HI: Courses in History
Department of History
HI 101-102 History of Western Civilization 6 credit
A survey of the chief political, economic, social, intellectual, religious,
and cultural developments of the West in their historical context.
Required for all history majors. Offered annually.
HI 201 Greek History 3 credit
A study of the Greek experience with special emphasis on the political,
social, economic, and cultural factors which have influenced modern
civilization. Fall semester, odd-numbered years.
HI 202 Roman History 3 credit
A study of the Roman experience with special emphasis on the political,
economic, social, and cultural factors which have influenced modern
civilization. Spring semester, even-numbered years.
HI 203-204 Medieval History 6 credit
The development of Europe from the decline of the Roman Empire to
the beginning of the 16th century. Fall semester, even-numbered years
and spring odd-numbered years.
HI 211 History of Modern Europe to 1870 3 credit
A survey of the major political, social, economic and intellectual
developments from 1648 to 1870. This course may be used to meet
history major or minor program requirements. Offered annually in
the Fall semester.
HI 212 History of Modern Europe since 1870 3 credit
A survey of the major political, social, economic and intellectual
development from 1870 to the present. This course may be used to
meet history major or minor program requirements. Offered annually
in the Spring semester.
HI 221-222 History of the United States 6 credit
An introductory survey of the American experience from the Age of
Exploration to the present, with emphasis on those national traits
which continue to influence American attitudes and actions. Required
of all history majors. Offered annually.
HI 231 Montana and the West 3 credit
An introductory survey of Montana’s past and its importance in the
development of the West, from the period of exploration to the present.
Fall semester, odd-numbered years.
HI 251 Introduction to East Asia 3 credit
A survey of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean culture and history, with
emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. Fall semester, even-numbered
years.
HI 271 History of Modern Latin America 3 credit
A survey of the major trends in the political, social, economic and
intellectual development of Latin America since independence. The
primary focus will be on the histories of Mexico, Cuba, Brazil and
Argentina, although examples from across the region will be studied.
Fall semester. Fulfills global diversity requirement.
HI 291 Modern African History 3 credit
A survey of Sub-Saharan African history from the eighteenth to the
twenty-first centuries with an emphasis on formal colonization, colonialism,
decolonization, and post-colonial developments. Fall semester,
even-numbered years. Fulfills the global diversity requirement.
HI 301-302 History of the Catholic Church 6 credit
An introductory survey of the history of the Catholic Church from the
time of Christ to the present post-conciliar period, emphasizing the
organic development of the Church in its historical context through
the ages. Fall semester, even-numbered years and spring semester,
odd-numbered years.
HI 303 Renaissance History 3 credit
A history of the Renaissance in Europe from the beginning of the
14th century to the middle of the 16th century, with emphasis on the
intellectual and cultural achievements of that period. Fall semester,
odd-numbered years.
HI 304 History of the Reformation 3 credit
A history of the Reformation from the beginning of the 16th century
to the middle of the 17th century, including a treatment of the
complex political, economic, social, and cultural milieu in which
religious differences arose. Emphasis is on the theological disputes
which shattered the unity of medieval Christendom. Spring semester,
even-numbered years.
HI 305 The Long Nineteenth Century: Europe, 1789-1918 3 credit
An interpretative course which investigates a number of significant
themes in the history of nineteenth century Europe. Revolution,
liberalism and nationalism, industrialization, the question of class,
diplomacy and imperialism are among the subjects to be examined.
Spring semester, odd-numbered years. Fulfills writing intensive requirement.
HI 307 Contemporary Europe: Politics, Society and Culture since 1945 3 credit
An interpretative course which examines various themes in the history
of the Continent since the end of the Second World War. The
reconstruction of Europe, the trials of war criminals, the Cold War, the
protests of the 1960s, European integration and the collapse of Communism
are some of the topics that will be examined. Spring semester,
even-numbered years. Fulfills writing intensive requirement.
HI 309 European Gender History 3 credit
A thematically-organized course in modern European history that
asks how gender norms, expectations, and constructions have shaped
modern European history. Topics include the French Revolution,
work and industrialization, marriage, consumption patterns, Victorian
norms, colonialism, the push for suffrage, the two World Wars, the
Cold War, decolonization, and post-war, “second wave” feminism.
Fall semester.
HI 314 History of Modern France 3 credit
A history of France since 1715, with emphasis on the political, cultural
and social debates that have shaped the country since that time.
Spring semester, even-numbered years. Fulfills writing intensive
requirement.
HI 316 History of Modern Germany 3 credit
A history of Germany from 1648 to the present, with an emphasis on
the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and the questions of political
unity, militarism and economic development. Fall semester, evennumbered
years. Fulfills writing intensive requirement.
HI 317 The Weimar Republic: The Path to the Nazi Dictatorship 3 credit
An analytical study of Germany during the time of the Weimar Republic
(1919-1933). Special emphasis is placed on political, intellectual,
economic, and military developments during a critical phase of German
history. Offered at the discretion of the department.
HI 320 History of Modern Russia 3 credit
A history of Russia from Kievan times to the Confederation of Independent
States (CIS). Special attention is given to political and intellectual
progress. Offered at the discretion of the department.
HI 321 Topics in the History of Spain & Portugal 3 credit
An investigation of several themes and periods in the history of Spain
and Portugal. Topics to be examined will range from the medieval
period to the creation of overseas empires, to the crises of the nineteenth
centuries and the dictatorships of the twentieth. This course is
not a survey, but will instead be organized on a thematic and topical
approach. Offered at the discretion of the instructor.
HI 322 Civil War and Reconstruction 3 credit
An investigation of the ideas, personalities, and events of the critical
years between 1830-1890. Includes an examination of abolitionists,
sectionalism, civil rights, and military action. Spring semester, evennumbered
years.
HI 323 20th Century American History 3 credit
An interpretive examination of the special forces that have shaped
American history, from 1900 to the present, with particular emphasis
on the social and cultural aspects of the period. Spring semester, oddnumbered
years.
HI 352 American - East Asian Relations 3 credit
An analytical survey of America’s interaction with East Asia since 1800.
Special emphasis is placed on economic, religious, cultural, diplomatic,
and military exchanges. Spring semester, odd-numbered years.
HI 382 The Second World War Era 3 credit
This course will allow students to examine the period of the Second
World War in considerable depth. The origins of the war and subsequent
diplomacy, the military dimension of the conflict, the Holocaust,
and the impact of the war away from the front lines will all be themes of
the course. The diversity of experience between 1939-1945 is striking.
This course does not attempt to be a survey, but rather will seek to give
students the opportunity to examine some of the most significant and
controversial issues of the period. Offered summers at the discretion
of the instructor.
HI 411 The Holocaust 3 credit
An examination of the destruction of European Jewry within Nazidominated
Europe. The origins of, development of and response to the
Holocaust will be assessed using a variety of resources. Fall semester,
odd-numbered years.
HI 421-422 American Diplomatic History 6 credit
An analytical survey of major developments and trends in United States
diplomacy from the American Revolution to the present. Fall semester,
odd-numbered years and spring semester, even-numbered years.
HI 424 History of the Trans-Mississippi West 3 credit
A topical study of the Trans-Mississippi West from the late 18th
through the 20th centuries. Special emphasis on the myths and symbolism
of the West, and on the West’s impact on the nation’s attitudes
and values. Fall semester, even-numbered years.
HI 486 Readings and Conference 1-3 credit
An informal seminar course with readings and reports in selected
periods of history. Offered by arrangement. Prerequisite: Consent of
the department chairperson and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
See Independent Study.
HI 493 Historical Research Practicum 3 credit
A practical research course conducted at the Montana Historical Society.
Designed to familiarize research-oriented students with research,
methodology, and historical materials. Prerequisite: Junior standing
and consent of the instructor. Offered each semester on an arranged
basis. This course may be taken more than once.
HI 494 Historiography 3 credit
A formal seminar which surveys theories and literature of history as
seen in the work of a variety of historians. Emphasis will be on methodological
and topical approaches. Required for all history majors.
Offered annually in the Spring semester. Fulfills writing intensive
requirement.
HI 495 Research Seminar in History 3 credit
A formal seminar in which the students research, write, and evaluate
major papers based on primary and secondary source materials. Required
for all history majors. Fall semester.