Department of History
HI 101-102 History of Western Civilization 6 credits
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 and minors. Offered annually in the fall (HI 101) and spring (HI 102).
HI 121-122 History of the United States 6 credits
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 and minors. Offered annually in the fall (HI 121) and spring (HI 122).
HI 204 Medieval History 3 credits
The development of Europe from the decline of the Roman Empire to the beginning of the 16th century. Spring semester, odd-numbered years.
HI 205 Nineteenth-century Europe 3 credits
A survey of the major political, social, cultural, economic and intellectual developments from 1789-1914. Fall semester, even-numbered years.
HI 231 Montana and the West 3 credits
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 239 History of the Ancient Mediterranean 3 credits
The History of the Ancient Mediterranean is a survey of ancient civilizations around the Mediterranean basin, specifically Greece, Rome, and the Near East to the rise of Islam in the seventh century A.D. Consideration will also be given to Ancient Egypt and Mediterranean connections to the Silk Road. The course focuses on the cultural interactions and exchanges that took place around the Mediterranean: material, cultural, religious, and social; the importance of merchants and trade networks; and the Mediterranean Sea as a space both connected and conflicted. Fall semester, even-numbered years.
HI 241 History of the Modern Middle East 3 credits
This course traces the history of the Middle East, specifically Egypt and Iran, from 1914 to the present. Specifically, the course will address the roles played by economics, politics, culture, imperialism, and the three Abrahamic faiths in shaping the region's history. Attention will also be given to gender, violence, and the chances for a lasting peace. Spring semester, odd-numbered years. Fulfills the Global Diversity requirement.
HI 251 Introduction to East Asia 3 credits
A survey of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean culture and history, with emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. Fall semester, even-numbered years. Fulfills the global diversity requirement
HI 271 History of Modern Latin America 3 credits
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, Chile, and Argentina, although examples from across the region will be studied. Fall semester, odd-numbered years. Fulfills the global diversity requirement. (NOTE: Due to scheduling needs, this class will be offered again in the spring of 2014.)
HI 291 Modern African History 3 credits
A survey of Sub-Saharan African history from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries with an emphasis on slavery, formal colonization, colonialism, decolonization, and post-colonial developments. Fall semester, even-numbered years. Fulfills the global diversity requirement.
HI 303 Renaissance History 3 credits
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. Fulfills the writing intensive requirement.
HI 304 The Reformation and Age of Exploration 3 credits
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 307 The Cold War in Historical Perspective 3 credits
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, the collapse of Communism, and post-Communist developments are some of the topics that will be examined. Spring semester, odd-numbered years. Fulfills the writing intensive requirement.
HI 309 European Gender History 3 credits
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 postwar, “second wave” feminism. Spring semester, even-numbered years.
HI 312 History of Ireland 3 credits
This course begins with the first settlers to Ireland over 9,000 years ago and ends in the present. Under consideration will be the rich diversity that has shaped Irish history including the the Celts, Christianity, the native Irish, English settlers, Protestantism, famine, music, sports literature, the Irish Republican Brotherhood/Army, the division of Ireland, and much more. Fall semester, even-numbered years.
HI 314 History of Modern France 3 credits
A history of France since 1870, with emphasis on the political, cultural and social debates that have shaped the country since that time. Fall semester, odd-numbered years. Fulfills the writing intensive requirement.
HI 316 History of Modern Germany 3 credits
A history of Germany from a thematic perspective with an emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and the questions of political unity, militarism and economic development. Fulfills the writing intensive requirement. Offered at the discretion of the department.
HI 317 Interwar Europe, 1919-1939 3 credits
A wide-ranging study of Europe between World War I and World War II, 1919-1939. Special emphasis is placed on political, intellectual, social, cultural, economic, and military developments during a critical phase of modern European history. Offered at the discretion of the department.
HI 322 Civil War and Reconstruction 3 credits
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, even-numbered years.
HI 323 20th-Century American History 3 credits
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, odd-numbered years.
HI 352 American - East Asian Relations 3 credits
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 credits
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 Spring semester, odd-numbered years.
HI 411 The Holocaust 3 credits
An examination of the destruction of European Jewry within Nazi-dominated Europe. The origins of, development of and response to the Holocaust will be assessed using a variety of resources. Offered at the discretion of the department. (Note: The department will offer this class as an "Interdisciplinary Learning Course" in conjunction with the theology department. The course meets CORE requirements in history and theology. Please contact Dr. Chris Fuller or Dr. Gillian Glaes for more information. Scheduled next for the spring of 2014.)
HI 421-422 American Diplomatic History 6 credits
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 credits
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 credits
An informal seminar course with readings and reports in selected periods of history not covered in other classes offered by the history department or other departments on campus. Offered by arrangement with the instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of the department chairperson.
HI 493 Historical Research Practicum 3 credits
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 credits
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 the writing intensive requirement.
HI 495 Research Seminar in History 3 credits
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. Offered annually in the Fall semester.