Academic Catalog - Virginia Military Institute Admissions

Virginia Military Institute
12-13 Catalogue
HI 316. Food and Hunger in History 3—0—3
This course explores themes and issues relating to social and cultural dimensions of food
and food shortages in past times. The course ranges widely across time and space and
adopts an explicitly comparative approach. Topics examined include the transition from
hunting and gathering to agriculture, the historical development of food production and
distribution systems, the emergence of staple crops as commodities, and the causes and
consequences of food shortages. The course is open to students of all majors who have
passed both semesters of World History (HI 103 and HI 104). The course may be offered
as a “Civilizations and Cultures” course (HI 316X)
HI 319. THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE 3—0—3
A general introduction to the African American experience in the United States beginning
in Africa in the 15th century and continuing through to the late 20th century. Region: United
States. Methodologically intensive.
HI 321. THE OLD SOUTH 3—0—3
The social, intellectual, economic, and political history of the American South before the
Civil War. Major topics include the plantation system, slavery, and the evolution of southern
sectionalism. Region: United States.
HI 322. THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION 3—0—3
The causes and course of the American Civil War and the issues and consequences of
Reconstruction. Region: United States.
HI 323 HISTORY OF THE SOUTH FROM 1865 3—0—3
Political, social, economic, cultural, and demographic history of the Southern United States
from 1865 to the present, with emphasis on interpretations of Southern history by twentiethcentury
historians. Topics include Reconstruction, segregation and disfranchisement, the “New
South Creed” and industrialization, the Civil Rights Movement, and Southern popular culture.
Prerequisite: HI 206 or permission of instructor. Region: United States. Methodologically intensive.
HI 324. AMERICAN FOREIGN RELATIONS TO 1919 3—0—3
An upper level survey of American foreign relations from the founding of the nation through
World War I. Emphasis will be placed on the securing of American independence, continental
expansion of the mid 19th century and the global expansion of American interests in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. Considers the interplay of diplomacy, security issues,
economics and culture in American relations with the world. Region: United States.
HI 325. AMERICAN FOREIGN RELATIONS SINCE 1919 3—0—3
An upper level survey of American foreign relations from the end of World War I until recent
times. Important topics include America’s emergence as a leading economic power, the
background to World War II, the rise and the demise of the Cold War and American attempts
to cope with the post-Cold War world. Prior completion of HI 324, “American Foreign Relations
to 1919” is recommended, but not required. Region: United States.
HI 327. INDIA FROM THE AGE OF THE HARRAPANS TO THE PRESENT DAY 3—0—3
An upper-level survey of the history of India from the earliest age of complex society on
the subcontinent to the present day. Topics include the development of India’s religions, the
caste system, art, philosophy, and politics as well as India’s role in European imperialism. In
addition, the class will examine the development of India post-1945 to illustrate the rising
importance of the country on the modern international stage. Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 328. BRITISH IMPERIALISM 3—0—3
An upper-level survey that will examine the growth of the British empire beginning in
16th century England and examine the importance of the institution to British development
and the impact that it had on world history. Topics include the ideology underpinning the
institution and changes to imperial ideology over time, the political growth of the empire
and its role in British diplomacy, the economic impact of it on British life, and the effect of
it on indigenous populations. Finally, the course examines the legacy of British imperialism
in the modern world. Region: Europe or Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 330. TOPICS IN ANCIENT HISTORY 3—0—3
A problems course covering selected topics in the ancient world, historical controversies,
and major turning points. The course presumes a general knowledge of the ancient world
from the first semester of Western or World Civilization. The three civilizations discussed
will be the Ancient Near East, Greece, and Rome. Region: Europe or Africa/Asia/Latin America,
but not both. Methodologically intensive.
HI 331. COLONIAL AMERICA 3—0—3
A study of eastern North America from contact through the American revolution. The
early colonial section examines major social, political, religious, and economic trends,
plus evolving relationships with Indians. The revolutionary section examines the complex
forces which produced the American rebellion and concludes with a campaign history of
the Revolutionary War. Region: United States. Methodologically intensive.
HI 332. NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS 3—0—3
A survey of North American Indian history from late pre-contact through the twentieth
century. Requires a major research paper on one tribe north of Mexico. Region: United States.
Usually offered as Writing Intensive.
HI 333. HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST I 3—0—3
Surveys the history of the Middle East and North Africa from the rise of Islam in the 7th
century in Arabia to the beginning of the modern era in the 1800s. Focuses on Islam as both
a religion and a civilization and includes the study of the Islamic faith and its institutions, the
political history of the region and aspects of the culture, particularly art and architecture.
Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 334. HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST II 3—0—3
Continues the History of the Middle East in the modern period. The course begins in the
eighteenth century with the waning of the power of the Ottoman Empire and follows the region
through a period of historic change and transformation to the present. Students will focus
on the following issues, among others: the socio-economic transformation of the region in
the 19th century, European imperialism and colonialism, the evolution of the modern state
system, the conflict over Palestine and the rise of political Islam. Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 335. THE VIETNAM WAR 3—0—3
Traces the military, political, and diplomatic history of Vietnam from the earliest times to
the present. The course emphasizes the period after the second World War: the Indo-China
War, and especially, the Vietnam War. Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 336. ISLAM IN NORTH AMERICA AND WESTERN EUROPE 3—0—3
Islam is believed to be growing faster than any religion in the United States today, and
is the second largest religion in Europe. This methodologically intensive course examines
the past and contemporary history of Muslims in the West, including the emergence and
development of Muslim communities and institutions, Islamic devotional life and education,
the impact of Muslims’ immigration from the Middle East and Africa, and the process of their
integration into Western societies. Looking beyond mutually hostile stereotyping between
Islam and the West is one of the objectives of the class. Region: United States or Europe, but
not both. Methodologically intensive.
HI 346. MODERN JAPAN 3—0—3
An examination of the rise of modern Japan from the mid-19th century to the present.
Topics that will be covered are: the opening of Japan and the Meiji Restoration, economic
modernization, nationalism and expansionism, political development, militarism and the
Pacific War, American occupation, postwar Japan and the economic miracle. Region: Africa/
Asia/Latin America.
HI 348. AFRICA IN MODERN TIMES, 1700 to PRESENT 3—0—3
Survey of the historical experiences that have shaped contemporary sub-Saharan Africa:
the slave trade, European partition and imperial rule, and independence and nationhood.
Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 350. FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON 3—0—3
A study of the collapse of the Ancient Regime and the causes of the French Revolution,
the stages of the Revolution, and Napoleon as a domestic reformer and exporter of the
Revolution. The course will emphasize the European context of the age of democratic
revolution, 1789-1815. No prerequisite. Region: Europe. Methodologically intensive.
HI 355. GRAND STRATEGY IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 3—0—3
Examines the coordination of military strategy, mobilization, diplomacy, and other national
or coalition instruments to achieve political goals in war during the twentieth century.
HI 356. TWENTIETH-CENTURY CHINA 3—0—3
A study of China’s twentieth-century revolutions since the overthrow of the last emperor
in 1911. Examines the tortured efforts of the Nationalists and Communists to recreate
the country and the culture, even while foreign “barbarians” were pounding on the gates.
Studies a century of civil war, social reform movements, and political purges, concluding
with Deng Xiaoping’s recent efforts to build a modern China where “to get rich is glorious.”
Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
HI 357. LATE IMPERIAL CHINA 3—0—3
Major events and trends in Chinese history during the last two great dynasties, the Ming
(1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911), including historians’ evolving interpretations of the
periods. Topics include the role of the emperor, the world of the peasantry, the dynastic
cycle, The Opium War, the problem of imperialism, the great Taiping Rebellion, The Boxer
Uprising, and the 1911 Revolution. Prerequisite: HI 104. Region: Africa/Asia/Latin America.
Methodologically intensive.
HI 361. THE AGE OF BLOOD AND IRON. EUROPE, 1871-1918 3—0—3
Survey of Europe in the period. This course begins with a discussion of the 1870-1871
Franco-Prussian War. It then successively examines social and economic developments,
political developments in the separate European states, imperialism, the division of Europe
into two hostile alliance systems, the arms race, the fundamental and immediate causes of
the First World War, and the war itself. Region: Europe.
HI 365. FRANCE AND THE FRENCH EMPIRE 1815 TO THE PRESENT 3—0—3
Surveys the political and socioeconomic history of France and its overseas empire from
Waterloo to the present. Significant focus on developments in Africa and Indochina. No
prerequisite, but HI 350 is recommended. Region: Europe.
HI 368. A BROKEN WORLD: EUROPE, 1919-1945 3—0—3
Survey of Europe in the period. It begins with the peace settlement following the first World
War. Through a chronological approach by country, it treats political, diplomatic, and military
trends and events of the period, including the rise of fascism and totalitarianism, and the
roles played by individual leaders as Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, and Churchill. It then deals with
events leading to the Second World War, and the war itself. Region: Europe.
HI 372. READING COURSE FOR HONORS 3—0—3
Reading in depth in a selected field of history under the supervision of a faculty sponsor
as preparation for an honors research paper. Preparation of an annotated bibliography
and introduction to historical methodology. Prerequisite: Admission to the History Honors
Program. Methodologically intensive.
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