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DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY

Chairperson: Administrative Asst:	Arthur Abraham, Box 9070, Room #101 Colson Hall, Phone: 524-5129 Melvina Lewis mlewis@vsu.edu
Professors:	Arthur Abraham, Majid Amini, Olwyn Blouet, Dirk Philipsen
Associate Professors:	Paul Alkebulan, Richard Chew, Renee Hill, Wesley Hogan
Assistant Professors:	Christopher Caldwell, Christina Proenza-Coles, Stephen Rockenbach

Description of Department

The academic programs offered by the History and Philosophy Department prepare persons for professional positions in history, philosophy, and history education. Students who want to study the black experience from an academic perspective may take the Black History concentration. The department, in conjunction with the Center for Undergraduate Professional Education Programs offers teaching endorsement in History and Social Sciences (6-12). Students interested in teaching careers in special education, early grades K-6 and middle grades, enter the Interdisciplinary Studies program. Further information can be obtained from the Center for Undergraduate Professional Education.

The Department's faculty, are active in research, writing and other academic activities that enhance professional growth and development. Both faculty and students participate in organizations and activities for the improvement of the academic performance of the Department's majors. There is an active VSU chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society.

Mission of Department

The Department of History and Philosophy was established in 1914, and became one of the first University programs to offer the M.A. Degree. The mission of the Department is to engender knowledge of the struggles and achievements of previous generations, foster an appreciation of global interdependence and cultural diversity, and produce students with strong communication and research skills. Majors from the Department are prepared for graduate and professional programs such as History, International Relations or Law, and they possess an essential foundation for a variety of careers in the public and private service sectors, museum, library and archival work, research agencies and Think Tanks and in teaching History at the secondary school level.

Objectives of Department

The general objectives of the department are to:

Prepare majors for graduate and professional schools.
Service History and Philosophy courses in the GE Program.
Provide the advanced History, Philosophy and Geography courses required for students in other disciplines.
Prepare majors to teach History and Social Studies in the public schools.

Programs in Department

There are a number of undergraduate programs in the History and Philosophy Department.

The basic History curriculum prepares students for graduate work and for careers as teachers, historians, archivists, and professionals in related areas.
The History and Social Sciences Endorsement curriculum prepares students to teach in the secondary schools and for careers in related fields.
The Black History program is a concentration in the history curriculum, which places the study of people of African descent at the center of academic interest. It consists of a minimum of 15 semester hours of courses relating to the Black experience, nine of which are core courses and the rest are electives.
The Department also offers a minor in Philosophy, which enables students to broaden their academic and professional options. As a structured sequence of philosophy courses, the Minor provides an opportunity for students to develop their critical thinking, analytical abilities, and effective communication. People trained in philosophy are very much in demand for professions such as law, journalism, publishing, banking, civil service and many others.
In collaboration with the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the department offers a pre-Law program to help prepare students with skills necessary for the challenges of a law school environment.

In addition to these formal programs, the Department offers courses to prepare students for other career options.

Other Departmental Information

Undergraduates in the Department are active in the Philosophy Club and the history club called Society of Scholars. Members participate in campus-wide programs, travel to meetings and sites related to their career goals and engage in cultural and social events. Students who meet the academic requirements become members of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society.

The academic progress and needs of majors are assessed by written and oral tests at various stages of their programs.

Course Descriptions

GEHI 114

WORLD HISTORY TO 1500 - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

A topical introduction to the development of civilization up to the eve of the Modern Period, covering the growth of independent cultural traditions and diffusion of ideas, institutions and people.

GEHI 115

WORLD HISTORY SINCE 1500 - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

A Topical introduction to the evolution of civilizations through the scientific, industrial, political and economic revolutions of the Modern Period down to the present. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of global interdependence through the interaction of western and non-western cultures.

GEHI 122

UNITED STATES HISTORY TO 1865 - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

Introduces students to the social, political and economic history of the United States from Pre-Columbian America to the end of the Civil War.

GEHI 123

UNITED STATES HISTORY AFTER 1865 - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

Introduces students to the social, political and economic history of the United States from Reconstruction to Contemporary America.

GEPI 140

PHILOSOPHY - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

An introduction to methods of critical thinking, and to the major problem areas of philosophy such as epistemology, metaphysics and ethics.

GEOGRAPHY

GEOG 210

WORLD GEOGRAPHY - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

An introduction to the geographic principles underlying different types of climate and their influence on society in various physical and political regions.

GEOG 313

VIRGINIA GEOGRAPHY - 3 semester hours F

A survey of the geographic regions of Virginia, and the influence of geographic factors on social and economic problems in Virginia, past and present.

GEOG 314

GEOGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA - 3 semester hours Sp

A study of the physical and cultural environments of North America with emphasis on regional economic activities.

GEOG 316

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A survey of the content of human geography. Topics include population, migration, urban geography, the distribution of agriculture and industry, and human environmental impact.

GEOG 410

GEOGRAPHY OF DEVELOPING NATIONS - 3 semester hours Sp

A study of the relationships between population and economic development in developing countries, and of possible responses to current problems and their consequences.

GEOG 411

URBAN GEOGRAPHY - 3 semester hours F

An examination of the economic basis, regional spacing and internal social and economic organization of cities.

GEOG 412

SEMINAR OF LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT - 3 semester hours F

Interpretation of the landscape features of the United States with an emphasis on the historical and present patterns of social and economic activities.

GEOG 413

ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY - 3 semester hours Sp

A study of the relation between natural resources and the development and interdependence of national industrial and trade centers.

HISTORY

HIST 201

HISTORICAL METHODS - 3 semester hours F

An introduction to the craft of researching and writing in the discipline of history.

HIST 222

U.S. HISTORY, EARLY BEGINNINGS TO 1865 - 3 semester hours F, Sp

This reading and writing intensive survey course provides students with an in-depth analysis of key historical issues of American history from the first habitation to the end of the Civil War.

HIST 223

U.S. HISTORY, 1865 TO PRESENT - 3 semester hours F, Sp

This reading and writing intensive survey course provides students with an in-depth analysis of key historical issues of American history from 1865 to today.

HIST 250

AMERICAN SPORTS HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

A social history of America, using sports and leisure as indicators of how these activities reflect American attitudes from the colonial period to the present day.

HIST 299

SPECIAL TOPICS IN HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A temporary and/or topic specific course with content appropriate for a sophomore level audience.

HIST 301

HISTORY OF ASIA - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A survey of the cultures, empires and peoples of Asia.

HIST 304

AMERICAN MILITARY HISTORY - 3 semester hours Sp

A study of American Military History, and the origin and the growth of the United States Army and its accomplishments in war and peace from 1775 to the present.

HIST 312

HISTORY OF RUSSIA AND THE SOVIET UNION - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A historical overview of the development of the state, the time period of Communist control as the Soviet Union and the re-emergence of non-communist Russia.

HIST 317

HISTORY OF ENGLAND - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A survey of the social, economic, and political development of England from 1485 to the twentieth century.

HIST 325

SURVEY OF LATIN AMERICA - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An overview of the history, culture, and politics of Latin America from the pre-Colunbian era to the present day.

HIST 327

HISTORY OF THE CARIBBEAN - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A history of the political, economic, and social characteristics of the Caribbean region.

HIST 340

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY TO 1865 - 3 semester hours F, Sp

This reading and writing intensive course will provide students with an analysis of important issues in African American origins to 1865.

HIST 341

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY FROM 1865 TO PRESENT - 3 semester hours F, Sp

This reading and writing intensive course will provide students with an analysis of important issues in African American history from 1865 to the present.

HIST 352

BLACK VOICES IN AMERICAN HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A reading and discussion intensive course that explores the ways in which African Americans have experienced and responded to life in the social, political, and economic spheres of American society.

HIST 399

SPECIAL TOPICS IN HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A temporary and/or topic-specific course with content appropriate for an upperclassman audience.

HIST 401

COLONIAL AMERICA TO 1763 - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A study of the establishment and development of British colonies in North America emphasizing their political, social and economic patterns.

HIST 402

STUDENT TEACHING IN HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

This course is designed to provide supervision in the content area for pre-service secondary history candidates.

HIST 405

REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD, 1763-1815 - 3 semester hours F

An examination of the founding of the United States from the Revolution through the War of 1812.

HIST 406

NATIVE AMERICANS IN EARLY AMERICA - 3 semester hours Sp

A study of native Americans in North America from the earliest settlements on the continent until the early nineteenth century.

HIST 409

ANTE BELLUM AMERICA - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An overview of the United States from 1815 to the outbreak of the Civil War, with an emphasis on major political, economic and social trends.

HIST 413

CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION - 3 semester hours Sp

A study of the Civil War and its causes as well as the economic, political, and social changes in the South during Reconstruction.

HIST 415

THE NEW SOUTH - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A study of the effects of the Civil War and Emancipation on southern reconstruction, industrialization, and agriculture.

HIST 417

PROGRESSIVISM TO DEPRESSION, 1900-1933 - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An intensive study of the United States in the first three decades of the twentieth century, including a consideration of Progressive Reform, World War I, the Twenties, the Crash, and the Depression.

HIST 421

NEW DEAL TO NOW, 1933 TO THE PRESENT - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

A concentrated study of the recent history of the United States, including a consideration of the Depression and the New Deal, the Second World War, the Cold War, Civil Rights struggle, and other domestic developments.

HIST 425

CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

An intensive study of contemporary topics and analysis of their background and impact.

HIST 426

METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR TEACHING HISTORY AND SOCIAL

STUDIES IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL - 3 semester hours F

Implications of contemporary teaching strategies, educational materials, and instructional designs for cross-disciplinary instruction in history and social studies.

HIST 428

AMERICA IN TWO WORLD WARS - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A study of America's participation in World War I and World War II, the conflicts that marked America's transition to a global superpower.

HIST 431

HISTORY OF VIRGINIA - 3 semester hours Sp

A general course on the development of Virginia and its role in the history of the nation.

HIST 435

AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC HISTORY - 3 semester hours F ,Sp, Su

A comprehensive study of American foreign relations from the colonial era to the present day.

HIST 437

ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES -

3 semester hours F

A study of the ideas, forces, and people behind the emergence of a capitalist economy in the United States, from the Revolution to the present.

HIST 439

AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A historical study of the creation of the U.S. constitution, its impact upon American development and society, and the evolution of the document to contemporary history

HIST 441

AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An overview of the major social trends of the various peoples of America, including intellectual, religious, cultural and literary movements.

HIST 443

HISTORY INTERNSHIP - 3 semester hours F, Sp

Provides students with the opportunity to experience the practice of history through placement in internships with public or private agencies.

HIST 444

SENIOR SEMINAR - 3 semester hour F

Designed as a capstone course for History majors, the Senior Seminar requires students to demonstrate their historical knowledge and skills through the research, writing, presentation and defense of a seminar paper on a topic approved by the seminar director.

HIST 445

WOMEN'S HISTORY - 3 semester hours Sp, Su

A study of the significance of women in American history, focusing on the changing historical roles of women in society and the emergence of the women's movement.

HIST 449

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An examination of the primary events, social movements and historical impact of American migration into the West from the nineteenth century to the present day.

HIST 451

BLACK HISTORY - 3 semester hours Sp

A study tracing the career of Afro-Americans throughout American history from the African background to present times.

HIST 453

HISTORY OF BLACK EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An investigation into the ideologies, methods, and struggles involved in the education of blacks in the United States across time and regions.

HIST 455

BLACK PROTEST IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - 3 semester hours F

An extensive examination of the efforts of Afro-Americans to secure freedom and dignity in twentieth-century America with emphasis on the philosophies and leaders of the major protest organizations.

HIST 459

A HISTORY OF BLACK RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES IN AMERICA - 3 semester hours F, Sp

This course examines the origins and contributions of the black sectarian and established religious experiences in America from the Colonial period to the present.

HIST 461

HISTORY OF AFRICA TO 1800 - 3 semester hours F

Survey of the history of Africa from earliest times to the end of the 18^th century. The course will explode the old myths of Africa as a 'dark continent', and emphasize the internal dynamics of the development of indigenous cultures and civilizations. Africa's contribution to world history, and the significance of external forces as they impacted Africa, especially the slave trade, will be underscored.

HIST 462

HISTORY OF AFRICA SINCE 1800 - 3 semester hours Sp

Survey of the history of Africa since the late 18^th century as a background for understanding today's events. The course will examine socio-economic and political developments inside Africa, relations with outside forces, and the increasing European interest in Africa, which paved way for the imposition of European colonialism. The colonial impact and African reactions, decolonization, the post-colonial period and the current problems and prospects of Africa will be studied.

HIST 463

THE RISE OF THE ATLANTIC WORLD - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A study of how European exploration and trade brought together Europe, Africa and the new World in a commercial relationship culminating in the Atlantic slave trade; the coping mechanisms and the role of Africans in the emergence of new communities around this Atlantic world.

HIST 465

WEST AFRICA IN THE ERA OF THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE - 3 Sem. Hrs. F, Sp

A study of the social, political and economic developments inside West Africa in the era of the greatest forced migration in human history. Attention will be paid to the ways in which the slave trade influenced internal developments and impacted societies in West Africa.

HIST 471

COMPARATIVE WORLD RELIGIONS - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A comparison of the world's major religions and their influence on World History.

HIST 481

EUROPE, 1814-1914 - 3 semester hours F

An examination of the rise of nationalism and industrialism in Europe during the nineteenth century and the causes of World War I.

HIST 483

EUROPE SINCE 1914 - 3 semester hours Sp

An examination of conditions in Europe since 1914: the rise of dictatorship; the coming of World War II; the defeat of the Axis; the end of European imperialism; and post-war European organization and problems.

HIST 487

BRITISH EMPIRE/COMMONWEALTH - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A survey of the development of the British Empire from the American Revolution to the Commonwealth of Nations and its place in the Age of Anti-Colonialism.

HIST 489

AMERICAN LEGAL HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A history of the American legal system from the colonial era to the present, emphasizing the changing nature of the law to reflect American society.

HIST 491

FRENCH REVOLUTION - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An analytical examination of the people and processes of the French Revolutionary period. A special focus of this course will be the study of revolutionary theories developed by social scientists during the last several decades.

HIST 492

AMERICAN IMMIGRATION HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A history of immigration to the Western Hemisphere, including a discussion of where the immigrants came from, why they came, and how they influenced America after their arrival.

HIST 495

INDEPENDENT STUDY IN HISTORY - 3 semester hours F, Sp, Su

An open format history course featuring directed supervision of the student in their chosen topic by a designated faculty member.

PHILOSOPHY

PHIL 180

CRITICAL THINKING - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An introductory course exploring the nature and structure of arguments and enhancing reasoning abilities. Students will learn to develop and analyze arguments, identify informal fallacies, differentiate among assumptions, opinions, and facts, and hone critical reading and writing skills.

PHIL 213

HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A survey of the history of Western philosophy from the Renaissance through t he nineteenth century, including Hobbes, Descartes, Leibnitz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Kant, and Hegel.

PHIL 220

INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An introduction to the methods of elementary formal logic, including traditional syllogistic, Venn diagrams, sentential logic, truth tables, methods of deduction, and inductive reasoning.

PHIL 275

ETHICS - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An introductory study of the nature, analysis, and justification of moral judgments.

PHIL 290 BUSINESS ETHICS - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A course designed to introduce students to ethical theories and moral reasoning which they will then apply to business case studies. Students will consider contemporary moral dilemmas confronting businesses and corporations. They will develop the critical skills needed to analyze complex moral situations and formulate, weigh, discuss and defend appropriate moral solutions.

PHIL 314

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION - 3 semester Sp

A survey of Eastern and Western religious thought, including the idea of God, knowledge of God, the problem of evil, immortality, and reincarnation.

PHIL 315

AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY - 3 semester hours F

An exploration of metaphysical, epistemological and ethical theories arising from peoples of the African continent. Students will analyze, discuss and compare the differing principles and world views of the diverse African societies.

PHIL 323

READINGS IN PHILOSOPHY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A close reading of original philosophical works on an in-depth treatment of a philosophical problem, such as readings in the philosophy of law, Black philosophy, existentialism, the philosophy of language, and symbolic logic.

PHIL 340

PHILOSOPHY OF MIND - 3 semester hours F, Sp

The question 'what is it to have a mind?' forms the focus of the course, and the objective is to arrive at an answer by examining the multifarious manifestations of mind. The course is organized around an interdisciplinary approach by incorporating theories from psychology, artificial intelligence and cognitive science.

PHIL 350

PHILOSOPHY OF LAW - 3 semester hours Sp

An examination of the source, content and extent of political and moral rights and obligations. Other concepts explored will be autonomy, privacy, freedom of religion, equal opportunity, paternalism, and how these concepts impact issues such as conscientious objection, flag burning, pornography, affirmative action, abortion, and euthanasia.

PHIL 400

CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

A study of twentieth century Western philosophy, including the work of such contemporary philosophers as Russell, Wittgenstein, Pierce, James, Dewey, Heidegger, and Sartre.

PHIL 422

PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An examination of the fundamental conceptual basis of the sciences; consideration given to scientific methods of certification, theory construction and explanation, the metaphysical assumptions and implications of scientific theories, and the relations between the scientific and non-scientific views of the world.

PHIL 424

SEMINAR IN PHILOSOPHY - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An opportunity for students to pursue original research in an area of the instructor's special interest and study.

PHIL 450

APPLIED ETHICS - 3 semester hours F, Sp

An in-depth exploration of moral theory and discussion of its application to broad areas such as business, the environment, or bio-medical issues.

PHIL 460

EPISTEMOLOGY AND METAPHYSICS - 3 semester hours F, Sp

The course examines the nature of knowledge and reality. It covers epistemological issues such as skepticism, analysis of knowledge, relevance of gender and race to understanding and the ethics of belief. It also deals with metaphysical questions about what there is in reality and how the world works by discussion issues like appearance and reality, substance and identity, causation and laws, and space and time.