Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

Department of History

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/history

Audra Jennings, Department Chair
Cherry Hall 200
(270) 745-4665
history@wku.edu

Faculty

Professor

Marc V. Eagle PhD (History), Tulane University, 2005

Paul A. Fischer PhD (East Asian Languages and Civilizations), University of Chicago, 2007

Audra R. Jennings PhD (History), The Ohio State University Main Campus, 2008

Eric S. Reed PhD (History), Syracuse University Main Campus, 2001

Associate Professor

Dorothea Browder PhD (History, Distributed), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2008

Katherine E. Brown PhD (History), University of Virginia, 2015

Robert L. Dietle PhD (History), Yale University, 1991

Selena S. Doss PhD (History), Vanderbilt University, 2010

Marko Dumancic PhD (History), University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 2010

Eric Kondratieff PhD (Ancient History), University of Pennsylvania, 2003

Jeffrey D. Miner PhD (History), Stanford University, 2011

Alexander I. Olson PhD (American Studies), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 2013

Andrew J. Rosa PhD (Afro-American Studies), University of Massachusetts, 2005

Tamara Van Dyken PhD (History), University of Notre Dame, 2009

Pedagogical Professor

Jennifer A. Hanley PhD (History), University of Kentucky, 2009

Instructor I

Kathryn M. McClurkin PhD (Public History), Middle Tennessee State University, 2019

History Courses

HIST 501    European History for Secondary Teachers    3 Hours

Emphasis on bibliography, documents, historical interpretations and materials useful for secondary teachers of history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 502    US History for Secondary Teachers    3 Hours

Emphasis on bibliography, documents, historical interpretations, and materials for secondary teachers of history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

HIST 505    Cultural Diversity in American History    3 Hours

A topical study of cultural diversity in American history and its influence on the society's social, political, and economic institutions. Designed to assist teachers in incorporating into their classes knowledge about cultural diversity.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 506    Approaches to World History    3 Hours

Introduction to world history as a field of study and teaching. Covers a range of theoretical and practical approaches to the practice of history on a world or global scale.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023

HIST 507    The Crusades    3 Hours

The history and scholarship of the Crusades. It will cover major scholarly works on the Crusades and crusading as well as the expansion of Crusade studies into new geographic contexts (the Baltic, the Americas, et al.) and into time periods from the Late Middle Ages to the present.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 518    Reformation Europe    3 Hours

A study of the religious, political, and social history of Europe from the late Middle Ages to the end of the religious wars in 1648, focusing on Protestant and Catholic reform movements.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 520    History of Sexuality    3 Hours

Survey of how past societies and cultures have interpreted human sexual behavior and identities.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

HIST 521    United States 1900-1945    3 Hours

A study of American social, political, economic, and cultural developments in the period that included two world wars and the Great Depression.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 522    United States Since 1945    3 Hours

A study of all phases of United States history since 1945.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022

HIST 525    Social/Intellectual 19th Century US    3 Hours

A study of nineteenth century American thought and its relation to social, economic, and political institutions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 526    Social/Intellectual 20th Century US    3 Hours

A study of twentieth century American thought and its relation to social, economic, and political institutions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021

HIST 527    Social/Intellectual 19th Century Europe    3 Hours

An examination of political, social, economic, and religious thought of nineteenth century Europe and its relation to the society of the period.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 530    History of the US Civil Rights Movement    3 Hours

Survey of the struggle for civil rights and social justice in the United States.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 531    A Cultural History of Alcohol    3 Hours

An examination of the role that alcohol plays in historical development among various world cultures over time. Instructor may choose to focus on a specific region and/or time period.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 535    Historiography    3 Hours

A survey of historical writing from ancient times to the present, with emphasis on the modern historical profession.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023

HIST 536    Sources and Methods    3 Hours

Introduces a range of methods for scholarship in the field of history, including how to develop research questions, identify and access archives, and utilize primary sources. Examines methodological trends that have shaped the historical profession.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; spring 2023

HIST 540    Colonial North America    3 Hours

The background, founding, and development of North American colonies, emphasizing political, social, cultural, and economic institutions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 541    American Revolution and Early Republic    3 Hours

A study of the American Revolution and early republic period, including local, regional, and global contexts.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021

HIST 543    US Civil War and Reconstruction    3 Hours

A study of the origins of the US Civil War, including an analysis of the military, social, cultural, and diplomatic events, as well as the significant developments of Reconstruction.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 544    Gilded Age America    3 Hours

A study of American history and culture from the end of the Reconstruction to the early twentieth century, emphasizing social, political, cultural, and regional development.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 545    American Legal History to 1865    3 Hours

A survey of the development of American law and its relationship to political, economic, and social trends in antebellum American society.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 546    American Legal History Since 1865    3 Hours

A survey of the development of American law and its relationship to political, economic, and social trends in modern American society.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 547    History of American Popular Culture    3 Hours

Introduction to the role of popular culture in United States history and consciousness from the nineteenth century to the present.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021

HIST 551    History of American Protest    3 Hours

Survey of organized dissent in the United States from the early republic to the present.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

HIST 552    American Urban History    3 Hours

The rise of the city from colonial times to the present, focusing on the economic base of urban expansion, the social and cultural scene, the pattern of urban politics, urban services, municipal administration, and the image of the city in popular thought.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 554    Discovery and Interpretation of Local History    3 Hours

Materials, methodology, and techniques employed in local history research and its integration with other fields.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 556    Kentucky History    3 Hours

A study of the political, economic, social, and cultural development of Kentucky since colonization.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 557    The Old South    3 Hours

This course analyzes intellectual, cultural, political, economic, and racial ideologies of the American south, focusing on the period between 1800 and 1860.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 558    The New South    3 Hours

This course analyzes intellectual, cultural, political, economic, and racial ideologies of the American south from the civil war until the end of the twentieth century.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 559    Immigrants in American History    3 Hours

Survey of the history of immigration and immigrant communities in the United States.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 563    The Atlantic World    3 Hours

A study of the areas touched by the Atlantic Ocean, focusing on the intersections of African, Native American, and European cultures.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 569    Internship    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Practical experience in a supervised work situation with a cooperating library, museum, archives, or other appropriate historical organization.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023

HIST 574    History of Religion in America    3 Hours

Survey of the development of religion in America. Among topics: separation of church and state and American civil religion.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 581    The Rise and Fall of the Confederacy    3 Hours

An overview of the Confederate States of America. Topics covered will include nationalism, race, politics, religion, and leadership.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 590    Advanced Individual Study    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A research problem or intensive readings directed by a faculty member. Note: 3.0 average in at least 9 hours at the graduate level required.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

HIST 598    Comprehensive Exam Preparation    1 Hour

Comprehensive examination preparation directed by faculty committee.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

HIST 599    Thesis Research/Writing    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Thesis research and writing directed by faculty committee.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

HIST 600    Maintain Matriculation    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Continued enrollment for thesis completion.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2023

HIST 605    Seminar in Ancient History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar that focuses on historical developments and cultural achievements in the ancient world.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

HIST 606    Seminar in European History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar in diverse areas of European history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 608    Seminar in Public History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar explores major themes, methods, institutional contexts, and scholarly literature in public history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022

HIST 609    Seminar in Early Modern Europe, 1350-1750    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar examining political, social, and cultural developments of Early Modern Europe.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023

HIST 612    Seminar in Modern Europe, 1750-Present    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar examining political, social, and cultural developments in Modern Europe.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 613    Seminar in British History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar explores major themes, theoretical approaches, and scholarly literature in British history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 615    Seminar in World History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar on a selected theme or area of world history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021

HIST 616    Seminar in Middle Eastern History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in Middle Eastern history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

HIST 617    Seminar in Latin American History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in Latin American history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022

HIST 618    Seminar in Gender and Women's History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in the history of women and gender.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 620    Seminar in African American History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in African American history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 621    Seminar in Environmental History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in environmental history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 622    Seminar in Borderlands History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in the history of borderlands regions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023

HIST 623    Seminar in Russian History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in Russian and Soviet history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 624    Seminar in Labor History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in the history of work.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 625    Seminar in Native American History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in Native American history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023

HIST 626    Seminar in the History of Science and Medicine    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar introduces major themes, methods, and scholarly literature in the history of science and medicine.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 630    Seminar in US History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Rotating-topic seminar in diverse areas of United States history.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2021

HIST 641    Readings in American History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A broad survey of readings designed to acquaint students with current historiographical trends in American history. May cover various time periods and regions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022

HIST 642    Readings in African History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A broad survey of readings designed to acquaint students with current historiographical trends in African history. May cover various time periods and regions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 643    Readings in Asian History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A broad survey of readings designed to acquaint students with current historiographical trends in Asian history. May cover various regions and time periods.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HIST 644    Readings in European History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A broad survey of readings designed to acquaint students with current historiographical trends in European history. May cover various time periods and regions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

HIST 645    Readings in Public History    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

A broad survey of readings designed to acquaint students with current historiographical trends in public history. May cover various time periods and regions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

African-American Studies Courses

AFAM 480G    Independent Study in African American Studies    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Designed primarily for advanced students. This course will permit students to pursue selected topics dealing with the life and times of the people of African ancestry in Africa and America.

Prerequisite(s): AFAM 190 or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

AFAM 490G    African American Seminar    3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Designed primarily for advanced students. This seminar will include topics dealing with the African American, present or past.

Prerequisite(s): AFAM 190 or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None