2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

HISTORY111Civil War. Field trips to historic sites may be required.Prerequisite: sophomore/junior/senior status. Offered eachfall.319 Early Modern Europe 1300-1789 (3) WThe Renaissance as it began in the Italian city-states andspread to North Europe, the cultural and intellectualbackground of the religious Reformers, the impact of theReligious Revolution on the emerging European nationstates,and the intellectual triumph of the European“Enlightenment.” Prerequisite: sophomore/junior/seniorstatus. Offered spring of even-numbered years.322 Religion and Social Issues inAmerican History (3)Examines, from an interdisciplinary vantage point,crucial social issues in American history such as slavery andissues of racial equality, and the status of women. Thiscourse explores the religious influences, background andcontext of these social issues which have had a profoundeffect on American history and continue to reverberate inAmerican society today. Prerequisites: completed at least sixsemester hours in history, religious studies, political science,English, interdisciplinary studies, philosophy or sociology;sophomore/junior/senior status. Offered on demand.323 Tudor England (3) WA detailed introduction to the history of 15th- and 16thcenturyEngland that explores the political, social,economic, religious and intellectual trends responsible forthe “renaissance” of culture that characterized theElizabethan Age. Prerequisite: sophomore/junior/seniorstatus. Offered fall of even-numbered years.325 Radicalism,Terrorism, and Violencein American History (3)An examination of dissent, radical politics, terrorism,and political violence in American history. Radicalism in allforms in American history is studied from the colonial erato the present. We examine the impact and influence ofhistorically important forms of violence, political crime,and state repression on American politics, culture, society,and economy. Students examine the rise of different radicalpolitical ideologies and parties, mob violence, slaveuprisings, filibusters, lynching, vigilantism, strikes, policeand military repression, assassination, terrorism of the leftand right, apocalyptic sects, the role of violence inproducing or forestalling social change and reform, etc. Wealso discuss and dissect the different theoretical approachesdeveloped by historians to explain the meaning ofradicalism, terrorism, and violence in American history.Prerequisite: sophomore/junior/senior status. Offered fallof odd-numbered years.328 United States Foreign Relations,1763-1919 (3) (H)An examination of the major themes, events, ideas, andconsequences of American foreign policy from the Frenchand Indian Wars through Woodrow Wilson’s attempt tore-shape international relations in the aftermath of WorldWar I. Particular attention will be given to the strategic,ideological, economic, sectional, and racial dimensions ofU.S. relations with other nations and peoples, and to theconnections between foreign and domestic politics.Prerequisite: sophomore/junior/senior status. Offeredspring of odd-numbered years.338 Internships in History (3)Offers students the opportunity to work directly inmuseums, historic houses and archives in the region wherethey gain historical knowledge and insight into whathistorians do outside the classroom. In addition to 100hours of field work, students meet several times fordiscussion with other interns and write a short paperrelating to their experiences. Prerequisites: B (3.00 GPA)average, sophomore/junior/senior status. Offered eachspring.346 History of South Africa (3) (S)An exploration of the South African past from earliestsettlement by African and European peoples through theBritish Colonial and Afrikaner union periods, to theestablishment and dismantling of apartheid in the 20thcentury. Prerequisite: sophomore/junior/senior status.Offered fall of even-numbered years.347 History of Modern France (3) (H) WFocusing on France’s attempts to achieve “liberty,equality, and fraternity,” the history of France is exploredfrom the beginning of the 18th century until the present.The investigation covers the various political regimesbeginning with Absolutism under Louis XIV, through theseries republics, and the two Napoleonic empires. Loominglarge on the horizon of modern French history, of course,are the many revolutions, which have left indelible stampson the history of France and are a central focus. Thepolitical narrative is supplemented by a social analysis ofFrench society, including the history of the working classes,women, Jews, and immigrants. Given the vibrant culturalhistory of modern France, an examination is made of thecultural milestones in French history as well as popularculture and national political symbolism. Prerequisite:sophomore/junior/senior status. Offered on demand.348 History of Modern Germany (3) WIn 1871, Germany united and became a modern nationstate.Since unification, however, the geo-politicaldefinition of Germany has never been fixed. In 1918, 1933,1940, 1945, and 1990, Germany went through momentouschanges that highlighted the instability of the Germannation. Focusing on key historical developments, studentsexplore the meaning of modern Germany since 1871.While the political outline of German history is examined,the focus extends beyond the political realm, investigatingboth the social and cultural histories of Germany as a meansto probe more deeply into German identity. This social andcultural emphasis raises key questions about Germanidentity: Why have ethnic groups clashed over the