History (HIST)

Faculty

Professors Pleysier and White 

Associate Professor Franklin

The study of history leads to the understanding and appreciation of the heritages of humans. Since the time when human beings invented writing, they have left records of their understanding of the world and the events in their lives and how they felt about them. We can use what we learn about the experiences of people who lived before us to help understand, if not solve, problems we face today. Though the modern world is quite different from the societies in which our ancestors lived, the knowledge of their accomplishments and failures is an important standard by which we can measure the quality of our own lives and the success of our social arrangements.

At least part of the answer to any question about the contemporary world can come from studying the circumstances that preceded it. The problem is to find those past events, forces, arrangements, ideas, or facts that had the greatest influence on the present subject being studied. The more we understand about these past influences, the more we know about the present subject to which they are related. In a world that is changing at an unprecedented pace, accompanied by increasing complexity and interdependence, such knowledge offers a major tool in combating the error of total present-mindedness that obscures the true nature of the question being studied. Viewed in this manner, history is an essential tool to fully comprehend and appreciate today’s world.

The history faculty has certain major objectives it strives to accomplish through its curriculum. First, and of paramount importance, is the student’s acquisition of historical knowledge. The number and content of courses offered, coupled with the flexible structure of history major and minor requirements, enable students to pursue a wide range of topics. Second, history students are exposed to an enormous amount of material which they learn to organize into meaningful categories of information. Third, students of history must be able to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms. Finally, the constant improvement of student reading ability is also of major importance. Text assignments, critiques of journal articles, research for term papers and book reviews permit students to use and strengthen these essential skills.

Course Descriptions