) An intensive study of the United States amid sectional conflict, civil war, and Reconstruction in the mid-nineteenth century.
HIS 175 Recent America (4) A study of the United States since 1945 emphasizing key domestic and foreign developments (e.g., Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War) that have shaped the character of contemporary America.
HIS/POL 178 California Experience (4) A multidisciplinary study of the idea and experience that is California; its Spanish/Mexican roots, its colorful past, diverse present and multicultural future. Students may not earn credit for this course if they have taken HIS/ENG 179.
HIS/ENG 179 California History and Literature (4) A multidisciplinary study of California history and literature from Native American beginnings through contemporary California. Students may not earn credit for this course if they have taken HIS/POL 178.
HIS 180 The Islamic World, 600-1500 (4) An examination of the social organization, cultural expressions, and political institutions that evolved in the Middle East from the emergence of Islam to early modern times.
HIS 181 The Islamic World, 1500-Present (4) A survey of the Islamic world under the Ottoman Sultans; its varied encounters with Europe, North Africa, Safavid Iran, and Moghul India; and the subsequent wholesale political restructuring of the Middle East since the break-up of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I.
HIS 182 History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (4) An intensive study of the historical roots and contemporary realities of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
HIS 184 History of Christianity in Asia (4) An overview of the history of Christian movements in India, China, Korea and Japan. This includes a discussion of ancient Christian presence in Asia, along with the role of Catholic and Protestant missionaries and indigenous agents in the emergence of an Asian Church.
HIS 185 Imperialism and Independence (4) An exploration of the ideology and politics of British imperialism during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, along with “anti-imperial” movements in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Special attention is given to cultural, religious and intellectual responses to colonial modernity by non-Western peoples.
HIS 186 Modern South Asia (4) An exploration of Mughal, East India Company, and British rule in South Asia, and the evolution of Islamic, Hindu and secular nationalism. The course features the career and philosophy of Mohandas K. Gandhi as a reconciler of difference and a voice of anti-colonial resistance. HIS 190 Internship (4-8) Supervised field work in historical societies, government, business, and related areas in Santa Barbara or San Francisco.
HIS 195 Topics in History (4) A seminar class that focuses on a selected subject. Sample topics include the American West, Church/State relations in Latin America, the Black Death, the Enlightenment, and the Jewish question in European history. The course may be repeated if the topic of concentration changes.
HIS 195SS History of the Body in Medieval and Early Modern Europe (4) This course examines a selection of themes concerning the history of the body in Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century. We will focus particularly on the body and social identity (e.g., dress, cleanliness, and eating), the religious significance of the body (e.g., saints’ bodies, religious violence, and “holy anorexia”) and the changing definitions and perceptions of bodily impairment (e.g., the treatment of the elderly and blindness).
HIS 195TH History of the Body in Medieval and Early Modern Europe (4) This course examines a selection of themes concerning the history of the body in Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century. We will focus particularly on the body and social identity (e.g., dress, cleanliness, and eating), the religious significance of the body (e.g., saints’ bodies, religious violence, and “holy anorexia”) and the changing definitions and perceptions of bodily impairment (e.g., the treatment of the elderly and blindness).
HIS 198 Historical Method, Bibliography and Research (4) Prerequisite: Junior standing and HIS 1. Guided research on a problem of historical interest. Culminates in a major paper.