History and Philosophy

Montgomery Buell, Chair; Terrie Aamodt, Gregory Dodds, Linda Emmerson, Terrell Gottschall, Elisabeth Ritacca.

The department offers a major in history as well as minors in history and philosophy. In fulfilling the mission of the University, the purpose of the work in history is fourfold: to promote a better understanding of the past and an appreciation of the present; to formulate a constructive philosophy of history; to train in skills of research and evaluation; to prepare students for teaching, graduate and professional schools, and government service. In keeping with this goal, the members of the department support the principle of personal professional development, particularly participation in research and civic responsibilities, as a means of enhancing both teaching and the historical profession.

The philosophy program encourages students to evaluate their personal philosophies within a Christian context. Course requirements provide a framework for students to develop critical thinking skills, to study major figures and schools in the history of philosophy, to draw connections between philosophy and other disciplines, and to analyze moral, spiritual, metaphysical, epistemological, and logical questions and issues. The minor in philosophy will enhance student preparation for graduate programs in the humanities and theology, and for professional programs in education, law, medicine, or government.

HISTORY MAJOR (Bachelor of Arts)

A student majoring in history must complete 58 quarter hours in the major, the general studies program, and all baccalaureate degree requirements as outlined in this bulletin. Senior students must complete a departmental comprehensive examination and are required to take an acceptable nationally standardized exam.

Core Requirements:

Research Requirements:

Cognate:

HISTORY MINOR

A student minoring in history must complete 28 quarter hours:

PHILOSOPHY MINOR

A student minoring in philosophy must complete 28 credit hours:

Certification Requirements for History Major

TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Students wishing Washington State teacher certification in history must fulfill certification requirements listed by the School of Education and Psychology, complete a history major, and take the following courses:

HIST 446 Pacific Northwest History, HIST 395 Methods of Teaching Social Studies, GEOG 252 Physical Geography, and PLSC 224 American Government.

Please refer to the certification check sheet available from the School of Education and Psychology for additional information.

GEOGRAPHY COURSES (GEOG)

GEOG 252 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 4

Study of the earth as a dynamic system of interrelated components. This course introduces all aspects of earth systems, identifying physical phenomena and stressing their distribution and relationships. It places special emphasis on human-environmental relationships.

HISTORY GENERAL COURSES (HIST)

HIST 120, 121, 122 HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION 4, 4, 4

Survey of European history from antiquity to the present. The first quarter covers ancient history of the Near East to early medieval Europe in the eighth century AD; the second quarter, old Europe from Charlemagne to 1815; and the third quarter, modern Europe from 1815 to the present.

HIST 221, 222 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 4, 4

Survey of American history from the pre-Columbian period to the present. The first quarter covers through Reconstruction; the second quarter covers Reconstruction to the present.

HIST 242 MODERN EAST ASIAN HISTORY 4

A study of East Asian History since 1800, with particular emphasis on China and Japan. Offered odd years only.

HIST 305 THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST 4

Survey of the history of the Ancient Near East. Considers economic and social life as well as political developments and environmental change. Offered even years only.

HIST 335 HISTORY OF WORLD WAR II 4

Study of the military, political, and diplomatic events from the late 1930s through 1945; covers both the European and the Pacific theaters. Will not satisfy general education history requirement. Offered even years only.

HIST 357 THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE (or ENGL 357) 4

Examines the roles of African-Americans in shaping American history and culture from the colonial period to the present. Prerequisite: HIST 221 or 222. Offered odd years only.

HIST 382 HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHY 4

Biographical and autobiographical studies of distinguished as well as lesser-known figures throughout history. Taught every year on a rotating basis throughout the department. Prerequisite: One general studies history class, or permission of instructor.

HIST 394 DIRECTED READING 1-3

Independent reading for students who wish to continue broadening their knowledge of history by extensive reading; admission by department approval. Prerequisite: Eight hours of general studies history.

HIST 395 METHODS OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES 3

Methods and techniques of teaching social studies on the secondary school level; requires observation, demonstration and class presentation. Will not apply towards a major or minor in history. Offered odd years only.

HIST 494 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION 0-4

Individual contract arrangement involving students, faculty, and cooperating businesses to gain practical experience in a non-classroom setting. Allows the student to apply advanced classroom learning. Prerequisite: Approval by department.

HIST 495 COLLOQUIUM 0

A series of lectures, discussions, and other activities that address historical and professional issues for history students. For each quarter that a student fails to complete the colloquium requirement as stated for the major, there will be a fee to be paid before an alternative colloquium will be approved. Graded S or NC.

HISTORY RESEARCH COURSES (HIST)

HIST 391 THE CRAFT OF HISTORY 2

Introduction to the methods, materials, and problems of historical research; students choose the topic for their senior papers, commence research, and write a proposal.

HIST 392 HISTORIOGRAPHY 3

Survey of historians and historical writings from the development of the historical profession in the nineteenth century to the present.

HIST 496, 497, 498 SEMINAR 2, 2, 1

Preparation and presentation of the senior paper. Open only to senior history majors. Must be taken in sequence. Prerequisites: HIST 391, 392.

EUROPEAN HISTORY COURSES (HIST)

HIST 254 HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY 4

Survey of Christian history from the early church to the present. The course will focus on the theological, political, and cultural development of Christianity around the world.

HIST 275, 276 HISTORY OF ENGLAND 4, 4

Development and expansion of the English nation from the earliest times to the present.

HIST 306 CLASSICAL GREECE AND ROME 4

Survey of the history of classical Greece and Rome to AD 476 with particular emphasis on cultural and political history.

HIST 435 HISTORY OF MODERN GERMANY 4

Survey of German history since 1870; diplomatic, political, socio-economic, and ideological developments in Imperial, Weimar, Nazi, and post-World War II Germany, with special emphasis on the German Question resulting from World War II. Prerequisite: HIST 121, 122, PHIL 204 , or permission of instructor. Offered even years only.

HIST 437 MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE EUROPE 4

Study of the religious, political, social, intellectual, and artistic developments from Middle Ages through the Italian Renaissance. Prerequisite: HIST 121, PHIL 204, or permission of instructor. Offered odd years only.

HIST 438 FAITH AND CONFLICT IN REFORMATION ENGLAND 4

Seminar examining the political and religious upheavals that accompanied the rise of the English Protestantism from the reign of Henry VIII through the English Civil War, 1500-1688. Prerequisite: PHIL 204. Offered even years only.

HIST 456 MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN CHRISTIANITY (or RELH 456) 4

The history of Christianity from the Council of Chalcedon through the Enlightenment, with an emphasis on the Lutheran and Calvinist Reformations, 400-1776. Prerequisite: HIST 121 or RELH 455, or permission of instructor.

HIST 460 SCIENCE AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT 4

A study of the science, art, learning and culture in Early Modern Europe, 1500 to the French Revolution. Prerequisite: HIST 121, PHIL 204, or permission of instructor. Offered odd years only.

HIST 466 AGE OF REVOLUTIONS 4

Study of revolutionary Europe, including the French Revolution, Napoleonic Revolution, Revolution of 1830, and Revolution of 1848. Prerequisite: HIST 121, PHIL 204, or permission of instructor. Offered odd years only.

HIST 467 THE GREAT WAR 1890-1919 4

Study of Europe leading up to and including World War I against the backdrop of nineteenth century nationalism and imperialism. Prerequisite: HIST 121, 122, PHIL204, or permission of instructor. Offered even years only.

HIST 468 INTERWAR EUROPE, 1919-1945 4

Study of Europe during the period between the two world wars with particular focus on post-1919 peacekeeping, the rise of totalitarianism, and the causes and course of World War II. Prerequisites: HIST 122, PHIL 204, or permission of instructor. Offered odd years only.

HIST 480 POSTWAR EUROPE, 1945 TO THE PRESENT 4

Study of Europe since World War II with particular focus on the Cold War, western European integration, and the rise and fall of the Soviet bloc. Prerequisites: HIST 122, PHIL 204, or permission of instructor.

AMERICAN HISTORY COURSES (HIST)

HIST 283 SPAIN AND LATIN AMERICA 4

Study of medieval and early modern Spain with an emphasis on the exploration and conquest of the Americas. Traces the development of Spain's American colonies to their independence. Offered odd years only.

HIST 337 BASEBALL AND AMERICAN CULTURE 4

Study of the development of baseball and its impact on American popular culture, with an emphasis on baseball literature, music, and films. Will not satisfy general education history requirement. Offered even years only. Prerequisites: One general studies history course. (Course fees apply.)

HIST 354 AMERICAN HISTORY AND VISUAL CULTURE 4

Study of the relationships between historical events and visual representation, including media such as fine arts, prints, political cartoons, photography and film, from the Revolutionary period to the present. Prerequisite: HIST 221 or 222. Offered even years only.

HIST 359 THE AMERICAN ECONOMY (or GBUS 359) 4

An examination of the development of the American economy and business systems from the colonial era to the present. It traces the transformation of key United States institutions (the firm, market, government) and themes (strategy, finance, organization) across the centuries, addressing their relevance to current debates. Prerequisite: a general studies history course. Offered even years.

HIST 443 COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY AMERICA 4

Study of the American colonies in their religious, social, and political contexts; examines the transition from colonial status to independence. Prerequisite: HIST 221, PHIL 204, or permission of instructor. Offered odd years only.

HIST 445 THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION 4

Study of the sectional crisis, the war, and its impact on postwar political, economic, and social development. Prerequisite: HIST 221, 222, PHIL 204, or permission of instructor. Offered even years only.

HIST 446 HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST 4

Study of the Pacific Northwest from the age of discovery to contemporary times.

HIST 448 THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN AMERICA 4

Examines the changes in America from the end of reconstruction through the Great Depression. The course covers such issues as the rise of industry, the growth of consumerism, immigration, imperialism, Populism, and Progressivism. Offered odd years only. Prerequisites: HIST 222, PHIL 204.

HIST 449 RECENT AMERICAN HISTORY 4

Examines the topics that shaped American society, politics, foreign policy, and culture from America's involvement in World War II to the present. The course covers such topics as World War II, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War as well as the social, cultural, and economic impact of those events. Prerequisites: HIST 222, PHIL 204. Offered even years only.

HIST 450 AMERICA OVERSEAS 4

Money, power, terrorism, natural resources, and American involvement in places such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. Prerequisites: HIST 122, 222, PHIL 204 or permission of instructor.

HIST 458 AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL HISTORY 4

A survey of the major schools of thought in American intellectual history. These include: Puritanism, the Great Awakening, the Enlightenment, Transcendentalism, and Pragmatism, as well as contemporary issues in American thought. Prerequisite: PHIL 204. Offered even years only.

PHILOSOPHY COURSES (PHIL)

PHIL 204 ESSENTIALS OF CRITICAL REASONING 4

Study of concepts and procedures basic to effective critical thinking, and extensive practice with material drawn from a variety of disciplines. Prerequisite: ENGL 121, 122, or permission of instructor.

PHIL 205 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY 4

Study of selected writings from classical and contemporary philosophy giving a broad introduction to the issues of concern to philosophers. Particular emphasis is given to the relevance of philosophical study to Christian life and critical reflection upon the student's own philosophical ideas.

PHIL 206 INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC 4

Study of the nature of formal argumentation, inference and proof; includes practice in constructing logically sound arguments as well as analyzing those of others; some study of informal logical fallacies. Offered even years only.

PHIL 305 MORAL PHILOSOPHY 4

An examination of the concepts of right and wrong, considering the major meta-ethical theories of relativism and absolutism. Relativist meta-theories include egoism and cultural relativism. Absolutist meta-theories include utilitarianism, virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, and appeals to moral authority. Prerequisites: PHIL 205 or permission of the instructor.

PHIL 306 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY I: ANCIENT 4

An overview of ancient Western thought from the 6th century BC to the third century AD. Examines major philosophers and philosophical movements from the pre-Socratics through the Neoplatonists. Prerequisites: PHIL 205, or permission of instructor. Offered odd years only.

PHIL 307 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY II: MEDIEVAL-EARLY MODERN 4

An overview of Western thought from the fourth to the 17th century. Examines major philosophers and philosophical movements from the medieval to the early modern period. Prerequisite: PHIL 205, or permission of instructor. Offered odd years only.

PHIL 308 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY III: 18TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT 4

An overview of Western thought from the 18th century to the present. Examines major philosophers and philosophical movements during this time period. Prerequisite: PHIL 205, or permission of instructor. Offered even years only.

PHIL 407 PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 4

An introduction to contemporary issues in the philosophy of science addressing questions such as: What is a scientific theory and what distinguishes science from pseudoscience? How are scientific theories formulated and tested? What is the relationship between theory and observation? What are the scope and limits of scientific knowledge and what is the relationship between science and religion?

PHIL 410 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION (or EDUC 410) 3

See the Education section of this bulletin.

PHIL 412 PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (or RELT 412) 4

See the Theology section of this bulletin.

PHIL 496 SEMINAR 4

In-depth study of specific areas of philosophical research. Prerequisite: PHIL 205.

POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES (PLSC)

PLSC 224 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 4

Study of the principles, organization, and development of American national, state, and local government.