History (HIST)

Jeannie M. Whayne

Department Chair

416 Old Main

479-575-3001

E-mail: jwhayne@uark.edu

 

David Sloan

Graduate Coordinator

416 Old Main

479-575-3001

E-mail: dsloan@uark.edu

Web: http://www.uark.edu/depts/histinfo/history/

• Distinguished Professors West, Woods

• Professors Bukey, Chappell, Cornell, Engels, Kennedy, Sutherland,
Tsai, Whayne

• Associate Professors Coon, Finlay, Gordon,
Robinson, Sloan (D.), Sonn, Tucker

• Assistant Professors Brogi, Schweiger, Sloan (K.), Starks, Williams

Degrees Conferred:

M.A., Ph.D. (HIST)

Prerequisites to Degree Program: Graduate work in history at the master’s level presupposes an undergraduate major in that subject of approximately 30 semester hours. In addition, students must have achieved a verbal score of 550 and a writing assessment score of 4.5 on the Graduate Record Examinations. Students who present a minimum of 30 hours may be admitted without deficiency. Students who present between 18 and 30 hours of history may be admitted with or without deficiency, subject to the determination of the department’s Graduate Studies Committee. Students who present less than 18 hours of history may not be admitted without deficiency. The nature of the deficiency requirements will be determined by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree: Students seeking the Master of Arts degree must offer at least 30 hours of history at the 4000-level or above and HIST 5023 Historical Methods. Included in the 30 hours must be nine in American history and nine in European (or non-Western) history. Students who write a thesis must complete six hours of HIST 600V Master’s Thesis and a minimum of nine hours of seminar (reading or research) or historiography. Students who do not write a thesis must complete three hours of research seminar and an additional nine hours of seminar (reading or research) or historiography. Students not electing to write a thesis must also pass a written examination in three regional-national fields.

 

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree: Applicants are generally required to have a master’s degree in history (or the equivalent) with a 3.20 grade-point average in graduate history courses and a verbal score of 550 and a writing assessment score of 4.5 on the Graduate Record Examinations. Applicants without a master’s degree in history (or its equivalent) but with exceptionally strong qualifications, may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program at the discretion of the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of History.

 

During the first semester of study, all students will be assigned an advisory committee that will determine their particular programs. Students will select four fields of historical specialization. Students will also be required to meet the departmental language procedure in establishing competency in two foreign languages. At the discretion of the advisory committee, competency in statistics or quantitative analysis may be substituted for one of the languages.

 

After completing the course of study prescribed by their advisory committees and satisfying the language requirements, students may apply to take the candidacy examinations. These consist of written exams in each of the four specialized fields. When these examinations have been passed, students may apply for admission to candidacy.

 

All students must demonstrate a capacity for independent research by the writing of an original dissertation on a topic within their major area of study. Upon admission to candidacy, students will be assigned a dissertation committee with a major professor as chair to direct the research and writing. Under direction of the major professor, candidates will develop programs of reading in the general areas and research techniques pertinent to researching and writing their dissertations.

 

The student’s final examination will be oral and will be primarily a defense of the dissertation.

 

Although the Doctor of Philosophy degree is primarily a research degree, most successful candidates engage in teaching as a major feature of their careers. Therefore, the department will make every effort to provide a candidate with teaching opportunities in the department before completion of the program.

(HIST) HISTORY

HIST4003 Greece and the Ancient Near East (Odd years, Fa)  An introduction to the origins of civilization in the ancient Near East and Greece. Emphasis placed upon the development of agriculture and cities, Hebrew religious ethics, and Greek culture, political institutions, and thought.

HIST4013 Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World  (Even years, Sp)  A survey of the achievements of Alexander and the culture of the new world he created. The personality and career of Alexander are examined as well as the rich diversity of the Hellenistic world: trade with India, religious syncretism, and the development of Hellenistic science and philosophy.

HIST4023 The Roman Republic and Empire  (Even years, Fa)  An introduction to Rome’s cultural development from its origins as a small city state in the 8th century B.C. to its rule over a vast empire extending from Scotland to Iraq. Emphasis is placed upon the causes of Roman expansion during the Republic, the urbanization and Romanization of Western Europe, and the persecution and spread of Christianity.

HIST4043 Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages  (Irregular)  This course examines the political, spiritual, intellectual, and social-economic developments of European history, c. 300-1000 CE. Special topics include the Christianization of the late Roman Empire and Byzantium, as well as the formation of Celtic and Germanic Kingdoms in the West.

HIST4053 Late Middle Ages  (Irregular)  This course examines the political, social-economic, intellectual, and spiritual developments of European history, c. 1000-1400 CE. Special topics include monasticism, sacral kingship, the crusades, and the medieval university.

HIST4073 Renaissance and Reformation, 1300-1600  (Even years, Fa)  Examines the history of Europe from the end of the Middle Ages through the Renaissance to the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. Special attention is paid to changes in popular piety, political thought, religious representation, and the discovery of the New World.

HIST4083 Early Modern Europe, 1600-1800 (Odd years, Sp)  Begins with the upheaval of the reformation, moves through the crisis of the 17th century and culminates with the democratic revolution of the 18th century. Examines the consolidation of the European state system, the propagation of modern science, discovery of overseas worlds, and the advent of the Industrial Revolution.

HIST4103 Europe in the 19th Century  (Irregular)  European history from the Congress of Vienna to the outbreak of World War I, with emphasis on political and diplomatic history.

HIST4113 Twentieth Century Europe, 1898-1939  (Even years, Fa)  Background and impact of World War I to the outbreak of World War II.

HIST4133 Society and Gender in Modern Europe (Odd years, Sp)  Changing values and attitudes toward childhood, family life, sexuality, and gender roles in Europe from the Renaissance to the present. The social impact of the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, demographic change, and the two world wars.

HIST4143 Intellectual History of Europe Since the Enlightenment  (Even years, Fa)  A survey of the major developments in European thought and culture since the emergence of Romanticism. Topics include Romanticism, Darwinism, Marxism, and Modernism.

HIST4163 Tudor-Stuart England  (Even years, Fa)  Examines the history of England from the Henrician Reformation of the early 16th century through the Glorious Revolution of 1688 to the early 18th century. The Elizabethan Renaissance, the rise of Puritanism, the Revolution of the 1640s and the creation of an overseas empire are given special consideration.

HIST4173 The Latin American City  (Irregular)  This course examines the social, political, and cultural aspects of the modern Latin American city from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course includes an introduction to urban studies concepts, and each semester is organized around a specific set of case studies.

HIST4183 Great Britain, 1780-1914: Industry and Empire  (Even years, Sp)  An inquiry into effects of industrialization, class consciousness and imperialism on British politics, culture and society during the Victorian Era.

HIST4193 Great Britain, 1901-1982: Empire to Welfare State  (Even years, Sp)  Consideration of Imperial Britain from the Angle-Boer conflict to the Falkland Islands War, with emphasis on the effects of the Great Depression and the emergence of the modern welfare state.

HIST4213 The Era of the French Revolution (Odd years, Fa)  France from the salons of the Enlightenment to the Napoleonic Wars. The French Revolution will be explored in terms of politics and personalities, ideas and symbols, class and gender relations, and violence and terror.

HIST4223 France Since 1815  (Even years, Sp)  Survey of French history from the overthrow of Napoleon to the 5th Republic, with emphasis on French politics, society, and culture.

HIST4243 Germany, 1789-1918  (Even years, Fa)  Survey of Germany from Age of Absolutism to collapse of the Hohenzollern monarchy with emphasis upon political, social, and economic developments.

HIST4253 History of Germany, 1918-1949 (Fa)  Survey of Germany from advent of the Weimar Republic to 1949 with emphasis upon the failure of democratic government in the 1920s, the National Socialist dictatorship, and the division of Germany into two separate states.

HIST4283 Russia to 1861 (Fa)  Study of the political, social and cultural development of Russia through the Napoleonic invasion.

HIST4293 Russia Since 1861  Survey of political, cultural and intellectual trends in modern Russia with emphasis upon the Revolutions of 1917, the Soviet Union, and its successor states.

HIST4313 Islamic Theology and Philosophy, 650-1700   (IR)  Doctrines and main figures in Islamic theology and philosophy from the origins of Islam through the seventeenth century C.E

HIST4353 Middle East, 600-1250  (Even years, Fa)  An examination of the origins of modern Middle Eastern societies-Arabic, Turkish, and Persian-with emphasis upon the development of the Islamic faith and culture.

HIST4373 Mongol & Mamluk Middle East 1250-1520  (Even years, Sp)  An examination of Egypt, the Fertile Crescent, and Iran in the period of the Turco-Mongol military elites. Special attention given to the rise of slave and free governments and their roles in shaping Middle East political and social patterns.

HIST4383 The History of Sub-Saharan Africa  (Irregular)  A survey of the history of the major political, economic, and social institutions of Africa with the major emphasis on the civilizations of West Africa.

HIST4393 The Ottoman Empire and Iran 1300-1722 (Odd years, Sp)  An examination of Ottoman government and society in the {Classical Period{ as well as a survey of Iranian history from 1300 to 1722. Special attention given to the Ottoman ruling structure, religious-legal establishment, and Ottoman conquests in the Balkans and Arab world.

HIST4413 New Women in the Middle East  (Sp, Odd years) This course covers the transformation of social and cultural roles of women in the Middle East since the 19th century. Emphases include political emancipation, religious reformation, artistic representation, and gendered re-definition.

HIST4423 The Mediterranean World  (Even years, Fa)  An introduction to the Mediterranean as a region, including both its northern and southern shores. Cultural, economic, and political themes are pursued regionally from the 16th century until present.

HIST4433 Social and Cultural History of the Modern Middle East (Odd years, Sp)  An analysis of Middle East history in the 17th-20th centuries which focuses on the social transformation of urban and rural life. Particular emphasis is given to the roles of economics, genealogy, art, and popular culture.

HIST4453 American Ethnic History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Covers issues of ethnicity and assimilation not covered in courses on African-American and Native American history. Focus is threefold: the experience of immigrants and their descendants; the reactions of government, popular movements, and influential opinion-makers to immigrants; and changes in immigration policy.

HIST4463 The American Frontier (Sp)  American westward expansion and its influence on national institutions and character. Emphasis on the pioneer family and the frontier’s role in shaping American society, culture, economy, and politics. Topics include exploration, the fur trade, the cattle kingdom and the mining, farming, and military frontiers.

HIST4473 Environmental History  (Irregular)  Examines the interactions between human culture and the natural environments: Concepts of nature in the West and elsewhere, dynamics of the Physical Environment, case studies in Regional Environmental History and the Politics of Environmental movements.

HIST4493 Religion in America to 1860  (Irregular)  History of religion in early America, primarily from a social and cultural perspective. Topics will include region, social class, growth of institutions, slavery, print culture, and social reform in traditions including Protestantism, West African religion, Catholicism, Native American religion, and Judaism.

HIST4503 History of Political Parties in the United States, 1789-1896  (Even years, Fa)  Origin and development of the American party system from the implementation of the constitution to the election of McKinley.

HIST4513 History of Political Parties in the United States Since 1896 (Odd years, Sp)  Response of the party system to America’s emergence as an industrial nation and world power from the election of 1896 to present.

HIST4533 American Social and Intellectual History to 1865 (Fa)  Survey of significant ideas and institutions from Colonial times through the Civil War with emphasis upon religious, educational, literary, and scientific developments.

HIST4543 American Social and Intellectual History Since 1865  (Irregular)  Survey of thought and society since the Civil War with emphasis upon the nature of American life in the 20th century.

HIST4563 The Old South, 1607-1865 (Odd years, Fa)  Survey of the political, social, and economic development of the antebellum South.

HIST4573 The New South, 1860 to the Present  (Even years, Fa)  Survey of the development of the Civil War and postwar South to the present.

HIST4583 Arkansas in the Nation (Fa)  Designed to provide advanced undergraduate and graduate students with a comprehensive understanding of the full sweep of Arkansas history. The focus will be on social, economic and political history, and historiography.

HIST4613 Colonial America to 1763 (Fa)  Political, economic, and social history of colonial development from the time of contact to the Treaty of Paris, with primary, but not exclusive, emphasis upon Anglo-America. (Same as HIST 4613I)

HIST4643 Early American Republic, 1801-1828 (Sp, Fa)  History of the early United States emphasizing social and cultural perspectives. Topics addressed will include westward expansion, slavery, religion, and economic change.

HIST4653 Antebellum America, 1828-1850 (Sp, Fa)  History of antebellum U.S. emphasizing social and cultural perspectives. Topics addressed will include slavery, religion, gender, the market economy, regionalism, and political developments.

HIST4663 Rebellion to Reconstruction, 1850-1877  (Even years, Sp)  A survey of political, social, and economic issues from the late antebellum period through Reconstruction. Emphasis is placed on the causes of the Civil War and the problems of postwar America. A brief examination of the Civil War is included.

HIST4673 The American Civil War (Fa)  An intensive study of the political, social, military, and economic aspects of the American Civil War period.

HIST4683 The Business Corporation in American Life and Thought  (Even Years, Sp)  The legal, social and political background of the business corporation, seeking explanations as to why the corporation became the dominant form of economic organization by the late nineteenth century. The course will also examine the social and political effects of corporate power.

HIST4703 Emergence of Modern America, 1876-1917 (Fa)  A survey of the impact of the Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, and progressivism upon American life and institutions.

HIST4723 America Between the Wars, 1917-1941 (Sp)  The impact of World War I, the 1920s, and the Great Depression upon American society and culture.

HIST4733 Recent America, 1941 to the Present (Sp)  A general survey of American history since World War II with emphasis upon the presidency, reform movements, the Cold War, and cultural developments.

HIST4743 History of Brazil  (Even years, Sp)  A survey of five centuries of a new world in the tropics, covering exploration and settlement, slavery and expert monoculture, industrialization, and popular culture.

HIST4753 Diplomatic History of the United States, 1776-1900 (Odd Years, Fa)  Survey of American foreign relations from the American Revolution through the Spanish-American War. Principal topics include isolationism, freedom of the seas, manifest destiny and continental expansion, overseas expansion, and the diplomacy of war and peace. Emphasis on the relationship between domestic politics and foreign affairs. Prerequisite: HIST 2003.

HIST4763 Diplomatic History of the United States, 1900-1945  (Even Years, Sp)  America’s development as a world power. The course examines U.S. relations with Europe, Latin America, and East Asia, plus America’s first approach to the Middle East. Particular emphasis is placed on America’s involvement in World War I and World War II. Prerequisite: HIST 2013.

HIST4773 Diplomatic History of the US, 1945 to Present (Fa)  U.S. involvement in world affairs since WWII. The Cold War from an international perspective, including strategies, nuclear deterrence, conflicts, economic developments, cultural relations among allies and adversaries. Post-Cold War scenarios, including war on terrorism.

HIST4813 History of China to 1644 (Odd years, Fa)  (Formerly HIST 4313) A history of pre-modern China, including the study of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

HIST4823 Modern China (Odd years, Sp)  (Formerly HIST 4323) Survey of Chinese culture, society, government and diplomacy between 1644 and 1912.

HIST4833 Chinese Revolutions  (Even years, Fa)  (Formerly HIST 4333) A study of political, cultural, economic, and social revolutions in China since 1900.

HIST4843 Modern Japan  (Irregular)  (Formerly HIST 4843) Survey of Japanese history since 1859 to the downfall of Tokugawa shogunate through the two world wars to the rise of an economic superpower. Emphasis is placed on Japanese economic, social, and political questions, including their successes and costs. 

HIST5023 Historical Methods (Fa)  Practical introduction to historical research and writing. Consists of lecture, library reading, and class criticism of research papers. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5043 Historiography (Sp)  Survey of the history of historical writing and a study of the important schools and historical interpretation. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5053 Reading Seminar in Asian History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Concentrated reading in selected specialized areas of Asian history. Prerequisite: advanced graduate standing.

HIST506V Readings in European History (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6)  Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST507V Readings in American History (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6)  Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST508V Research Problems in European History (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6)  Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST509V Research Problems in American History (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6)  Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5103 Reading Seminar in American History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Historiographical and bibliographical study of special areas of U.S. history, such as the Age of Jackson, the Civil War, etc. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5123 Research Seminar in American History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Research projects in selected fields of American history, such as the Civil War, the Age of Jackson, etc. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5133 Reading Seminar in European History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Historiographical and bibliographical study of special periods in European history, such as the Roman Empire, the late Middle Ages, the French Revolution, etc. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5143 Research Seminar in European History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Research projects in selected fields of European history, such as the French Revolution, humanism, etc. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5163 Research Seminar in British History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Research projects in selected fields of British history.

HIST517V Readings in Asian History (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6)  Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST519V Readings in Near Eastern History (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6)  Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST520V Research Problems in Near Eastern History (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6)  Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5213 Reading Seminar in Middle Eastern History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Historiographical and bibliographical study of special areas of Middle Eastern history. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST5233 Research Seminar in Middle Eastern History (Sp, Su, Fa)  Research projects in selected fields of Middle Eastern history. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST560V Teaching Foreign Cultures in Social Studies Curriculum  (Su)  (1-6)  Extensive examination of foreign cultures (West Europe, USSR, China, Latin America) and methods of teaching about them in secondary school social studies. Four week residential summer institute. (Same as PLSC 560V)

HIST600V Master’s Thesis (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6)  Prerequisite: graduate standing.

HIST700V Doctoral Dissertation (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-18)  Prerequisite: candidacy.