History Course List

100-Level Courses

HY201 - HY248

HY251 - HY292

HY301 - HY342

HY351 - HY392

HY401 - HY447

HY451 - HY499

From antiquity to the rise of Early Modern Europe circa 1650.

HY 102 - Western Civilization II - 3

Early Modern Europe to present.

HY 104 - World History to 1600 - 3

A survey of world societies, cultures, and major civilizations from pre-historic beginnings to the early modern era. HY 104 may replace HY 101, but both may not be taken for credit.

HY 105 - World History 1600 to Present - 3

A survey of world societies from the early modern era to the present. HY 105 may replace HY 102, but both may not be taken for credit.

HY 120 - The United States To 1877 - 3

Social, political, economic, and cultural forces affecting migration of Europeans and Africans to New World, creation of American Republic, and Civil War and Reconstruction.

HY 121 - The United States Since 1877 - 3

Social, political, and economic forces affecting development of the United States as industrial power. Growth of U.S. during 20th century, increasing role in world affairs, and domestic consequences of superpower status.

HY 201 - Economic History of the US - 3

Economic developments of U.S. from colonial times to present, focusing on business organization, technology and innovation.

HY 203 - History of American Technology - 3

History of civilization of new technology in the United States emphasizing role of inventors and engineers.

HY 207 - The American Film - 3

Creation and development of motion pictures in the United States, including how films are made, American film industry, and impact of Hollywood on American culture.

HY 210 - History of American Medicine - 3

Survey of patterns and trends in American medicine.

HY 223 - African-American History To 1865 - 3

Ancient African civilizations and their demise, the slave trade and slavery in New World to the Civil War.

HY 224 - African-American History From 1865 - 3

Survey of late 19th century to present African American history.

HY 225 - History of Alabama - 3

Social, economic, and political survey of state from prehistory to present.

HY 226 - History and Dev of Birmingham - 3

Social, economic, and political survey of the Birmingham area.

HY 227 - Technology and Society - 3

Relationship of machines and people in modern industrial society. Topics from recent American history and from contemporary problems.

HY 235 - War in the Modern World - 3

American military history from colonial times to present, including impact of Western ideas and technology on national defense policy.

HY 245 - Intro to Latin American History - 3

Major social, political, economic, and cultural developments in Latin America from pre-Colombian times to present.

HY 247 - Colonial Latin America - 3

Major pre-Colombian civilizations, focusing on impact of European contact and emergence of new hybrid societies by eighteenth

century in Brazil and Hispanic America.

HY 248 - Modern Latin America - 3

Social, political, and economic trends marking history of region since early 19th century, aiding understanding of conditions in Latin America today.

HY 251 - Nineteenth-Century Europe - 3

National consolidation, imperialist adventure, and European society and politics from 1815 to 1914.

HY 252 - Twentieth Century Europe - 3

Europe as transformed by total war, economic dislocation, rise of totalitarian movements, and post-1945 integration from 1914 to present.

HY 257 - Celtic Fringe: Ireland, Scotland, and Wales - 3

History of "other" British nations: Irish, Scots, and Welsh. Internal development and relations with England.

HY 258 - Britain and the Third World - 3

British foreign policy, emphasizing Empire and British relations with peoples outside Europe.

HY 260 - History of France: 1500-1789 - 3

Social history of 16th to18th century France, including growth of monarchy, wars of religion, peasant uprisings, popular culture, Catholic resurgence, Louis XIV, and achievements in arts and literature.

HY 261 - Modern France 1789 onwards - 3

French history from Revolution of 1789 to present with emphasis on political, social, and economic aspects.

HY 262 - Early Modern Spanish History - 3

Survey of the history of Spain from the 15th to the 18th centuries with emphases on the social and cultural effects of European expansion, race and religion, the Inquisitions, and Spain's contribution to European art and literature.

HY 263 - History of the Russian Empire - 3

Russian history from prehistory to 1917, focusing on development of Russian state and its social and political character.

HY 264 - Russian Revolution: 1917-1921 - 3

Russian Revolution with emphasis on political, social, and national conflicts in cities, in countryside, and in non-Russian areas.

HY 265 - History of Soviet Union 1917-1991 - 3

Bolshevik Revolution and role of Soviet Union as world power.

HY 270 - Topics in History - 3

HY 271 - Traditional East Asian History/Culture - 3

An introduction to the histories and cultures of East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia) from ancient times to the present.

HY 283 - Old World Archaeology - 3

Prehistory of Africa, Asia, and Europe from Paleolithic to Early Bronze Age. Hunter-gatherer adaptations, emergence of village-based agriculture, and appearance of cities.

HY 284 - Archaeology: Origins of Civilization - 3

Development of complex society in the Fertile Crescent, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Mediterranean, from origins of agriculture to Alexander the Great.

HY 290 - Topics in History - 3

Special studies of historical topics. May be repeated.

HY 291 - Topics in History - 3

Special Topics in History. May be repeated for credit.

HY 292 - Topics in History - 3

Special studies of historical topics. May be repeated.

HY 300 - The Historian's Craft - 3

Values, methodology, and materials of historical analysis, with emphasis on changing interpretations of history and writing of research paper.

HY 303 - Women in American History - 3

Changing economic, political, and social roles of women from colonial period to present.

HY 304 - US Civil Rights Movement - 3

History of civil rights from late 19th century to present; significance of movement to those involved and to rest of American society.

HY 305 - Popular Culture in American History - 3

Mass culture of U.S. through films and recorded sound, from creation of entertainment industry in 19th century to television and counterculture of 1960s.

HY 306 - Social History of the Automobile - 3

Impact of automobile on American life and creation of car culture. Effect on environment and urban life.

HY 307 - The American Film - 3

Creation and development of motion pictures in the United States, including how films are made, American film industry, and the impact of Hollywood on American culture.

HY 308 - History of US Popular Music - 3

Creation of musical entertainment, the changing audience, and diffusion of recordings from earliest recordings of music hall songs to rap and hip hop.

HY 309 - American Film: 1980s and 1990s - 3

Focuses on the rise of the independent film in the 1980s and the struggle with mainstream Hollywood studios for dominance of cinema in the 1990s. Covers independent film makers, finance, scripts and what it takes to make a personal film.

HY 310 - African-American Film - 3

A history of the ways that African Americans have been depicted in films and TV and how this has impacted American society. Starts in the silent film era and ends with the boyz in the hood. Focuses on black film makers and their efforts to be heard.

HY 311 - History of the Documentary - 3

Studies the development of the film documentary and the issues of representing reality on film. Deals with film aesthetic and the techniques of making films. Looks at American and European documentaries.

HY 312 - Rock n Roll and Race Relations - 3

Looks at popular music as a part of American Culture. Concentrates on the rise of R and B and rock n roll as the signifiers of a new youth culture in the United States with special emphasis on music in Birmingham.

HY 320 - Political History: Roosevelt-Roosevelt - 3

History of the period between 1900 and 1945, with emphasis on national politics.

HY 322 - The Great Depression - 3

Examines the causes and effects of the Great Depression using both fictional and documentary films and required readings; students will analyze how Hollywood interpreted the lives of Americans during that period

HY 325 - South Politics in 20th century - 3

The social and economic bases of Southern politics.

HY 327 - Southern Labor History - 3

Unique conditions and people who formed Southern labor history. Changing contours of slave, industrial, and post-industrial labor force.

HY 329 - US Women's Labor History - 3

Role and influence of working women on American history as social and political force in creating work identity and culture.

HY 341 - US-Latin American Relations - 3

Diplomatic relations between U.S. and Latin America since early nineteenth century. Roots of contemporary conflicts involving issues such as revolution and drug trafficking.

HY 342 - History of Women Latin America - 3

Condition of Latin American women in historical perspective with reference to factors such as race, class, religion, and ethnicity; Hispanic cultural attitudes that have shaped that condition over time.

HY 351 - Continental Enlightenment - 3

Ideas and politics during 18th century, focusing on Western Europe outside France; new ideas about society, religion, and

government in Italian and German states.

HY 353 - The Christians in History - 3

Origins, development, and spread of Christianity from antiquity to the modern world. Prerequisites: HY 101 and HY 102

HY 355 - The Reformation - 3

Issues and meanings of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations of the 16th and 17th centuries, with particular attention to

intellectual, social, and political dimensions. Prerequisite: HY 101

HY 357 - Religion Early Modern European History - 3

The role of religion in shaping early modern attitudes toward politics, science, literature, and art.

HY 360 - Celtic Fringe: Ire/Scot/Wales – 3 same as HY257

History of other Britain nations: Irish, Scots, and Welsh. Internal development and relations with England.

HY 361 - Britain and the Third World – 3 same as HY258

British foreign policy, emphasizing Empire and British relations with peoples outside Europe.

HY 370 - End of USSR - 3

An analysis of Gorbachev's impact on the Soviet Union and the social and political forces he unleashed.

HY 371 - Soviet Rev 1989-91 - 3

Describes and analyzes the impact on the U.S.S.R. of the 1989 revolutions in Eastern Europe.

HY 375 - The Pacific War, 1931-1945 - 3

The military and political conflict between Japan, China, and the United States from the Manchurian Incident to the atomic

bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

HY 390 - Topics in History - 3

Special studies of historical topics. May be repeated.

HY 391 - Topics in History - 3

Special studies of historical topics. May be repeated.

HY 392 - Topics in History - 3

Special studies of historical topics. May be repeated.

HY 401 - Honors Thesis - 3

Independent research project for honors students in history, directed by faculty advisor. Course taken twice to produce thesis for Honors in History.

HY 403 - Colonial American History to 1765 - 3

Examines colonial North America, especially Britain's colonies, their social and cultural development, and the emergence of distinctive British American and African American identities. Prerequisite: HY 120

HY 404 - American Rev 1760-1783 - 3

Intellectual and social origins and aspects of the revolutionary era. Prerequisite: HY 120

HY 405 - War and Society Early America - 3

Examination of the history of warfare in colonial North America and the impact of war on colonial and native societies. Topics will include the "military revolution" and colonial America, war and culture, and wars for empire. Prerequisites: HY 120

HY 407 - Early American Frontiers 1492-1815 - 3

Examines encounters between native peoples and colonists, with emphasis on regions that became part of British Colonial America.

HY 408 - The New Nation, 1783-1815 - 3

Intellectual, political, and social origins and aspects of post-revolutionary era. Prerequisite: HY 120

HY 409 - US Constitutional History to 1877 - 3

Landmark cases in interpretation of Constitution against background of American history. Prerequisite: HY 120

HY 410 - US Constitutional History from 1877 - 3

Landmark cases in interpretation of Constitution against background of American history. Prerequisite: HY 121

HY 411 - The Antebellum South - 3

South from post-revolutionary era through 1860, emphasizing social and cultural developments and myths. Prerequisite: HY 120

HY 412 - The American Civil War - 3

Origins of secession and political, social, military, and diplomatic developments during war. Prerequisite: HY 120

HY 413 - Reconstruction in America - 3

Myths and realities of Reconstruction from 1865 to 1877. Prerequisite: HY 120

HY 414 - The New South, 1877 to 1945 - 3

Political, economic, and urban development of South from Reconstruction to end of World War II. Prerequisite: HY 121

HY 415 - Modern South, 1945 to Present - 3

Social, political, and cultural developments of post-World War II South, including urbanization, civil rights, political party transformations, ethnic diversification, and federal public policy. Prerequisite: HY 121

HY 417 - Modern American 1877-1920 - 3

Changing forms of industrialism and social problems created; Populism, Progressivism, and other reform movements of era.

HY 418 - America in the 1920s and 1930s - 3

American popular culture, political development, and economic change in period between two World Wars. Prerequisite: HY 121

HY 419 - The Second World War - 3

Diplomatic and military history, with emphasis on world-historical changes brought about by World War II.

HY 420 - Recent America: 1945-Present - 3

Economic, social, and political trends; history of Cold War.

HY 421 - America in Vietnam - 3

History of "America s longest war."

HY 423 - Southern Women: Image/Reality - 3

Southern women's lives from colonial period into 20th century. Contrasts myths, particularly myth of belle on pedestal, with realities of women's lives. Prerequisites: HY 120

HY 425 - American Myths and Values - 3

Major myths that inform and are informed by American values; how these have molded American character. How myths and values have determined the way dominant American culture has viewed various social groups.

HY 426 - Archaeology of the American Industrial Revolution - 3

Techniques for interpreting and documenting archaeological and other material remains of American industrial revolution, with emphasis on blast furnaces, mines, and other sites in mineral region of Central Alabama. Comparative historical development of industrial revolutions within capitalist world economy.

HY 427 - History of American Technology - 3

Development and impact of new technology in U.S. from colonial period to present.

HY 428 - Technology and American Life - 3

Impact of technology on modern American life and culture; automobile, television, and computer.

HY 429 - Workers in American Society - 3

Seventeenth century artisans to contemporary factory and office workers, organized and unorganized; effect of industrial and technological revolution on American labor, society, and politics. Prerequisite: HY 120

HY 431 - American Film and Violent Society - 3

History of violent movies in the United States from earliest silent films to new gangster films of Quentin Tarantino. Meaning of these films and what they say about American society.

HY 433 - Americans and the World - 3

Major developments in American foreign relations from colonial times to present. Prerequisites: HY 120 and HY 121

HY 434 - As Others See Us: US History - 3

Joint American Studies/International Studies surveying international perceptions of U.S. culture.

HY 435 - American Urban History - 3

Major patterns of urbanization and urban life in American history.

HY 438 - Changing American Landscape - 3

History of way America looks and how it has changed from rural to urban, from farming to industrial landscape. Extensive field trips in Birmingham area. Prerequisites: HY 120 or HY 121

HY 446 - Andean Nations - 3

History of major drug-producing nations of Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, and their relationship to rest of world. Prerequisites: HY

245 or HY 247 or HY 248 or HY 341 or HY 342

HY 447 - Modern Mexico - 3

History of Mexico since independence from Spain in 1821. Growth and impact of nationalism, Mexico's relations with U.S., and impact of Mexican Revolution of 1910. Prerequisites: HY 245 or HY 247 or HY 248 or HY 341 or HY 342

HY 451 - History of Greece - 3

Ancient Greece from prehistory to Alexander and Hellenistic Age.

HY 452 - History of Rome - 3

Ancient Rome from time of Etruscans through Republic and Empire until decline in the 4th century A.D.

HY 454 - Heresy and Witchcraft - 3

Religious dissent, deviance, and persecution from late antiquity to 17th century. Prerequisite: HY 101

HY 455 - The Middle Ages - 3

Fall of Roman Empire and impact of Germanic invasions; feudal society, birth of European monarchies, religiosity and Church, Scholasticism and Gothic, and rebirth of commerce and urban life. Prerequisite: HY 101

HY 456 - The Renaissance - 3

From background of medieval society to birth of commercial, urban society; individualism; development of centralized territorial state; popular piety; humanism and art. Prerequisite: HY 101

HY 457 - Nineteenth-Century Europe - 3

National consolidation, imperialist adventure, and European society and politics, 1815-1914.

HY 458 - Modern Europe - 3

Europe as transformed by total war, economic dislocation, and rise of totalitarian movements; 1914 to present.

HY 459 - European Cult/Intellectual History - 3

European thought and culture from the early modern period to the present.

HY 463 - Victorian Britain - 3

Social and political history of 19th century Britain.

HY 464 - Modern Great Britain - 3

Problems facing Britain in the 20th century, including end of empire, economic decline, and political restructuring.

HY 465 - French Enlightenment - 3

French Enlightenment as intellectual and social phenomenon.

HY 467 - Modern France 1815 - Present - 3

Economic, social and political history of France. How French working men and women sought to obtain a democratic republic.

HY 468 - Germany Under Three Reichs - 3

Central Europe from Wars of Religion through national unification to Weimar, Third Reich, and its aftermath.

HY 469 - Stalin and Stalinism - 3

Rise of Josef Stalin and political and social order he created. Stalin supporters, opponents, and silent majority. Prerequisites: HY

102 or HY 105 or HY 121

HY 470 - The Soviet Union Since 1953 - 3

Soviet economic, political, and social trends since Stalin’s death in 1953. Prerequisites: HY 102 or HY 105 or HY 121.

HY 475 - Modern China - 3

China's political, social and cultural history from the final decades of the Qing dynasty in the 19th century to its re-emergence as a major world power in the late 20th century.

HY 476 - Japan to the 19th Century - 3

Japan's political and cultural history from its legendary beginnings to the final decades of the Tokugawa shogunate.

HY 477 - Modern Japan - 3

Japan's political and cultural history from the Meiji Restoration to the present.

HY 481 - Public History - 3

Various approaches to interest and inform general public of local and state history. Visits to public history sites around Birmingham area.

HY 482 - Internship in Public History - 1 to 3

Individually designed program that allows students to work in local historic museums, archives, or other sites to gain professional experience in public history.

HY 483 - Environmental Study - 1 to 3

Individually designed program that places students in local environmental organizations, divisions of local businesses or government, or special projects to gain professional experience in preparation for an environmental career.

HY 490 - Undergraduate Seminar in History - 3

Topic varies depending on professor.

HY 491 - Directed Readings in History - 1 to 3

Individually designed course of reading in various fields.

HY 492 - Directed Readings in History - 3

Individually designed course of reading in various fields.

HY 493 - Honor Studies in History - 3

For advanced students in history who desire a seminar experience. Faculty and topics will vary.

HY 498 - Topics in History - 3

Special Studies in Historical Topics

HY 499 - Topics in History - 3

Special Studies in Historical Topics

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