Academic Catalog - Virginia Military Institute Admissions

Virginia Military Institute
12-13 Catalogue
GR 307. LITERATURE SURVEY (1100-1700) 3—0—3
Authors and works include: the Nibelungenlied, Hartmann von Aue, Martin Luther, Hans
Sachs, Andreas Gryphius and others. Prerequisite: GR 202.
GR 308. LITERATURE FROM THE ENLIGHTENMENT TO REVOLUTION 3—0—3
This course treats the literature and philosophy of the Enlightenment, classicism (Goethe,
Schiller), romanticism (Kleist, Grimm) and the Zensur that led up to the 1848 revolution.
Prerequisite: GR 202.
GR 316. TOPICS IN GERMAN 3—0—3
A topics course that varies to reflect cadet and professorial interests. The goal of this course
is to provide information and foster discussion of diverse topics from the German-speaking
world and to reinforce the language skills of all cadets enrolled. The language of instruction
is German. Prerequisite: GR 202. Retakes for credit.
GR 405 and GR 406. SEMINAR IN GERMAN LITERATURE 3—0—3
3—0—3
Directed readings of major literary works; written reports and a research paper required.
Taught in German. Prerequisite: permission of the department head. Retakes for credit.
GR 411. VIENNA, BERLIN, AND BETWEEN: GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
FROM 1911-1950 3—0—3
A study of Hermann Hesse, Robert Musil, Ernst von Salomon, Hugo von Hofmannsthal,
among others. This course focuses on how Austrians and Germans saw the world during
the first half of the 20th century. Prerequisite: 6 hours of 300 level German.
GR 412. GERMAN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE IRON CURTAIN 3—0—3
A continuation of GR 411. Students will study the unique situation of the two Germanys
during the Cold War. Emphasis on Heinrich Böll and Ulrich Plenzdorf. Prerequisite: 6 hours
of 300 level German.
GR 413. GERMANY AND THE MILITARY 3—0—3
This course treats depictions of military life and war in literature with emphasis on German
traditions and attitudes. Authors include Erich Maria Remarque and Hans Hellmuth Kirst.
Prerequisite: 6 hours of 300 level German.
GR 420W. ADVANCED CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION 3—0—3
Students examine, discuss, and debate current events of political and military topics, such
as the restructuring and deployment of the Bundesweht and Germany’s role in the European
Union. E-portfolios will constitute an important part of this course. Prerequisite: 6 hours of
300 level German. Writing Intensive (W).
GR 421. IMMIGRATION TO AND FROM GERMANY SINCE 1850 3—0—3
Readings will focus on immigration to the New World, starting in the 19th century, and the
influx of immigrants to Germany after World War II. Prerequisite: 6 hours of 300 level German.
GR 450. MODERN LANGUAGE CAPSTONE COURSE 3—0—3
The student will choose a topic incorporating an analysis of historical, literary or cultural
factors in the major language area - field experience and interdisciplinary topics are strongly
encouraged. Upon approval of the faculty adviser, the student will prepare both a research
paper and a 20-minute oral presentation. This course is required of all Modern Language
majors and is only open to first and second class Modern Language majors. The ML
Capstone project will be written in the student’s major foreign language, as appropriate, and
it will achieve a language rating of “Advanced-High”. All relevant documentation will adhere
to MLA specifications. An accepted ML Honors Thesis could substitute for this course.
history
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
DEPARTMENT head: ColONEl WilkINSON
Requirements for a major in history are specified on pages 57-59.
HI 103. WORLD HISTORY I 3—0—3
A study of the world’s major civilizations prior to 1500, concentrating on their primary values
and institutions, and their cultural contacts. Particular attention devoted to the Middle East,
China, India, the Mediterranean world, and Western Europe.
HI 104. WORLD HISTORY II 3—0—3
A study of the world’s major civilizations since 1500, the rise and expanding influence of
the West, and the interaction between the West and non-West.
HI 200. INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL METHODOLOGY 3—0—3
This course develops essential skills for historians such as: critical reading and thinking,
basic research methods and the fundamentals of organizing, writing and documenting history
papers in accordance with the standards of the discipline. Subject matter varies. Required
for majors; restricted to majors. Normally taken in the third year. Note Well: A grade of “C” or
better is required as a pre-requisite to one of the 300-level methodologically intensive courses.
HI 205. HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES I 3—0—3
A general survey of American history beginning with the Colonial Period and ending with
1877. The approach is broad with attention being given to political, diplomatic, constitutional,
intellectual, social, and economic trends. Required of history majors and minors. May be
taken as a writing-intensive course when offered (205W).
HI 206. HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES II 3—0—3
A general survey of American history covering the period 1877 to the present. The approach
is broad with attention being given to political, diplomatic, constitutional, intellectual, social,
and economic trends. Required of history majors and minors.
HI 210-299. SPECIAL COURSES 3—0—3
Occasional courses on special topics in history may be offered by visiting faculty members
or by departmental faculty. These courses fulfill regional distribution requirements if their
regional category is included in the course announcement before registration.
HI 225. HISTORICAL METHODS. IRAN: PAST AND PRESENT 3—0—3
This is a laboratory course that introduces history majors to the basic sources, methods
and skills necessary for writing history. The class is designed to guide mainly third classmen
through the process of conducting historical research, including finding and analyzing sources
and engaging with them critically, and presenting their results clearly and effectively. Topics
from Iranian history of different periods are used as historical material for students to work
on and experiment with. Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 301. ANCIENT EGYPT 3—0—3
An upper-level survey course covering the history of Egypt from the predynastic period
through the Roman occupation. Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 302. ANCIENT GREECE 3—0—3
An upper-level survey course which covers the Greek world from the Trojan War to the
death of Cleopatra. Region: Europe or Africa/Asia/Latin America, but not both.
HI 303. ANCIENT ROME 3—0—3
An upper-level survey course which covers the Roman world from the early Iron Age
settlements in Italy to Rome’s conquest of the Mediterranean and the fall of the empire.
Region: Europe or Africa/Asia/Latin America, but not both.
HI 304. THE MEDIEVAL WORLD 3—0—3
An upper-level survey of eastern and western Europe from the fall of Rome to the eve of
the Renaissance, and Islam as it impacts on these areas. Region: Europe or Africa/Asia/Latin
America. May be writing intensive when offered as HI 454W.
HI 307. ENGLISH HISTORY I 3—0—3
A study of English history from Stonehenge to the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The focus is
on social, cultural, and constitutional history, as they illuminate political trends. Region: Europe.
HI 308. ENGLISH HISTORY II 3—0—3
A study of English history from 1688 to the present. The focus is on England’s transition to
an industrial democracy without a revolution, Victorianism, and the rise to global influence
and subsequent decline. Region: Europe.
HI 309. HISTORY OF THE HOLOCAUST 3—0—3
A study of the causes, events, and results of the Nazi attempt to destroy the Jews of
Europe. Topics to be considered are: the history of the Jewish people; the causes and
history of anti-Semitism; the Nazi rise to power and persecution of the Jews; the actions
and motives of Holocaust perpetrators, victims, and bystanders; and the impact of the
Holocaust on contemporary history. May be offered as a writing intensive course (309W) at
the Instructor’s discretion. Region: Europe.
HI 310X. WAR AND SOCIETY IN MODERN CHINA 3—0—3
This course introduces cadets to the 30-year cycle of civil war and international conflict that
China experienced from the 1920s until the Communist victory of 1949. Major topics include
warlords, imperialism, the Sino-Japanese wars of the 1930s, World War II in China and the
Communist victory in China’s civil war. We will study not only the experience of the war for
combatants and citizens, but also the domestic and international causes and ramifications
of conflict. Prerequisite: HI 104. Region: Asia/Africa/Latin America. Civilizations and Cultures (X).
HI 313. THE UNITED STATES, 1900-1945 3—0—3
A comprehensive study of the United States during the Progressive Era, World War I, the
1920s, and the Great Depression. Region: United States.
HI 314. THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1945 3—0—3
A comprehensive study of the United States from World War II through recent years.
Region: United States.
HI 315. THE HISTORY OF EVERYDAY LIFE 3—0—3
Social history is an approach to the past which deemphasizes the study of “famous men,
great ideas, and big events” in favor of description and analysis of the lives of ordinary people
of the past and the social and economic structures which shaped their lives. This course
introduces students to sources and methods for the study of “history from the bottom up”
and focuses on topics such as family life, courtship and marriage, sex and death, patterns
of work and leisure, gender relations, childhood and youth, and old age. Region: Europe or
United States, but not both. Methodologically intensive.
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