History (HIST)

This workshop is a study of life in colonial Virginia. Through the use of primary and secondary sources, the students research an aspect of Virginia culture and society. A week of the course is in Williamsburg, Virginia. Graduate students are expected to lead research groups and demonstrate knowledge of secondary literature of the period.

This workshop examines the impact of the Civil War upon Virginia and her citizens. It explores the secession crisis, tactical and technological developments, and the evolution into "hard war." A four-day battlefield tour will reinforce ideas discussed in the classroom. Students must demonstrate command of the historiography and key primary sources.

An interpretative survey of England's mainland colonies from 1558-1776, with special attention to the evolution of the first British empire, historiography and important primary sources.

An interpretive study of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the United States from the French and Indian War through the Federalist period. Particular emphasis is placed upon historiography and analysis of primary sources as reflected through class discussion, oral presentations and writing assignments.

An interpretative study of the political, economic, social, intellectual and cultural history of the United States from the ratification of the Constitution through the Mexican-American War. Particular emphasis placed upon historiography and analysis of primary sources as reflected through class discussion, oral presentations and writing assignments.

A study of the background, development, personalities and aftermath of the Civil War. Special attention is given to the coming of the war and different explanations of its causes and to the policies and significance of Reconstruction. Students must demonstrate command of the historiography and key primary sources.

This course undertakes a critical examination of the impact of industrialization, race and gender, consumerism, the New Deal, and two world wars on the lives of American workers and their unions. Students will learn the major historiographical problems in American labor history and develop a mastery of the secondary literature.

An interpretative study of U.S. history from the conclusion of the Civil War until the assassination of William McKinley, with special emphasis on industrialization, urbanization, western and overseas expansion, early reform movements and politics. Students will address historiography and examine primary sources.

An interpretative study of U.S. history from the rise of Theodore Roosevelt through the 1920s, with a focus on the progressive reform movement and the problems and issues generated by the Nation's emergence as a world power and an industrial urban society. Emphasis is placed on command of historiography and analysis of primary source material.

An interpretive study of US history from the onset of the Great Depression in 1929, through the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961. The analysis of historical texts, historiography of major figures and seminal events, and interpretation of major debates and historiographical trends will be emphasized in this seminar.

An interpretive study of US history from the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961 through the present. The analysis of historical texts, historiography of major figures and seminal events, and interpretation of major debates and historiographical trends will be emphasized in this seminar.

An exploration of the history, evolution, and function of history museums. Readings and discussions cover the history and genealogy of the modern museum; exhibits and the influence of other forms of display such as world's fairs and department stores; ethics, mission, and administration; collections management and conservation; education and interpretation; emerging technologies; historical memory and controversy in museums; the role of the community; and museums on a global stage.

This graduate seminar focuses on the historiographical issues in the broader field of the history of technology as well as the theoretical and conceptual frameworks used by historians to examine the interplay between technology and culture. Topically, this course examines the major events, themes, individuals, groups and issues associated with, and influenced by, the rapid technological changes in the United States from the 1870s to the present.

A study of the economic, intellectual, political and religious development of the English people from 1485-1714 with particular focus on the constitutional struggles of the period. The analysis of historical texts, historiography of major figures and events, and interpretation of major debates and historiographical trends will be emphasized.

A study of high medieval civilization as an introduction to the history of modern Europe. Attention is given to the Italian and northern renaissance, the fragmentation of western Christendom, the intellectual impact of Luther and Calvin on western thought, and the structure of Tudor despotism in England.

Detailed analysis of the bibliography, methods, substance and interpretations of family history in Europe and America. Emphasis will be on sources, structure, patterns of change and continuity, and stages of family life to the Industrial Revolution.

Africa in the 20th century, with emphasis on Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Zaire. Special attention is given to the legacy of the slave trade and the effects of colonization on independent Africa.

This seminar covers the period from the Russian Revolution in 1917 to the present. Topics include pre-revolutionary Russia, the revolutions of 1917, civil war, the 1920s Stalinism, World War II, the Cold War, the disintegration, the current situation in the former Soviet states, and the historiographical literature.

Attention is focused on Europe in the middle ages, with a concentration on social and intellectual aspects and on the development of parliamentary institutions. Students must demonstrate command of the historiographical sources.

An advanced study of the lands between Germany and Russia from the Baltic to the Balkans. The course covers the collapse of the Central European empires, the birth of independent East European states between the wars, the World War II occupation of the region, the communist era, and the post-communist world. Students will consider primary and secondary sources and must demonstrate command of the historiography.

Selected topics are studied in depth. Topic and professor offering the course will change with each offering. This course may be repeated when content is different.

Focused readings on material culture studies. Readings explore approaches, theories and methods of various disciplines that utilize material culture as evidence. Emphasis is on persistent themes in material culture studies including regional variation and cultural transfer, identity formation and class issues, consumerism, and ethnicity and acculturation.

An introduction to the philosophy and technique of historic preservation. Course examines the Secretary of the Interior's guidelines for restoration, state and national register forms and procedures, historic architecture, structural analysis, restoration techniques as well as the business aspects of historic preservation projects. Students undertake leadership assignments for architectural field assessments and national register nominations.

A study of the varying philosophical and practical perspectives related to archives and manuscripts processing and administration. Through targeted readings in the professional literature, field trips, and leadership roles in discussions, students will explore topics such as appraisal, acquisition, preservation, access, and contemporary ethical, legal and technological issues. Students will undertake a manuscript processing or administrative project.

A seminar on the theory and methodology of genealogical research, including the critical evaluation of sources, incisive documentation, online resources and the critical analysis of research findings. The course will require extensive utilization of local and state repositories and engagement with local research topics as well as with personal data. Personal genealogical information should be collected and secured at home before the start of the semester.

This course is an intensive reading and writing seminar that covers aspects of the politics, economics and culture of the United States. This course may be repeated if the topic varies.

This course is organized around a particular theme determined by each instructor. Topics may include oral history, digital history, history and memory, historic preservation, history museums, material culture, controversies in public history, etc. Courses involve an examination of the history, background and particular issues pertaining to the topic as well as a focused study of the related methods, approaches, formats and audiences. Regardless of topic, students will develop practical skills and knowledge through hands-on, project-based learning experiences.

A topical approach to the study of recent U.S. history. Topics might include American science and technology, industrialism, 20th-century diplomacy, black nationalist thought, 20th-century American military history, or any pertinent topic falling within the post-1865 period.

A topical approach to the study of early European history. Topics might include ancient history, medieval Europe, Tudor-Stuart England, renaissance and reformation, the era of the French revolution, or any pertinent topic falling within the pre-1815 period. Topic and professor offering the course will change with each offering. This course may be repeated when content is different. See MyMadison for topic and professor.

This course provides students with practical experience in using historical skills in a public or private agency. It typically requires completion of a major project and periodic progress reports.

This course involves the creation of a substantial public history project informed by previous research and is intended to be taken in the final semester. Examples include creating a website, museum exhibit, documentary film, grant proposal or National Register nomination. Students will present their work in a public format.

This course is an intensive reading and writing seminar that covers aspects of the politics, economics and culture of a region or regions outside the U.S.

This course introduces students to the literature, concepts, themes and methodology of world history, a sub-field of history that seeks to compare experiences across regional, area, cultural and temporal boundaries, to look at the cross-cultural interactions and to examine large-scale patterns that have shaped history on a global scale.

The course examines the growth of the global economy since the 14th century. Concentrating on world systems/dependency theory approaches, it investigates the emergence of capitalism, its relationship to modern nationalism, and the role that the concept of development has played in the contemporary organization of nation-states.

This course provides a systematic presentation of the theories and approaches to historical research, including detailed analysis of historiography past and present and introduction to research methods. It is required of all first-year graduate students.

This course is an intensive research and writing seminar focused on the process of conceptualizing, researching, writing and refining historical research papers grounded in primary sources. Emphasis will be on evaluation of primary and secondary sources, interpretation of evidence, refinement of presentation and development of professional standards of criticism. It is required of all second-year graduate students.

The course introduces the interdisciplinary "field" of public history, its theories, methods and major forms, such as community/local history, historic preservation, archives, historical archaeology, museum studies, oral history or digital history. Guest experts, field trips and hands-on exercises supplement readings and discussions.

Continued preparation in anticipation of the comprehensive examination. Course may be repeated as needed.

Continued study, research and writing in the area of thesis concentration. Course may be repeated as needed.

This course is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis.