Course Descriptions
HIST-4 Western Civilization to 1600 AD
(3 units lecture) CR/NC option CSU and UC An exploration
of the evolution of civilization in the greater Mediterranean
region from the development of agriculture in ancient
Mesopotamia through the Protestant Reformation in Europe
and the height of the Ottoman Empire. Students will examine
the multicultural roots of basic institutions, practices, and ideas
of Western civilization, such as monotheism, the scientific
method, capitalism, and colonialism. Special attention will be
paid to changing configurations of political, social, economic,
and ideological power, and the region’s developing ties to
the Atlantic world. The course will also introduce students to
the nature of historical interpretation and the use of primary
documents from a wide variety of sources. Recommended:
ENGL-150/150L
HIST-5 Western Civilization: 1600-Present
(3 units lecture) CR/NC option CSU and UC An introduction
to the development of the “West” from the crises of the 17th
century to the present. A central theme will be how a weak
and fragmented western Europe became a major influence in
the world, strongly identified with modernity, technology, and
expanding economic, political, cultural, and social systems.
Students will investigate the increasing power of the nation-
state and systems of empire, and the ways in which ideas of
race, class, and gender played a part in this evolution. Special
attention will be paid to the evolution of ideologies, such as
capitalism, imperialism, communism, and globalization. The
course will also introduce students to the nature of historical
interpretation and the use of primary documents from a wide
variety of sources. Recommended: ENGL-150/150L
HIST-6 The Vietnam War
(3 units lecture) CR/NC option CSU and UC An examination
of the history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The class will
provide an in-depth analysis of the years of deepest U.S.
involvement, 1954-1975, and briefly cover Vietnam’s early
history and the origins of the Vietnamese warrior spirit in its
opposition to Chinese and French domination. The aftermath
of U.S. involvement will be examined as relates to veterans,
refugees, and the present states of former French Indochina.
The course will also introduce students to the nature of
historical interpretation by examining sources written
during the historical time period investigated in the class.
Recommended: ENGL-150/150L
HIST-7 History of Modern Asia
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC A survey of the
political, social and cultural history of the Asian Pacific Rim
countries from 1800 to the present, with emphasis on their
relations with Europe and the United States. The course
examines the impact of Western culture on China, Japan and
other selected areas of East and Southeast Asia and these
countries’ involvement in the international community. The
major political movements of the 20th century, nationalism
and communism, are studied. Recommended: ENGL-150/150L
HIST-8 United States History to 1877
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC An exploration in the
history of the United States from the original inhabitants of the
North American continent to the end of the Reconstruction
period after the American Civil War. Of special importance is
how the social, political, diplomatic, cultural, gender, ethnic,
economic relations, and institutions changed over time. The
course will also introduce students to the nature of historical
interpretation and how to interpret sources written during the
historical time periods investigated in the class. Recommended:
ENGL-150/150L (CAN HIST 8)
HIST-9 United States History Since 1877
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC An exploration
in the history of the United States from the end of the
Reconstruction period after the Civil War to the present.
Of special importance is how the social, cultural, political,
diplomatic, gender, ethnic, economic relations, and institutions
changed over time. The course will also introduce students
to the nature of historical interpretation and how to interpret
sources written during the historical time periods investigated
in the class. Recommended: ENGL-150/150L (CAN HIST10)
HIST-11 History of Women in America: Pre-Contact
To 1877
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC An in-depth
historical study of the social, cultural, political, and economic
developments in the United States from the perspective of
the American woman, from the period just prior to European
contact through the end of Reconstruction. Special emphasis
is placed upon the varying ways in which women of diverse
classes, races, and ethnicities have both contributed to and
been affected by the larger historical patterns in American
history. The course will introduce students to the nature of
historical interpretation, enable students to interpret sources
written during the historical time periods investigated in the
class, and familiarize students with gender related issues in
the American past. Recommended: ENGL-150/150L
HIST-12 History of Women in America: 1877-Present
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC An in-depth
historical study of the social, cultural, political, and economic
developments in the United States from the perspective of
the American woman, from the end of Reconstruction to the
present day. Special emphasis is placed upon the varying ways
in which women of diverse classes races, and ethnicities have
both contributed to, and been affected by, the larger historical
patterns in American history. The course will introduce
students to the nature of historical interpretation, enable
students to interpret sources written during the historical
time periods investigated in the class, and familiarize students
with gender related issues in the American past. Recommended:
ENGL-150/150L
HIST-18 History of California
(3 units lecture) CR/NC option CSU and UC This course surveys
the economic, social, political, and cultural developments in
California history from the first European explorations to the
present.
HIST-20 World History: Prehistory to 1500 AD
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU An overview of the world
from prehistory to 1500 AD. The culture, politics, society,
religions, and economic development of civilizations
throughout the world are examined. Particular attention is
paid to long-term trends and the periodic crises that reshaped
the links between cultures and within civilizations. A detailed
research paper into a particular country or region is required.
Recommended: ENGL-150/150L
HIST-21 World History: 1500 Ad to the Present
(3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU An overview of world
history from 1500 to the present. The culture, politics,
society, religions, and economic development of civilizations
throughout the world are examined. Particular attention is
paid to the effects of colonialism and nationalism on the world
stage, and the periodic crises that reshaped the links between
cultures and within civilizations. A detailed research paper
into a particular country or region is required. Recommended:
ENGL-150/150L
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