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Spring 2009 HH104 - American Naval History - This course examines the antecedents, origins, and development of the United states navy and Marine Corps within the frameworks of America's growth as a continental and, eventually, global power, with particular emphasis on the development of Naval and maritime strategy. HH215 - The West in a Global Context - Origins through the Enlightenment - Analyzes the historical evolution of ethical thought and its impact upon European society and culture from Antiquity to the Enlightenment. The course sets the evolution of Western values in a larger, comparative context of world religions and values. By studying the cultural expressions of Western Ethical concerns, ideals and aspirations in light of other civilizations, this course broadens knowledge of the West's global context and cultivates the development of critical thinking about human beings and their societies. HH215 examines the critical moral and political choices made by societies and individuals through the ages in order to illuminate and deepen the student's understanding of the competing values, institutions and challenges of the modern West. HH215A - Asia in a Global Context - This course introduces students to pre-modern Asian civilizations, including China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia. HH215A traces dynamic manifestations of cultural, political, military, and intellectual patterns and examines them through a global perspective. Topics include Asian ways of war as embodies in the Chinese art of war, the Mongol campaigns, Japan's samurai, and Buddhist and Hindu warrior kings. Moreover, students will encounter ancient Asian sages and their ethical ruminations not only in their own regard but also in comparison with their counterparts in other world traditions such as Classical, Judeo-Christian, and Islamic civilizations. HH215M - The Middle East in a Global Context - This course is designed to provide an alternative to HH215 "The West in a Global Context." It introduces students to pre-modern Middle Eastern civilizations. This course traces the dynamic manifestations of cultural, political, military and intellectual patterns, and examines them through a global perspective. Topics include Middle Eastern ways of war. Moreover, students will encounter ancient Middle Eastern sages and their ethical ruminations not only in their own regard, but also in comparison with their counterparts in other world traditions including Classical, Asian, Judeo-Christian and Islamic cultures. HH215P - The West in a Global Context - Analyzes the historical evolution of ethical thought and its impact upon European politics and culture from the Classical Age to the Enlightenment. Given that a society's culture expresses the ethical concerns, ideals and aspirations of its members, this course approaches the development of Western civilization to 1776 through a study of its ideas and institutions. By studying the critical moral and practical choices made by societies and individuals through the ages, this course examines the ethical legacy of the past in order to illuminate and deepen the student's understanding of the values and institutions of contemporary Western society. HH216 - The West in the Modern World - Focusing chiefly on the period from the 18th century to the present, this course analyzes the most significant political, social, intellectual and economic trends that have shaped contemporary societies. HH216 examines the global impact of European and American cultures over the past three centuries and explores the most important reactions to modernity in both Western and non-Western societies. In doing so, the course situates the West in a global context and prepares students to think critically and comparatively about a changing world. HH262A - Family, Sex, and Marriage - The history of the family means the history of sex, death, marriage, divorce, women, men, parents, children, property, privacy, community, fighting, work, play, housing, food, clothing, religion, witchcraft, psychology, culture, society, police, and state. The family is at the crossroads of all of these subjects; it is the lens through which we examine society in detail. Thus this course will be as much about societies and communities as about families, but will examine dynamics rather than events. Students can pursue any aspect of the family and its surrounding community that they find interesting. The class will focus primarily on Western families but students can also look at non-Western familes in their research. HH262B - Alexander the Great - Alexander of Macedon may offer more opportunities to use more different historical methodologies than does any other individual from history. He was a tactical genius and strategic ninny; he wanted to blend and enforce respect among races and cultures and religions, yet he perpetuated massacres of civilian populations; he was tutored by and remained an admirer of philosophers, yet he also espoused strange and incompatible religious views. He was more explorer than conqueror at the end and was never at any moment an effective governor of anything. Psychological and anthropological methodology may come into play, along with traditional military operational history and geography for both the man and the era. HH262C - The Early Cold War: The Truman Presidency, 1945-53 - An introduction to the methodology of historical research and writing through the political, social, economic, cultural, and military historiography of the Early Cold War: The Truman Presidency, 1945-53. HH262D - Hiroshima and Nagasaki - This course examines issues related to the destruction of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in August 1945. The first six weeks of the course are primarily devoted to broadening (1) student knowledge about the use and effects of the atomic bombs and (2) student awareness of historians' debates concerning the bombings. Students will then focus their attention on a particular aspect of the bombings and prepare a research paper that uses primary-source materials and historiographic scholarship to support their interpretations. By preparing and refining their own scholarship, students will develop their own historically-grounded perspectives on the use of atomic weapons on Japan. HH312 - Imperial Rome - Study of the most successful of Western states with emphasis on models for bureaucratization, military defense and the incorporation of various ethnic groups. HH315 - The Age of Chivalry and Faith - Surveys the history and culture of Western Europe between about A.D. 1050 and about A.D. 1300, the period generally known as the High Middle Ages. The course traces the emergence of two self-defined medieval aristocracies: those who fight (the knighthood) and those who pray (the Christian clergy). Special attention is paid to developments in the socio-political systems of the age, kingship and lordship; to the culture of the medieval aristocracy, chivalry; to movements of religious enthusiasm; and to the evolution of the Catholic Church into a papal monarchy. HH322 - Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism - An examination of the Revolution of 1917 and the development of the Soviet Union, emphasizing the institutions and policies adopted to meet domestic and foreign problems. HH329 - Modern France - This course examines France from the revolutionary upheaval of the late 18th century through its role in the Western world since World War II. Roughly the first half of the course will deal with the revolutions of 1789 and 1792 and their impact upon 19th century France. The second half of the course will consider the experience of France in the 20th century and the changes forced upon the nation by two world wars fought on French soil. HH331 - Art and Ideas in Modern Europe - Explores the transformation of culture in the modern world. Examines how artists and intellectuals reacted to the long-range impacts of the democratic and industrial revolutions. Emphasis is placed on development of the fine arts in relation to pivotal ideas from 1750 to present. HH346 - Revolutionary America and the Early Republic - Covers the remarkable transformation in American society from 1760 to 1820 as thirteen separate and distinct colonies struggled ideologically, militarily, and politically to establish a governmental and social system that would suit the needs of a large, diverse, and rapidly expanding population. The background to the Revolution, the actual conduct of the war, and the construction of state and national governments are treated in detail. HH350 - The United States since World War II - A detailed examination of American history since 1945, including the onset of the Cold War in the 1950s, the domestic and foreign policy issues of the 1960s, Vietnam, Watergate and the Reagan era. HH352 - Film and American Society - This course explores the relations between motion pictures and the political/cultural life of a selected period. Films are studied as documents of an era and the extent to which they offer insights for historical understanding are considered. HH355 - Art and Ideas in American Society - This course examines the mainstreams of American thought and artistic expression, placing particular emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. With opportunities to explore classic American literature and images, students will be able to explore the links between paintings, novels, architecture, photographs and philosophical positions of given eras. The course routinely involves trips to area museums and galleries, and welcomes students from all backgrounds - assuming no prior experience in working with visual works. HH362 - History of the Middle East - A long-range historical approach to the Middle East's role in world affairs and the development of its cultural, political and military institutions. Emphasis is placed on strategic and diplomatic considerations. HH363 - Modern Latin America - The evolution of Latin American societies from independence to the present will be studied. Analyses of social and political issues like slavery, race, immigration, popular religion, militarism, dictatorship, and revolution will be the focus of the course. Particular emphasis will be placed on Argentina, Mexico, Brazil Peru, Chile, and Cuba. HH364 - History of Africa - Examines geography in Africa, changing cultural systems over time, and Africa's role in world politics. The course explores the last three centuries of sub-Saharan African history, including the rise and fall of the slave trade, the spread of Christianity and Islam, and European colonialism. The last fifty years are emphasized, including recent wars and conflicts, and struggles to overcome poverty and dependency. HH367 - The History and Culture of Iran - A survey of the history and culture of Iran from the Achamaenid Era to the Islamic Republic. Students examine this topic using primary and secondary sources. HH367A - Mercenaries, War, Empire: India-Pakistan-Afghanistan - This course will survey the nature of political, religious, economic and cultural change in present-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bangladesh (collectively known as 'South Asia'). We will track the larger social, political and economic changes as a result of the regionalisation of the Mughal state system and the emergence of British rule will be explored, along with the rise of Indian nationalism, the freedom struggle, Gandhi, and India and Pakistan since independence. Specifically, we will look at the interconnected realms of economics, social change, religion and politics. In all, it will account for some of the major changes in India/South Asia and their global effects over the past 300 years. HH367B - U.S. in Africa Since 1700 - Aims to illuminate the historical relationship between the United States and a region typically treated as a "backwater" of U.S. foreign policy until the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. Since then, concerns about weak states, porous borders, and the potential receptiveness of the poor and uneducated to the propaganda of terror has led to a burst of interest in Africa, its challenges, and the potential effect on U.S. interests. Therefore, this course examines how the U.S. Government has defined and pursued its interests in Sub-Saharan Africa from America's colonial era to the present. Beginning with the slave trade that brought so many Africans to the New World and nearly imploded the Union within its first seventy-five years, and ending with democratization, genocide, and the War on Terror in Post-Cold War Africa, the course considers the broader geopolitical context while focusing on U.S. policy directly toward African nations. In summary, the course examines primarily the history of Americans in and toward Africa and, to a lesser extent, the history of Africans in America. HH367C - The Vietnam War: An Indigenous History - Explores the social, cultural, and political upheavals of the three Indochina Wars (1946-1991) from a largely Southeast Asian perspective. It analyzes the development of the Vietnamese communist movement, its leaders, followers, opponents, and victims. Using local sources in translation, students learn about Asian cultures as they critique the important conflicts and alliances that affected the region in the post-colonial era. HH377A - The Golden Age of Piracy, Myth and Reality - "The Golden Age of Piracy" is a course devoted to exploring the figure of the pirate in American and European history from the sixteenth century through today. Who were the pirates of the early-modern seas? What did they do and why did they do it? And what did the rest of the world think of their activities? Were they anything like the image they maintain in modern popular culture? This course, though reading relevant primary and secondary sources, will endeavor to answer these questions. As a group, we will start to sort out the differences between the "mythical pirate" familiar to today's public and the "historical" pirate of the early-modern era. We will also analyze how and why this "real" pirate has become distorted over time, assuming a different image in the modern era. As part of this intellectual journey, we will augment our knowledge of historiography and social scientific theory, learn about early-modern primary source materials, discuss the benefits and limitations of particular types of primary sources, probe the intellectual and cultural history of the modern West, and refine our analytical skills. HH377B - Origins of the Global Energy Crisis - This course will explore the historical origins of our systems of energy production, distribution, and consumption. The development of energy systems from the Middle Ages to contemporary times will be examined. Coal, petroleum, bio-fuels, and nuclear energy systems will be studied. In addition, the class will investigate the interaction of energy systems with the evolution of military technology, and will examine selective examples where military force was used to secure control of increasingly scarce fossil fuel resources. The potential environmental consequences of fossil fuel usage (i.e., climate change) will also be examined. HH377C - History of Engineering - This course focuses on the evolution of engineering within Western society. The majority of this course will deal with the history of engineering in America. Topics will include the effects of national culture on engineering practice, the rise of science-influenced modern engineering, the creation of the engineering profession, external factors that have shaped engineering and engineers, the changing nature of engineering education, engineering specialization and the practice of engineering, and the evolution of engineering culture. No engineering expertise (or graph paper) is required. HH377D - Religion and Violence - This course examines how religion institutionalizes violence, and how institutionalized violence is integral to the origins and continuity of the state and society. Through the analysis of selected ideas, texts, and historical artifacts, students are expected to challenge their understanding of the relationship of religion and violence to the state and society. Examples are drawn from Islam, Bible and ancient near East, Judaism, Christianity, Aztec religion, Ainu bear rituals, archaic Greece, Dacian folklore, and Buddhism. Particular attention is given to suicide bombing, apocalyptism, Cain and Abel, Abraham, hunting and funerary rituals, scapegoating, asceticism and martyrdom, giving away pieces of one's body, and the relationship of combat myths and cosmologies. HH384 - Recent Military and Naval History - Surveys the dimensions of warfare and civil-military relations from the end of the World War II to the present. HH385 - The U.S. Marine Corps - The historical development of the U.S. Marine Corps is examined by tracing the evolution of its roles and missions, organization, capabilities, and institutional culture. Emphasis is placed on how the Marine Corps has perceived its role in American Society, and how it has been perceived by American society. HH386A - American Social and Cultural Military History - While most military history deals with strategy, tactics, logistics, weapons, leaders, and campaigns, this course examines the historic function of the American military as a social and cultural institution that is shaped by (and in turn) shapes society. A variety of topics will be considered including race, gender, sex, class, religion, value inculcation, combat motivation, professionalism, recruitment, conscription, training, socialization, morale, propaganda, GI protests, prisoners of war, the home front, and veterans' issues. HH386B - The History of Airpower - This course examines the military exploitation of the third dimension, and its consequent effects on warfare development in the twentieth century. While readings focus predominantly on U.S. air power history, the course also exposes students to the efforts of other western and nonwestern nation states to acquire the ability to fight in the skies. HH386C - The History of Modern Counterinsurgency - This course examines the origins, theory, doctrine and practice of modern counterinsurgency warfare. After defining several common characteristics of insurgency warfare throughout history, the course will provide midshipmen with an understanding of the complexities of establishing a counterinsurgency campaign within the framework of historical forces such as social movements, politics, civil-military relations and technology. While comparing and contrasting the insurgencies of British Malaya, French Algeria, French Indochina, Vietnam and 21st century Iraq/ Afghanistan, the course will illustrate the effectiveness of government and foreign power responses to these insurgencies. The course will also explore factors that have influenced U. S. conceptions of counterinsurgency warfare from 1776 to the present day. Although every insurgency can be considered contextual, thus presenting its own set of challenges, this course will stimulate the student to think critically about understanding and addressing specific insurgencies within the framework of evolving doctrinal guidelines. Finally, the concept of a globalized insurgency will be introduced to prepare students for the challenges of dealing with non-state entities which seek to reorder the Islamic world and its relations with the rest of the globe. HH462A - The South in The Civil War - This seminar focuses on a topic that continues to elicit strong controversy among scholars: the Confederate States of America. For four years, this country fought to preserve an antebellum status quo, but in the process, that nation was fundamentally transformed. The leaders, military and civilian, the policies, the course of the war on on the home front, the military situation and why and how the South lost will be the specific topics we address over the course of the semester. HH462B - The Other Eastern Front - The purpose of the course is to introduce midshipmen to a number of the most critical features of the most titantic military historical event in human history, the Soviet-German War of 1941-1945. Briefly reviewed will be the basic methodology of historical research and writing, especially through the historiography of the period, or the interpretive approaches of scholars to the historical questions and problems of the conflict in its many dimensions. Midshipmen will compose a series of reader-response essays designed to foster skills necessary to digest and coherently analyze written material in a short period of time. The course also aims to sharpen their ability to think analytically and write clearly. HH462C - History of America in the Middle East - The course focuses on the causes, course, and consequences of US involvement in this important but volatile region of the world by exploring: 1) how and why America first encountered the Middle East; 2) what drew the US more deeply into the region, especially after World War II; 3) how America figures in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian dispute; and 4) the United States' relationship to contemporary Islamic extremism. The course aims both to increase students' knowledge and understanding of America in the Middle East, and to strengthen their ability to think, speak, and write critically and clearly about historical issues and their contemporary relevance. All of these things will vitally affect midshipmen's naval service. HH484 - World Cinema of the Sound Era: An Introduction - The course will view selected motion pictures from a variety of national cinemas from the time that sound became common in film production (roughly 1930). HH486A - Seminar on Winston Churchill HH486B - History of Christianity HH486C - France and Her Colonies HH486D - Maritime Exploration of the Americas HH486E - History of US Scouting Movement HH486F - Civil-Military Relations Communist China 1949-89 HH486G - American Foreign Policy in Africa HH486H - Roman Counterinsurgency HH486I - History of Korea HH486J - Early American Warfare HH486K - Alaskan Fishing Industry HH508 - Honors Colloquium - Students will propose, conceptualize, and refine their 1/C independent research projects. In the process, they will test different historical interpretations, and evaluate different philosophies of history. They will submit a series of short essays culminating in a precis specifying both the topic of their Honors research projects and the arguments these projects will advance.
HH512 - Honors
Thesis Readings - After selecting a research
topic and advisor, history honors students will
engage in intensive reading of primary and secondary
works related to the topic. |
