The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Butler University

pology and other university courses may be
applied to the History major when approved
by the department chair;
• 6 hours of lower-division courses
(HST111, 205, 211, 212, 214), one of
which must be U.S. history and one of
which must be non-U.S. history;
• At least one course numbered 300-402
from three of the following five areas: 1)
US; 2) Latin America; 3) Europe; 4) Asia;
and 5) Africa and the Middle East;
• HST301, Historiography, typically offered
once a year in the fall semester; and
• HST480, Seminar in History.
As a liberal arts major with relatively few
program requirements, History works well for
many students as a secondary major or minor.
History Requirements for the Minor
A minor in History consists of 18 hours of
coursework, with at least 12 hours at the
upper-division level.
History Requirements for the
Master of Arts
The department offers a Master of Arts in
History. Graduate students may select either
a 30-hour program of courses with a master’s
thesis or a 36-hour program of courses without
a thesis. Those in the 36-hour track must complete
at least two HST480 seminars.
History Courses
HST101, First Year Seminar: This course
will introduce students to basic theories and
methods in the disciplines of anthropology and
history through the exploration of past and
present cultural encounters and exchanges and
the diverse responses they engendered. Topics
will range across time and space and focus on
exploration, trade, colonialism, imperialism
and current cross-cultural interactions. (U)(3).
Every fall.
HST211, Major Themes in European History:
This course will survey formative periods in
European societies from the late Middle Ages
to the present. Emphasis throughout will be
on the development of capitalist/industrialist
economies, state-building and nationalism, and
major transformations in European thought.
(U)(3). Every third year.
HST212, American Visions: America’s past
from the perspective of important, representative
individuals and groups, showing changing
perceptions of the American experience. Developments
in thought from Puritan times to the
present. (U)(3). Every semester.
HST214, Major Themes in Asian History:
A survey of major themes in South, Southeast
and East Asian history from ancient times to
the present, with a focus on the modern period.
It examines such processes as the formation of
classical civilizations, rise and fall of empires,
cultural encounters, transformations of
societies, and such themes as imperialism,
nationalism and Communism. (U)(3).
Every second year.
Enrollment in any HST course numbered
300 or above requires sophomore standing
or permission of the department.
HST301, Historical Method and Historiography:
A study of the methodology of some of
the more important historical writers. Required
of all majors and of candidates for graduate degrees
in history. Should be taken in the junior
or senior year. (U/G)(3). Every fall.
HST305, Topics in History: Selected topics of
significance in contemporary historical scholarship.
(U/G)(3). Every semester.
HST306, Topics in the History of Science:
This class will explore the many connections
between periods of geographical expansion and
the expansion of scientific knowledge. While
beginning with earlier examples of empire,
the readings will mainly focus on the age of
HST111, Introductory Seminar: Exploration
Exploration and the Scientific Revolution, and
of selected topics in history. (U)(3). Occasionally. 19th century imperialism and a second “revolution”
in science. Topics will include the use
HST205, Questions in History: Course examines
questions in history with a focus on issues of cross-cultural contact on the expansion of
of technology in empire building, the impact
of social, political, scientific and/ or economic
knowledge and the connections between
concern. Topics vary by instructor. May be
applications of science and imperial politics.
repeated once for credit towards the major.
(U/G)(3). Occasionally.
(U)(3). Occasionally.
159 Butler University
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences