Bachelor of Arts in History

The purpose of this course is to prepare the student for upper-division course work, research, and writing based on historical methodologies such as quantification or paleography. It is designed to familiarize the student with what historians do and how they do it, and affords the student the opportunity to develop their own skills as a historian by interpreting and evaluating primary and secondary source material and presenting their findings in a written, properly referenced format.

This course is a comprehensive international study of the struggles between and among states, beginning with ancient times and ending with the Congress of Vienna, and of the relationship between diplomacy and war in pursuing national objectives. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is a comprehensive international study of the struggles between and among states, beginning with the restructuring of Europe after the Congress of Vienna and ending with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and of the relationship between diplomacy and war in pursuing national objectives. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course examines the overall evolution and functioning of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) during the Cold War period. Emphasis is on the significance of individual peacekeeping missions, including their background, functioning, military operations, and end result. The origins and evolution of UN peacekeeping are explained in military, diplomatic, and political terms. This course describes how superpower conflicts shaped both the direction and scope of UN PKOs. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only). Completion of this course will make students eligible to obtain a certificate of completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute. It is up to the student to go to the POTI website to find how to obtain the POTI certificate.

This course examines the strategy, operations, evolution, and functions of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) from the end of the Cold War to the present. Emphasis is on the significance of individual peacekeeping missions, including their background, functioning, military operations, and end result. While the United Nations peacekeeping operations are studied in detail, other forms of peacekeeping are presented as well. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only). Completion of this course will make students eligible to obtain a certificate of completion from the United Nation's Peace Operations Training Institute. It is up to the student to go to the POTI website to find how to obtain the POTI certificate.

This course explores North American history from the dawn of the British colonization of North America to the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, which sparked subsequent British Colonial Policy and thus set into motion the events leading to American Revolution in 1775. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

The Early Republic, 1783-1815 examines the development of American political, social, and cultural institutions during the formative years of the new Republic. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

Jacksonian America, 1815-1846 examines the nature of Jacksonian democracy and its treatment in American historiography. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

Antebellum America, 1846-1861 examines the divisive political, social, and economic forces which intensified in the 1840s and culminated in the Civil War. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877 examines the wartime problems of the Union and Confederacy, as well as the consequences of the war and the postwar efforts to create a new Union. Through a study of the primary and secondary literature of American history this course surveys the individuals and groups who influenced the American experience, as well as the cultural, military, political, and socio-economic movements that shaped the nation. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course provides a survey of the visual arts in America. Students will learn how to look at, write about, and interpret major works of art that represent the best of the American achievement from the beginning to the present day. Topics will include the political, social, religious, cultural, and aesthetic functions of painting, sculpture, filmmaking, photography and other media. No prior art classes or experiences are required.

This course provides a chronological survey of American architectural history from the earliest settlements through modern times. It emphasizes the relationship of architecture to the American culture in which it was produced and the influence on later generations.

This course is an introduction to constitutional law, the Supreme Court, and criminal procedure using the "case and comment" approach. Its concentration is on the study and analysis of United States Constitutional Law. It emphasizes those provisions of the Bill of Rights pertaining to criminal justice. Topics include: the historical events that led to the development of the Constitution; principles governing the operation of the Constitution and the role of the U.S. Supreme Court; characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; development of due process and individual protections; right to counsel, unreasonable searches and seizures; compulsory self-incrimination; and cruel and unusual punishment.

This course covers the history of the Greek speaking peoples from the origins of Greek civilization during the Bronze Age to the dispersion of Greek culture during the Hellenistic era through the conquests of Alexander the Great. The topics emphasize the political, social, cultural, and economic institutions and values that Hellas created to revolutionize Ancient Mediterranean history. Students gain an introduction to the history of Greek civilization and a deeper understanding of the nature of democracy, and the relationships among politics, art, literature, and the ideals of civic virtue. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course will study the history of Ancient Roman civilization from the founding of the Republic in 735 BC to the fall of the western empire in 476 AD. Roman political, military and cultural events and personalities will be the focus of this course. Interaction and conflict with neighboring Mediterranean, western tribal, sophisticated eastern, and later barbarian cultures will serve as the thematic core. The course will also examine the lasting impression and influence of Ancient Roman civilization on European and Western culture. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course will cover the history of Europe from the 4th/5th century when the Roman Empire was ending to the middle of the 14th century when the new nations were fully defined. Starting with the fall of the Romans and the effect of that fall on Europe, the course will cover the arrival of the “barbarian” invaders, the reign of Charlemagne, the rise of separate, new European states such as France, England and Germany as well as the Church, the relations between these states and with the Byzantine Empire, the period of the Crusades, and the development of different government systems in the various European nations. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is a survey of Western Europe from 1350 to 1600. It examines the political, military and social events surrounding the re-birth of classical knowledge and artistic expression in Italy known as the Renaissance. The course also traces the movement of the Renaissance northward, focusing on the coming Reformation era. The last part of the course studies the Protestant and Catholic Reformations to include how the Reformations effected the growth of the modern nation-state. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course examines the "Age of the Enlightenment" in France with the reigns of King Louis XV and Louis XVI. Through readings of the functioning of the monarchy, on the world of everyday peoples in Paris and the countryside, and the intellectual climate of the era, students will be able to reconstruct the time known as "the ancient regime." The class will also analyze readings by authors such as Diderot, Voltaire, DuChâtelet, and Rousseau to gain a sense of the intellectual excitement of the "Enlightenment." (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course examines the British Empire from the late 18th century to the 1960s. It includes the settler colonies, the colonies inhabited almost exclusively by non-European peoples, and the "informal empire" of trade and investment as well as the impact of the Empire upon the British Isles. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course focuses on the great crises of 20th century European civilization, from the outbreak of war in August 1914 to the defeat of Hitler Germany in May 1945. Through novels and historical monographs, it explores the effects of total war and mass mobilization on the industrially advanced state systems of the period, as well as the social emancipation, economic disintegration, and cultural innovation brought on by the great wars of the period. Particular attention is paid to the experience of the "great powers" (Germany, the Soviet Union, Britain and France), which is supplemented by student research on the smaller countries of Europe. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is an overview of the major historical, political, cultural, religious, and military issues associated with the Holocaust. It will examine how the anti-Semitic propaganda of the early Nazi Party manifested itself into a legitimate political platform, evolving into state sponsored legal legislation, and culminating into an industrialized killing industry. Students will be introduced to the principle historical figures, events and timelines regarding the birth of the Nazi Party, their taking control of the German nation, and finally their political and military actions against those deemed ‘subhuman’. In addition, students will also become well-versed in The Hague and Geneva Conventions regarding the roles of the military and the protective status and qualifications of noncombatants. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course explores European colonial history from the fifteenth century to the present. It takes into account the exploration, colonization, and decolonization of the Americas, Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East by three major European powers: Britain, France, and Spain. The actions of these countries, among others in Europe, affected the areas they colonized and the indigenous populations for generations to come. This course will focus on the expansion of European empires, the consolidation, management, and disintegration of the empires. Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only

The course evaluates European politics from the French Revolution to the industrialization process and effects in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Students assess the impact of military modernization and analyze the commercialization of the culture. An overview of politics and wars in the 20th century and their relationship to the fall and rise of the economy will be presented as well as the concept of European security. The forces of modernization, causes of war, and power of unification will be evaluated, with an emphasis on effects and divisions of the Cold War and democratization wave of the 1990’s. It will examine the evolution of trade unions to a regional union with its effects on politics, economics and security, including case studies of regional terrorism. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

The course covers the history of Russia and its people from the medieval period up to the present. While student projects can be on any aspect of Russian history from any period, the emphasis in the classroom will be on political and social history from the period of reforms in the mid 19th century up to the fall of the Soviet Union. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is a study of the history of the modernization of the Pacific Basin in the 20th Century. It covers all the Asian nations except those of the Indian subcontinent. The course will cover such areas as the technological and economic development of the Pacific Basin, the trauma associated with the changes to the old order, social and economic upheaval, industrialization, and urbanization. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course examines the history of Africa from the first periods in recorded history, through the colonial period and 20th Century. The focus is upon the major European powers that influenced the continent and the internal social, religious, political and economic dynamics specific to each region. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course examines Middle Eastern history from the era of Suleyman the Magnificent, the 16th-century Ottoman sultan, to the late 20th century. It traces the roots of current Middle Eastern politics to social changes-- as the region lost its pivotal role in the world economy in the 19th century but gained oil wealth-- and to the political aftershocks of colonial occupation a century ago. Themes include the emergence off dictatorship and violence in politics during the 20th century, and especially the conflicts centered on the emergence of Israel; the rise of new political ideologies, nationalism, liberalism, and Islamism; the rise of women’s rights movements, and the reasons that political conflict has come to center on women’s status; and the polarization of rich and poor classes that continues to destabilize domestic politics. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course examines the complex and diverse history of Iraq from its ancient roots to the present. Students analyze the evolution of the modern Iraqi state, its roots in Islamic law, the effects of imperialism, monarchy, and the emergence of the militant dictatorship. In addition, students examine social, cultural, and economic traditions that have contributed to the development of Iraqi policy. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is a survey course of Latin American History. The subject is approached from two very different perspectives. The primary method is a comprehensive overview of Latin American history and theories important to the study of Latin America and the second provides the student with an overview of the history of individual Latin American countries. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course is a study of major national and international developments within East, Southeast, and South Asia, to include current key issues involving China, Japan, the two Koreas, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, and India. This course focuses on issues in Asia that are important to the national security of the United States, particularly military, political, and economic issues. The course will also provide a close examination of U.S. relations with Asian nations. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

WINTER 2011 TOPIC: HISTORY OF IMMIGRATION This course is an introduction to the social, cultural, and political history of immigration in the United States since late colonial period. Throughout the course, we will specifically seek to answer the following questions: Why have people immigrated to the United States? To what extent have immigrants become "Americanized," and, conversely, how have immigrants shaped American society and institutions? How has US immigration policy developed since the eighteenth century, and to what effect? In what ways have race, class, and gender shaped the immigrant experience? Why has nativism persisted throughout American history, and how has it changed over time? Finally, underlying all of these questions is the issue of American citizenship, and we will consider how immigrants have contributed to changing and competing notions of citizenship throughout US history. Dr. Sam Mitrani will be teaching this course. This course is a one-time offering on an area of special interest and may be applied to fulfill major course requirements or electives. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

An opportunity for History students to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of history under the mentorship of a single professor. Course is open to History majors only. The course will typically involve a major research paper; there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, and a rough draft of the paper, both of which will count toward the final grade. To be eligible for an independent study, students must be enrolled in a bachelors degree program, must have completed 24 hours at APUS toward their current degree program, and should have already contacted a professor and gained approval for the independent study topic. Once these conditions are met the student should contact his/her academic advisor. Once the course is open the student must complete an official online registration for the course. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

Students analyze China from historical, geographic, political, military and technological perspectives. China’s regional relationships with North Korea, Japan and Taiwan are assessed to determine regional dynamics. China’s internal and external policies with respect to the Internet are explored to include Cyber War and the “Great Firewall of China”(Prerequisite: INTL434).

Pre Reqs: Threat Analysis(INTL434)

Explores the development of the future Iraqi state. Students first study Iraqi history through the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein. The role of ethnic and religious rivalries is covered in-depth. Post-2003 stability and development activities are also investigated. (Prerequisite: INTL434).

Pre Reqs: Threat Analysis(INTL434)

Students investigate the growing role of Iran as a Middle East Power. A study of Iranian history through the 1979 Revolution is conducted. An in-depth analysis of post-revolution development is then made to determine Iran’s military, economic, and social strengths and weaknesses. A central focus is on the development of Iran’s nuclear programs. (Prerequisite: INTL434).

Pre Reqs: Threat Analysis(INTL434)

Addresses the issues in and around the Korean Peninsula. Students make an in-depth examination of key differences between North and South Korea and their neighbors. This will be accomplished by examining historical, sociological, economic, geographic, political, and defense factors as they relate to current issues important to the Korean peninsula today. (Prerequisite: INTL434).

Pre Reqs: Threat Analysis(INTL434)

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

The Senior Seminar in History is designed to integrate the student's past work in their major field of study and to review as well as strengthen their understanding of their focus area in history. After a review of the student’s academic experience, the student and professor will design a course of study to round out the student’s preparation for research and writing a major paper in their field of interest. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other History courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).