History 1 Major & 2 Minors School of Arts and Sciences Department of History/Geography/Politics Faculty Mark R. Correll, Chair Mark T. Edwards David Rawson Charles E. White Inyeop Lee About the discipline The fundamental purpose of the department of history, politics, and geography is to aid the student in gaining an understanding of the development of ancient, medieval and modern civilizations, as they compare developments in the United States and Michigan with the multicultural aspects of past as well as contemporary societies. Particular emphases will be placed on the legacies of Greece and Rome, Christianity, major non-western societies like China, India and Japan; the Protestant Reformation; the Enlightenment; the American colonial world; the Revolution and Constitution; the emergence of democracy; the expansion of America in the 19th Century; the Civil War; and the significant events of the 20th Century, including the two world wars and the tumultuous 1960s. Insights from various Christian perspectives will be utilized as the past is examined so that students will be challenged to become effective citizens of the church, community, country and the world. A study of history provides a rich and varied background to all other disciplines in the liberal arts. Career opportunities A major or minor in history at Spring Arbor University prepares the student for teaching at the secondary level. The major provides excellent preparation for graduate study in history, historical preservation and museum administration, law or seminary. Program strengths and emphases Students who major or minor in history will develop strong skills in analysis and evaluation of the past as sources of critical inquiry into the nature of current issues. students are encouraged to consider a semester off campus at oneo of the many programs described in the off campus section of the catalog(pg 35-36) Many of the semester abroad programs will benefit the history major or minor s academic goals and may fulfill the CCS requirement. SAU requires all students who study abroad to submit documentation of complete childhood immunizations as defined by the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/travel) before registration for study abroad can be completed. Requirements The 35-hour history major requires: HIS 302 19th Century Europe (3) HIS 303 20th Century Europe (3) HIS 309 Civil War & Reconstruction (3) HIS 310 20th Century America (3) HIS 478 History Seminar (3) HIS 304 Geography & History of Russia & the Newly Independent States (3) HIS 331 China, India and Japan (3) HIS 337 Chinese Civilization & Culture (3) Electives to total 35 hours Note: A background in the other social sciences such as geography, sociology, economics, and politics and a study of French, German, and/or Spanish are strongly recommended. Note for teacher certification: The following courses are required in addition to the History major: Required support courses: POL 213 American National Government (3) ECN 101 Introduction to Economics (3) ECN 222 Introduction to Macroeconomics (3) ECN 323 Economics of the Third World (3) 150
The 28-hour history major is designed to be paired with another major of Liberal Arts. The 28-hour history paired major requires: HIS 302 19th Century Europe (3) HIS 303 20th Century Europe (3) HIS 309 Civil War & Reconstruction (3) HIS 310 20th Century America (3) HIS 478 History Seminar (3) HIS 304 Geography & History of Russia & the Newly Independent States (3) HIS 331 China, India and Japan (3) HIS 337 Chinese Civilization & Culture (3) -At least one hour of Independent Study HIS390 OR Electives to equal 28 hours - Completing a first major in the Liberal Arts The 24-hour history minor requires: Electives to total 24 hours The 24-hour history-education minor requires: Electives to total 24 hours Support courses: POL 213 American National Government (3) Choose one: ECN 101 Introduction to Economics (3) ECN 222 Introduction to Macroeconomics (3) ECN 323 Economics of the Third World (3) Notes for general education: Courses required for the history major or minor meet the history portion of the liberal arts requirements. Notes for students certifying to teach: Both the history-education major and history-education minor meet certification requirements for secondary education. See Education for details. Course descriptions: A study of the rise and development of civilization throughout the world. Emphasis will be placed on the origins of Western civilization in the river valleys of Egypt and Mesopotamia, its development in Greece and Rome and its flowering during the Middle Ages. Attention will also be given to the civilizations of South and East Asia, Africa and the Americas, and their contributions to world civilization. The course will conclude with the voyages of European discovery, which brought the isolated civilizations of the world into direct contact with each other. The course will explore Christian interpretations of world history. (Offered in fall.) A continuation of HIS 121, from the rise of the Renaissance in Europe to the present day. Major themes that will be explored include the Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, revolutionary era, industrialization and colonialism, the two world wars and the Cold War. The response of the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America to the encroachments of the West will also receive emphasis. The course will conclude with the rise of an uneasy global civilization in the 21st Century. Students will be invited to explore Christian interpretations of modern history. (Offered in spring.) A study of American history from colonial times through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis will be given to the fundamental forces or cultural ideals that have shaped this period of history, such as Puritanism, the Enlightenment, the Revolution, antebellum Evangelicalism and the struggle over slavery. A multidisciplinary approach will be taken, as well as efforts to develop Christian insights concerning the unfolding of American history. (Offered in fall.) A study of the cultural ideals and forces that have helped to shape modern America, such as industrialization, progressivism, the battle between science and religion, the two world wars, the Great Depression, the New Deal and Great Society, the spirits unleashed in the 1960s, and the culture wars of the 1990s. A multidisciplinary framework will again be used, as well as efforts to develop Christian insights so that students will be better able to make sense out of life at the end of the 20th Century. (Offered in spring.) 151
HIS 221 Black Experience in America (3) A black studies course focusing on the experience of being black in America. The black experience will be analyzed from historical, sociological and artistic perspectives. (Offered in fall of even HIS 230 Contemporary World Affairs (3) For description see POL 230. (Offered in fall.) HIS 236 Christianity and Politics (3) For course description see POL 236. (Offered in spring of even HIS 302 Nineteenth Century Europe (3) Examination of political, social and ideological developments in Europe during the long peace from 1815 to 1914. Special emphasis will be placed on the growth and development of the major ideologies of conservatism, liberalism, socialism and nationalism, and how they have changed from their inception to the present. Students will be encouraged to develop discernment in the study of primary sources and the variety of historical interpretations. (Offered in fall of odd HIS 303 Twentieth Century Europe (3) A study of events and developments in Europe from the outbreak of the first World War to the present. The challenge to democratic thought and institutions posed by communism and fascism will be explored, as well as the collapse of the communist system since 1989. The decline of Europe as the center of world power and the development of a post-imperial culture will be studied. Students will be encouraged to develop discernment in the study of primary sources. (Offered in spring of odd HIS 304 Geography and History of Russia and the Former Soviet Union (3) The physical and political geography of Russia and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, a region of enormous influence on the world stage. The historical development of the Russian state, the creation of communist ideology, the Soviet Union and collapse of both ideology and the Union will be emphasized. Also listed as GEO 304. (Offered in fall of even academic years.) HIS 306 The Makings of Modern Europe (4) This seminar covers the major stations and creation of modern Europe from the end of the Roman Empire through the Enlightenment. This course will emphasize the major institutions shaping modern European society: Christendom, the idea of Rome, the creation of nobility and social classes, the development of Western thought, and finally the exploration and expansion of European influence on the outside world. (Offered in the fall semester of even years). HIS 307 Colonial America, 1492-1760 (3) Examination of the American colonies from their founding by European powers to the expulsion of the French by the British at the conclusion of the French and Indian War. Concentration will be on the clash of various cultural ideals both Native American and European as well as the religious bases of many movements and colonies. Students will be encouraged to compare and contrast various movements in light of their own maturing perspectives, and to show connections between the colonial past and present conditions. (Limited offering) HIS 308 The American Revolution (3) Examination of this crucial period in the formation of the new nation, with special emphasis on clash of cultural ideals between British and colonial leaders. Students will be encouraged to understand both sides of the struggle and to reflect upon the fate of other communities, such as native Americans, loyalists and other minorities. The strengths and weaknesses of revolutionary ideals will be studied in light of subsequent history. (Offered in Interim of even HIS 309 Civil War and Reconstruction (3) Examination of the forces leading up to the war, the major battles and the difficulties of reuniting a country torn apart by major conflict. Special emphasis will be placed on causative factors such as slavery, comparing and contrasting the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, as well as the various reconstruction plans and realities. Students will be encouraged to see all sides of this conflict, as well as reflecting on the impact it has had on subsequent history. (Offered in fall of odd academic years.) HIS 310 Twentieth Century America (3) Examination of the dominant cultural ideals that have shaped American history for the past century. Emphasis will be placed on the clash of secular and religious themes in the making of America, a struggle continuing to the present. Students will compare and contrast these movements and themes as they attempt to formulate their own perspectives on directions to take at the dawn of a new century. (Offered in spring of odd HIS 313 America in the 1960s (3) An in-depth examination of this tumultuous decade 152
that brought so many changes into American culture political, social, economic, cultural and religious. Insights from various Christian communities regarding this decade will also be introduced. Also listed as POL 313. (Offered in interim of odd HIS 331 China, India, Japan(3) Asia s lands and peoples, with special emphasis on China, India and Japan. Includes historical, political, cultural and economic insights within a geographical context. Also listed as GEO 331. (Offered online.) The African continent: the natural environment, the people and their customs, the discovery and opening of the country by explorers and missionaries, the partition of Africa and the present political and economic trends. Also listed as GEO 332. (Offered online.) Latin America from the beginning of the colonial period to the present, with the purpose of understanding their history and culture in a geographical setting, and their relations with the rest of the world. Also listed as GEO 333. (Offered as part of Guatemala Semester.) An interdisciplinary survey of the lands, history and political dynamics of Southwest Asia (commonly known as the Middle East) and North Africa, this course covers main elements of the realm s topography and cultural landscape, a survey of its history since 7th Century Muslim conquest and a discussion of current political issues. The course coincides with the holding of the Michigan Model Arab League, which students may attend in partial fulfillment of course requirements; alternatively, students may undertake focused research into a particular state or culture of the realm. Also listed as GEO 334 and POL 334. (Offered in spring of even A study of the three largest cultures in East Asia, China, India, and Korea. This course offers a survey of hte interplay between these three cultures over the past millennia. Special emphasis is on the twentieth and twenty-first century and the interplay between military, communist, and capitalist ideologies that led to the most destructive era in the history of the region but also has seen the dramatic restoration of Asian economic power in the world. Also listed as GEO 335 and POL 335.(Offered spring of odd HIS 337 Chinese Civilization and Culture (3) For description see CHI 337. Also listed as GEO 337. (Offered in fall). HIS 340 Women in American History (3) This course is designed to disclose the significant achievements of women in major fields of endeavor and will survey the voluminous literature that is available. The long struggle of American women to cast off the image of the weaker sex in an effort to have their roles recognized is a study that promises to contribute significantly to contemporary reform decisions. (Limited offering.) HIS 343 History of Christianity (3) For description, see REL 343. (Offered in fall.) HIS 346 History of Christianity in America (3) For description, see REL 346. (Offered in spring.) This course will present the history of Michigan within its geographic context at the heart of the great lakes region. The settlement of the state, the variety of peoples which make up the area, the political, social and cultural institutions of the state will be discussed. Michigan s role in the economy of North America, and history of the state s use of resources will also be emphasized. (Offered online.) HIS 368 Diplomatic History (3) A chronological and conceptual journey through the maze of relations between the United States and other states during the past 230 years. The course assumes an understanding of the broad outlines of U.S. history and a lively interest in our relations with other nation states. While grounded on founding principles, the course explores the changing dynamics of extra-territorial relations as the United States expands across the continent and extends its influence around the world. The interaction of non-state actors with national policy is a particular focus. The foreign policy challenges of the 21 st century provide a prospective conclusion to this historical overview. Also listed as POL 368. (Offered fall of odd HIS 382 International Human Rights (3) See SOC 382 for course description. Also listed as SWK 382. (Offered in spring of odd years.) HIS 403 History of Biblical Interpretation and Criticism: 153
1750-1950 (3) A study of the intellectual currents of the modern era and how those were reinterpreted through study of the Old and New Testaments. We will begin with the initial challenges to traditional scripture by Reimarus and Michaelis through the Second Quest of Bultmann, Kaesemann and others. this will be a history course that focuses on the cultural developments of the Enlightenment, nationalism, radicalism, romanticism, realism, and the cult of science. Also listed as REL 403. (Offered spring semesters of even academic years). HIS 478 Senior History Seminar (3) In this course students delve into one topic of historiographical importance to introduce methods and philosophies of interpretation. Students learn to navigate the differing opinions of historians and to evaluate their use of historical knowledge to create persuasive historical narratives. Students will write a historiographical paper that will serve as an introduction to their final capstone research paper in HIS 480: Philosophy of History. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status. (Offered in fall beginning 2018) Examination, in a seminar format, of the main secular and religious philosophies of history, as well as the methods of historical logic, research and writing. Students will demonstrate their insights by means of a major research paper which will also be delivered to the class as a formal presentation. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status. Recommended Prerequisite : HIS 478 Senior History Seminar (Offered in spring.) 154