Graduate Course Descriptions
NOTE: Graduate students may take 40% of their course work at the 400 Level.
400 Greece and Rome. 3 hr. Covers the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, Archaic and Classical Greece, Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Age, the Roman Republic, and Etruscan and Carthaginian states, and the rise of the Roman Empire .
401 Social and Economic History of the Middle Ages, 300-1000. 3 hr. (HIST 103 is recommended as preparation). Topics include the social-economic crisis of the late Roman and German institutions, the Merovingian and Carolingian economics, Pierenne Thesis, and transition to feudal society.
404 Ancient and Medieval Science. 3 hr. Investigations of the natural world in classical antiquity and medieval Europe .
405 The Renaissance. 3 hr. The underlying political, economic, and social structure of 14th – and 15th –century Italy with concentration on significant intellectual and cultural trends, including humanism and art,gender roles, state formation, and exploration.
406 The Reformation.3 hr. Religious change in 16th –century Europe focusing on distinguishing theological characteristics of major reformers, the response of the people to these religious changes, and the impact on European politics and society.
407 The Rise of Modern Science. 3 hr. The emergence of the scientific world view from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment.
408 Science in Modern Europe. 3 hr. Crystallization and generalization of scientific world view in Europe after the Scientific Revolution. Emphasizes the mutual interaction of science, society, and culture.
409 Brazil: Colony to World Power. 3 hr. Examines the transition of Brazil from a colony to a world power, with special emphasis on recent economic developments, regional diversity, political patterns, foreign affairs, and race relations.
410 Modern Spain. 3 hr. Survey of the Muslim, Hapsburg, and Bourbon periods followed by an examination of modern political and social forces, the Civil War, and the rule of Franco.
411 Industrial Revolution, 1600-1900. 3 hr. Focuses on technical, economic, and social changes surrounding the Industrial Revolution in England and the United States. Examines also the expanding effects of the process of industrialization in Continental Europe.
412 Introduction to Public History. 3 hr. Introduction to a wide range of career possibilities for historians in areas such as archives, historical societies, editing projects, museums, business, libraries, and historic preservation. Lectures, guest speakers, field trips, individual projects.
413 France: Renaissance to Napoleon. 3 hr. French history from the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy to the present. Will emphasize the development of a modern industrial society, the revolutions of the nineteenth century, the impact of the World Wars, and France’s role in the new Europe.
414 France since 1815. 3 hr. French history from the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy to the present. Will emphasize the development of a modern industrial society, the revolutions of the nineteenth century, the impact of the World Wars, and France’s role in the new Europe .
415 History of England, 1485-1815. 3 Hr. Social, cultural, political, and economic history of England under the Tudor, Stuart, and early Hanoverian dynasties.Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Cromwell, Restoration, Glorious Revolution, English empire, Napolenic wars.
416 The French Wars of Religion. 3 Hr. Detailed analysis of the tangled roots of this conflict (1562-1629), the salient events of the period, and their long-term impact. Popular culture, military developments, theology, and court politics.
417 World War II in Europe. 3 hr. PR: 6 hrs. History or Consent. Impact of World War II on the political culture and moral fabric of European societies; emphasis on themes of invasion, occupation, collaboration, resistance, survival, and retribution. (Alternate Years)
418 Eastern Europe since 1945. 3 hr. The social, economic, intellectual, cultural and political history of Eastern Europe since the second World War. Special emphasis on the causes of the East European revolutions of 1989 and the problems of post-communism transition. (Offered every third semester)
419 Revolutionary Russia , 1900-1939. 3 hr. Crisis of late Imperial Russia, Silver Age, World War, 1917 revolutions; Civil War, renewed empire, crisis of 1921; NEP, policy, debates, succession; Stalinism to 1939; World War II, post war Stalinism; initial repudiation of Stalin.
420 The U.S.S.R. and After: 1953 to Present. 3 hr. Crisis of the late Stalinism; Krushchev, destalinization, reforms; Brezhnev, stabilization, militarization, corruption, stagnation; Gorbachev, perestrokia, glasnost’, disintegration; Yeltsin, shock therapy, criminalization, decline.
421 Hitler and the Third Reich. 3 hr. PR: Junior, senior, or graduate standing. Myths and realities of Hitler’s public and personal life; emphasis on rise to power, party, ideology, and propaganda techniques; position and policies as fueher.
422 Twentieth-Century Germany from Weimar to Bonn. 3 hr. The Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, and the two German states created after World War II.
424 15th & 16th Century England. II. 3 hr. England from Richard II to Elizabeth covering developments in politics, religion and society, ranging from the War of the Roses to the plague to Protestantism and Shakespeare. (Alternate Years)
425 History of Modern China. 3 hr. Introduction to modern China (since 1839) with attention to China’s Confucian heritage; examines in detail the Chinese effort to modernize in the face of Western diplomatic and economic pressure; specific attention to China’s Nationalist and Communist revolutionary traditions.
426 History of Modern Japan. 3 hr Modern Japan (since 1868) with attention to the development of Japanese institutions and ideas in earlier periods, especially the Tokugawa Era (1600-1868); examines the rapid pace of economic change in the 19th & 20th centuries along with the important social, political and diplomatic implications of this change.
427 East Africa to 1895. 3 hr. East Africa from earliest times to beginning of European control. Population movement and interaction, development of varying types of polity, revolutionary changes, and the European scramble for East Africa form the major focus.
428 East Africa since 1895. 3 hr. History of colonial rule and movement to independence in East Africa. Political, economic, and social changes will be examined with particular emphasis on the rise and triumph of African nationalism.
429 History of Africa: Pre-colonial. 3 hr. History of Africa from earliest times to the middle of the nineteenth century. Particular emphasis on population and interaction, state formation, and the development of trade in sub-Saharan Africa as well as the impact of such external influences as Christianity and Islam.
430 History of Africa European Dominance to Independence. 3 hr. History of Africa from the middle of the nineteenth century to the 1960s. Political and economic trends will form major focus.
431 17th-century Britain, 1603-1715. 3 hr. The more significant political, social, economic, religious, and intellectual developments of Britain during a century of revolution and of the men and women who interacted with those movements.
432 18th-century Britain, 1715-1832. 3 hr. The Age of Aristocracy, the political, social, religious, economic, and impact of the Industrial, Agricultural, American, and French revolutions.
433 West Africa to 1885. I. 3 hr. West Africa from the earliest times to the imposition of colonial rule. Examines social, economic, political developments and interactions, and European scramble for West Africa . (Alternate Years)
434 West Africa from 1885. II. 3 hr. Examines the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, imposition of colonial rule, colonial economic, social and administrative systems, the rise and triumph of African nationalism, West Africa since independence.
441 17th-century Colonial America I. 3 hr. The establishment of England’s American colonies and their development during a century of political, social, religious, and economic change and the interaction between events in Old and New Worlds.
442 18th-century America. II. 3 hr. The social, political, and economic maturation of England’s American colonies, the move toward independence, and the establishment of government at state and federal levels. (Alternate Years)
445 History of American Women. 3 hr. Examination of the history of Americanwomen from 1607 to the present, with emphasis on working conditions, women’s rights, development of feminism, women’s role in wartime, and women in the family.
446 History of European Women to 1700. 3 hr. History of European women to1700, emphasizing philosophic, economic, and societal sources of women’s oppression, women’s self-perceptions and their roles in work, religion, and the family and the development of feminism.
448 Sexuality in American Culture. 3 Hr. Explores changes in sexuality in the United States from the Seventeenth Century to the present, examining social and cultural struggles and debates over the meaning of sexuality and sexual orientation in America .
449 Women’s Movements Since 1960. 3 hr. Comparison of U.S. “Second wave” and “Third Wave” feminisms; validity of the concepts of “waves” of feminism; and impact of race, class, sexual orientation on perspectives on women’s status.
451 African-American History to 1900. 3 hr. Slave trade and evolution of slavery in the New World, the attack upon slavery and its destruction, the South and the blacks during Reconstruction, and the age of reaction and racism, 1875-1900.
452 African-American History since 1900. 3 hr. Reconstruction, the age of reaction and racism, black migration, black nationalism, blacks in the world wars, and desegregation.
453 Civil War and Reconstruction. 3 hr. Causes as well as the constitutional and diplomatic aspects of the Civil War; the role of the American black in slavery, in war, and in freedom; and the economic and political aspects of Congressional Reconstruction.
456 Gilded Age in US History. 3 hr. Examines responses of the American people and institutions to opportunities and problems of the late nineteenth century. Emphasis on rise of big business; labor organization; immigration; regular, reform, and radical politics; disappearance of the frontier; farm crisis; and origins of imperialism.
457 US From McKinley to the New Deal, 1896 to 1933. 3 hr. American national history from William McKinley to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Particular attention is given to the great changes in American life after 1896; national, political, economic, social and cultural development; the Progressive Era in American politics; and alterations in American foreign relations resulting from the Spanish-American War and World War I.
459 US History New Deal-Great Society. 3 hr. Covers New Deal, World War II, Cold War, with emphasis on American social, political, technological, and cultural developments; United States domestic problems and foreign relations from 1945 to 1968.
460 World War II in America. 3 hr. Examines the American experience in World War II; with an emphasis on the economic, social, and political impact of war on American society.
463 American Diplomacy to 1941. 3 hr. PR: None: HIST 152 and 153 recommended. American foreign policy and diplomacy from the adoption of the Constitution to America ’s entry into World War II.
464 American Diplomacy since 1941. 3 hr. PR: None: HIST 152 and 153 recommended. America’s foreign policy and growing involvement in international relations including the U.S. role in World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam.
465 The Vietnam War. II. 3 hr. United States participation in the 1946-1975 fighting in Indochina. United States involvement in the political and military conflict, and the impact of the war on the United States. (Alternate Years)
466 American Economic History to 1865. 3 hr. Origins and development of American business, agricultural, and labor institutions; problems, and policies, from 1600 to 1865; influence of economic factors upon American history during this period.
467 American Economic History since 1865. 3 hr. Scope similar to that stated for HIST 466.
468 The Old South. 3 hr. (For advanced undergraduate and graduate students.) History of the South exploring peculiar differences that led to an attempt to establish a separate nation. The geographical limitation permits a detailed study of economic and social forces within the context of the larger national history.
469 The New South. 3 hr. Integration of the South into the nation after the Civil War. Emphasis on southern attitudes toward industrialization, commercial agriculture, organized labor, and the African-Americans. Special attention to the southern literary renaissance and conservative and progressive politics of the southern people.
473 Appalachian Regional History. 3 hr. Historical survey of Central Appalachia’s three phases of development; traditional society of the nineteenth century, the transformation of a mountain society by industrialization at the turn of the twentieth century, and contemporary Appalachia .
474 The City in American History. 3 hr. A survey of urban history in the United States, including the Colonial period, with emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing on physical development of cities (planning, transportation, architecture, suburbanization) and social society.
477 Working Class America. 3 hr. This course is designed to introduce students to issues surrounding the American working class. It will explore changes in the modes of production, the impact of labor migrations, the emergence of working-class organizations, and the political and social ideologies of working class. Particular attention will be given to the impact of racial, ethnic, and gender-based conflict on the emergence of working-class movements. Students will be encouraged to interpret historical material in the context of current workplace relations.
480 History of the Alps. 3 hr. Examines the peoples, lands, culture, and politics of the Alpine arc (France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia) in comparative perspective. Mountain democracy, commerce, banditry, transportation, tourism, mining.
481 The Mediterranean: 1200-1800. 3 Hr. Interactions between societies surrounding the Mediterranean (Christians, Muslims, and Jews from Europe, the Ottoman Empire, Egypt, the Maghrib) from the late Abbasids to Napolean. Trade, warfare, family, life, religion.
489 Intro to Historic Preservation. 3 hr. Introduction to historic preservation issues, including law, economics, not-for-profit organizations, site interpretation, architectural history, industrial archeology, federal programs, downtown revitalization, and landmarks commissions.
490 Teaching Practicum. 1-3 hr. PR: Consent. Teaching practice as a tutor or assistant.
491 Professional Field Experience. 1-18 hr. PR: Consent (May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours.) Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.
492 Directed Study. I, II, S. 1-3 hr. . Directed study, reading, and/or research.
493 Special Topics. 1-6 hr. PR: Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
494 Intro to Historical Research. 3 hr. (Required for History majors; non-majors by consent.) Introduction to research techniques useful for history. Instruction in locating sources, taking notes, and writing research papers.
495 Independent Study. I, II, S. 1-6 hr. Faculty supervised study of topics of mutual concern to students and faculty.
496 Senior Thesis. 1-3 hr. PR: Consent
498 Honors. 1-3 hr. PR: Students in Honors Program and consent by the Honors director. Independent reading, study, or research.
610 Historic Site Interpretation and Preservation. 3 hr. PR: HIST 212. Introduction to historic site interpretation and preservation, including establishing criteria, site inventory, and recording techniques using the “case study” method. Lectures, films, discussions, and field projects will introduce students to the rapidly growing area, including environmental impact work.
611 Archival Management. 3 hr. PR: HIST 212. Principle and practices of archival work within a laboratory context Includes lectures and selected readings illustrated by holdings ad policies of West Virginia and Regional History Collection of the WVU Library.
612 Practicum in Historical Editing. 3 hr. PR: HIST 212. Principles and practices of historical editing in a laboratory context. Includes lectures and readings with illustrations from ongoing editing projects.
613 Local History Research Methods. 3 hr. Emphasis on research methods applicable to any locality; includes legal records, oral records, secondary sources, photographs, maps and government documents.
614 Internship in Public History. 6 hr. PR: HIST 212 and two intermediate public history courses. A professional internship at an agency involved in a relevant area of public history. Supervision will be exercised by both the Department of History and the host agency. Research report of finished professional project required.
691 Advanced Topics. Variable 1-6 hr. PR: Consent. Investigation of advanced topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
693 Special Topics. 1-6 Hr. A study of contemporary topics selected from recent developments in the field.
697 Research I, II, S.. Variable 1-15 hr. PR: Consent. Research activities leading to a thesis, problem report, research paper, or equivalent scholarly project or dissertation. Grading may be S/U.
701 Readings in Medieval History. 3 hr. Examination of the literature, biography, sources, and research methods on selected problems in medieval history, using discussion and written reports on assigned readings. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.
702 Seminar in Medieval History. 3 hr. PR: HIST 301; reading knowledge of Latin and modern European language strongly recommended. Directed examination of bibliographic sources and historiographical issues on selected aspects of the Middle Ages, leading to preparation of a research paper based on primary sources.
705 Readings in Early Modern History. 3 hr. Directed readings on selected major historiographic themes in European history relating to the period from the Renaissance to the French Revolution.
706 Seminar in Early Modern History..II, 3 hr. Research and writing of an article-length paper based on extensive and/or in-depth analysis of early modern primary sources. Class presentations and discussions of colleagues’ work.
708 Readings in Central European History. 3 hr. All students will read and discuss selected works illustrating outstanding scholarship or interpretative problems related to modern Central European history. Opportunity will also be provided for each student to pursue an independent reading project tailored to the student’s special interests. May be repeated once.
709 Seminar in Central European History. 3 hr. An intensive survey of the bibliographical aids and printed source materials available in the field. A research paper and a bibliographical essay will be presented by each student. Reading knowledge of German and French strongly recommended. May be repeated once.
714 Readings in Eastern European History. 3 hr. Intensive readings on specific topics in Russian, Soviet, or East European history. Students should normally have had History 117 and 118 or their equivalents. Primarily designed for graduate students and selected undergraduates.
715 Seminar in Eastern European History. 3 hr. PR: HIST 117, 118 or equivalent. Research seminar on selected topics in Russian, Soviet, or Eastern European history. One major paper and extensive reading based on available source materials is required. May be repeated once.
717 Readings in Western European History. 3 hr. This course, primarily for graduate students and selected undergraduates, is designed for an intensive reading program on special problems in western European history. May be repeated once.
718 Seminar in Western European History. 3 hr. A research seminar in selected topics in western European history. One major paper and extensive reading based on available source material is required. May be repeated once.
721 Readings in Asian History. 3 hr. Intensive readings in the history of East Asia (especially China and Japan ) since the nineteenth century; students should normally have had HIST 425 and 426, or their equivalents; reviews, as well as bibliographical and historiographical essays, required. May be repeated once.
722 Seminar in Asian History.. 3 hr. Advanced readings and research in East Asian history; specific emphasis on research tools and techniques; research paper based on English-language sources required; students should normally have had HIST 425 and 426 or their equivalents. May be repeated once.
725 Readings in African History. 3 hr. This course will normally focus on readings and discussions on problems in the history of pre-colonial Africa, the major works in African history, and recent interpretations in the field. May be repeated once.
726 Seminar in African History. 3 hr. The seminar will normally focus on eastern Africa in the colonial period. Location and use of source materials will be emphasized as well as economic and political developments. Students will spend considerable time in research and writing on selected aspects of eastern African history. May be repeated once.
729 Readings in Latin American History. 3 hr. PR: Graduate Status. Critical examination of selected sources and topics for understanding and interpreting Latin American history. May be repeated once.
730 Seminar in Latin American History. 3 hr. PR: Consent. Survey of Latin American historiography, location and use of primary source materials, discussion of research techniques, and the writing of a research paper. Reading knowledge of Spanish, Portugese, or French will be helpful. May be repeated once.
731 Readings in American History, 1585-1763. 3 hr. Supervised readings and reports designed to prepare students for intensive study in a seminar or for field examinations in colonial American history May be repeated once.
732 Seminar in American History, 1585-1763. 3 hr. PR: HIST 331 or consent. Directed research on colonial American History, using original and secondary materials. May be repeated once.
745 Readings in American Labor History. 3 hr. PR: Consent. Readings seminar designed to provide broad knowledge of American labor and working class history by focusing on conceptual issues and methods of research that have shaped the development of this field. May be repeated once.
755 Readings in American History 1763-1800. 3 hr. Readings and reports designed to prepare students for an intensive study in seminar or field examination. May be repeated once.
756 Seminar in American History 1763-1800. 3 hr. PR: HIST 355 or consent. Advanced readings and research in revolutionary and early national American history. May be repeated once.
757 Readings in US History, 1787-1850. 3 hr. Critical examination of major works and themes on the political, economic, social, and legal formation of the nation. Requirements include oral and written reports on the readings and an historiographical essay on a selected subject.
758 Seminar in US History, 1787-1850. 3 hr. Directed research in early United States history. Research will include primary and secondary. May be repeated once. (Alternate years)
759 Readings in US History 1840-1898. 3 hr. Survey of interpretive literature on Sectionalism, Civil War, Reconstruction, and Gilded Age. Assignments are both oral and written reports on assigned readings and a critical essay on some aspect of American historiography for this period.
760 Seminar in US History 1840-1898. 3 hr. Directed research in mid-and late 19th-century American history, including guidance in methods of research and manuscript preparation. May be repeated once.
763 Readings in US History, 1898 to Present. 3 hr. Readings and class-led discussion of one paperback book per week and preparation of a paper based on these books and the class discussion of them. Course may be repeated for credit.
764 Seminar in US History, 1898 to Present. 3 hr. Directed research in recent American history including guidance in method of research and manuscript preparation. May be repeated once.
773 Readings in Appalachian Regional History. 3 hr. A course for graduate students in the history of West Virginia and neighboring states, which form what is known as the Trans-Allegheny or Upper Ohio region. May be repeated once.
774 Seminar in Appalachian Regional History. 3 hr. A seminar from graduate students in the history of West Virginia and neighboring states, which form what is known as the Trans-Allegheny or Upper Ohio region. May be repeated once.
775 Readings in Science and Technology. 3 hr. Examination of the literature, bibliography, and sources on selected topics in the history of science and technology. Discussion of methods and sources, presentation and critique of research papers based on primary sources. Course may be repeated for credit.
776 Seminar in Science and Technology. 3 hr. PR: HIST 375 or consent. Research seminar in the history of science and technology. Discussion of methods and sources; presentation and critique of research papers based on primary sources. Course may be repeated for credit.
782 Readings in Social History of US. 3 hr. The objective of the course is to establish for graduate students usable frames of reference for selected topics in social history by examining the ways in which historians have written about these topics. Course may be repeated for credit.
785 Readings in Environmental History. 3 hr. Examines broad themes such as early perceptions of change, establishment of commons, attitudes toward nature, the rise of ecological science, agricultural and industrial practices. Explores historiography, methodology, and theoretical issues. May be repeated once. (Alternate years.)
786 Seminar in Environmental History. 3 hr. Directed research involving primary and secondary sources to prepare regional, case studies or examine broad cultura and policy themes. May be repeated once. (Alternate years).
789 Folger Institute Seminar. 3 hr. PR: Graduate standing. (Enrollment is by special application only. Contact department chairperson for information.) Seminar conducted by distinguished scholars and held at the Folger Institute of Renaissance and Eighteenth Century Studies in Washington DC. Topics vary. (Also listed as ENGL 793).
790 Teaching Practicum. 1-3hr. PR: Consent. Supervised practices in college teaching of history. (Note: This course is intended to insure that graduate assistants are adequately prepared and supervised when they are given college teaching responsibilities. It will also present a mechanism for students not on assistantships to gain teaching experience. Grading will be S/U.
791 Advanced Topics. I, II, S. 1-6 hr. PR: Consent. Investigation in advanced subjects which are not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
792 Directed Study. I, II S. 1-6 hr. Directed study, reading, and/or research.
793 Special Topics. I, II, S. 1-6 hr. A study of contemporary topics selected from recent development in the field.
794 Seminar. I, II, S.1-6 hr. Special seminars arranged for advanced graduate students.
795 Independent Study. I, II, S. 1-6 hr. Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.
796 Graduate Seminar. 1 Hr. PR: Consent. It is anticipated that each graduate student will present at least one seminar to the assembled faculty and graduate students body of his/her program.
797 Research. 1-15 hr. PR: Consent.
799 Graduate Colloquium. 1 hr. PR: Consent. Graduate students in residence must register for the colloquium. Students are expected to enroll continuously for at least two semesters. Credit for this course does not count towards degree requirements.
900 Professional Development. 1-6 Hr. Professional development courses provide skill renewal or enhancement in a professional field or content area (e.g. education, community health, geology). The continuing education courses are grades on a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grading scale and do not apply as graduate credit toward a degree program.
930 Professional Development. 1-6 Hr. Professional development course provide skill renewal or enhancement in a professional field or content area (e.g. education, community health, geology). These tuition waived continuing education courses are graded on a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grading scale and do not apply as graduate credit toward a degree program.
