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
Marko Dumancic PhD (History), University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 2010
Marc V. Eagle PhD (History), Tulane University, 2005
Anthony A. Harkins PhD (History), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1999
Audra R. Jennings PhD (History), The Ohio State University Main Campus, 2008
Eric S. Reed PhD (History), Syracuse University Main Campus, 2001
Associate Professor
Sophia R. Arjana PhD (Religious/Theological Studies), University of Denver, 2011
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
Eric Kondratieff PhD (Ancient History), University of Pennsylvania, 2003
Katherine J. Lennard PhD (American Culture Studies), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 2017
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
Visiting Assistant Professor
Timothy R. Quevillon PhD (History), University of Houston, 2020
Pedagogical Professor
Jennifer A. Hanley PhD (History), University of Kentucky, 2009
Instructor II
David A. Serafini MA (History), Western Kentucky University, 1997
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: fall 2024
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: spring 2024
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; fall 2024
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: spring 2023; spring 2024
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: None
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: fall 2024
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: None
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: summer 2024
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; spring 2024
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: fall 2024
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: spring 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
HIST 598 Comprehensive Exam Preparation 1 Hour
Comprehensive examination preparation directed by faculty committee.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
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 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
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; spring 2024; fall 2024
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: fall 2024
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: None
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: spring 2024
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: spring 2024
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: None
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: 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