Undergraduate Catalog 2010-2011 - SNHU Academic Archive ...

Southern New Hampshire University
standing of these authors. Lectures will take a broader perspective
and raise historical questions. This is not a course
in theology; it focuses on the historical influences the
Christian religion has had on Western culture. Prerequisite:
HIS 109 or permission of the instructor.
HIS 330 Civil War and Reconstruction (3 credits)
This course examines various interpretations of Civil War causation;
the major political, economic and military aspects of
the war; and the rebuilding of Southern society after the war’s
end. Prerequisite: HIS 113 or permission of the instructor.
HIS 332 Colonial New England (3 credits)
This course investigates the experiences and evolving institutions
of the North Atlantic colonists, from the first landings
to the making of the Constitution. Special emphasis will be
placed upon the colonists’ relationship with Native
Americans and upon the origins, progress and character of
the struggle against Great Britain. Prerequisite: HIS 113 or
permission of the instructor.
HIS 338 Republicanism, Democracy, and Expansion
(3 credits)
This course traces the growth of the United States from its
beginnings as a fledgling republic to its expansion into a continental
empire. Particular attention is given to the development
of the first and second American party systems, the
democratization of American politics, westward expansion,
the market revolution, and the changing roles of women and
African-Americans. Students should come away from the
course with an understanding of the contested definitions of
American republican ideology, the growth and limits of
American democracy, the construction and issues of the first
two American party systems, the importance of the market
revolution to the spread of the fledgling republic, the increasing
influence of slavery on American politics and society,
and the centrality of Manifest Destiny as a concept.
Prerequisite: HIS 113.
HIS 340 Historical Methods (3 credits)
Students will learn skills that are essential to understanding
the historical perspective. Topics include critical reading of
historical literature, written and oral analysis of historical
materials and use of library and archival resources. An intensive
study of books and documents from varying historical
fields and periods will be included. Required of all history
majors. Open to other interested students. (Class limit: 15
students). Prerequisite: HIS 109, HIS 110, HIS 113, HIS 114
or permission of the instructor.
HIS 353 Southern Politics & Society through
Reconstruction (3 credits)
This course examines the history of the American South
through 1877. Particular attention is given to the region’s
colonial development, dependence on slavery, antebellum
political thought, economic contributions, and social system.
Exposure will also be given to the debate over whether the
history of the American South makes it mainstream or
unique in world history. Prerequisite: HIS 113 or permission
of the instructor.
HIS 357 African American History through the Civil War
(3 credits)
This course explores the colonial and national experience of
Africans and African-Americans through 1865. Particular
attention is given to a general understanding of African history,
the trans-Atlantic slave trade, slave life in the Caribbean
and the American South, the role of free blacks in both northern
and southern colonies and states, antebellum abolitionist
and proslavery arguments, and the consequences of emancipation.
Also addressed will be the debate over whether
Africans/African-Americans were active agents or passive participants
in early American history. Prerequisite: HIS 113.
HIS 362 The American Presidency (3 credits)
This course examines the historical evolution of the
American presidency from the Constitutional Convention
through the current administration. Emphasis is placed on
the constitutional development of the presidency, from
Washington’s role as the reluctant “citizen-soldier” to the current
reasoning that the American president will set the
agenda not only for the United States but also for the world.
The presidency’s changing relationships with Congress, the
Supreme Court, state governments, and “the people” are also
examined, as is the important role campaigns play in shaping
the expectations surrounding a presidential administration.
Students should expect to spend ten to fifteen hours per week
volunteering with a presidential campaign. Prerequisite: POL
210. This course is cross-listed with POL 362.
HIS 374 The Renaissance and the Reformation
(3 credits)
This course is an examination of some of the major themes
of the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe. Through
extensive readings in primary sources, the class will explore
the major personalities of the period and their influence on
changes in many aspects of life. The lectures will focus on a
broader context and will raise historical questions concerning
such topics as science and belief, voyages of discovery,
rise of the nation/state, rise of capitalism, and the millennial
view of history. Prerequisite: HIS 109 or HIS 110.
HIS 377 The Beginning and End of the World: Genesis
and Revelation in History (3 credits)
This course will offer students a greater understanding of the
Bible and its role in shaping the thought of the West through
a close study of the books of Genesis and Revelation. We will
use a non-doctrinal, historical, literary approach to the material
introducing students to both Christian and non-Christian
interpretations. Students will explore biblical views of history
and time, creation of humankind and the human condition,
and the divine/human relationship as seen in the
Bible. After close readings of the texts, students will examine
how particular interpretations of biblical themes have influenced
art and architecture, literature, science, history and
culture. This course will be advantageous for students in
English, Literature, history and humanities as well as for
individuals who want a non-doctrinal reading of selections
from arguably the most influential literary work in the West.
Prerequisite: HIS 109.
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