History and Political Thought

• History & Political Thought Major
• 45 Units

• Core Courses
• 26 Units

• HST 326: American History
• 3

This survey course in American history from colonial times to the present will include the political, economic, social, and cultural development at each phase of the country's growth and progress through the study of colonization, independence, early nationhood, sectional strife culminating in the Civil War, Reconstruction, industrial expansion, world power, economic depression, reform, two world wars, the Cold War, and contemporary issues.

• HST 332: Ancient Greece and Rome
• 3

The history of ancient Greece and Rome from the time of Homer to the fall of the Roman Empire will be examined in this course with particular emphasis on Greek and Roman politics, socio-economic life and structures, classical culture and philosophy, and the rise of Christianity.

• HST 334: Medieval History
• 3

This course will examine Europe from the early Middle Ages to the Renaissance, to include barbarian tribes and the barbarian conversion to Christianity, the development of feudal society, the emergence of the Christian church, and the rise of kings and nation states. Particular attention will be given to the legacy of Rome, medieval peasant life, the Crusades, religious conflict and the struggle over orthodoxy, and the relationship between Christians and Jews. Offered alternate years.

• HST 336: The Renaissance and the Reformation
• 3

This course examines European history from the 14th to the 17th centuries, which was a transitional period between medieval and modern history that brought about major changes to religion, politics and society in Europe. Special emphasis will include the Renaissance and the emergence of humanism, Martin Luther and the Lutheran Reformation, the English Reformations, the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation, the early modern Witch-Craze, and the Thirty Years’ War. Offered alternate years.

• HST 338: Modern European History
• 3

This course integrates various political, social, economic, and cultural phases of Europe's history from the 18th century to the present, including the French Revolution, industrialization, imperialism, the unification of Italy and Germany, communism, fascism; the two world wars, and the Cold War. It will also trace the major scientific, literary, and artistic developments through this era.

• ​POL321: Western Political Thought
• 3

This course will examine the major thinkers of Western political thought from classical Greece to the modern period with an emphasis on governance, the notion of freedom, the relationship between the individual and the state, conflict and the resolution of conflict, and the role of virtue as it relates to politics and political thought.

• Complete at least 1 of the following Courses

• ​HST 301: East Asian History
• 3

This survey examines the history of East Asia from its ancient origins through the modern period, with an emphasis on the region’s most significant political and cultural developments. Specific emphasis will be on China and Japan and an understanding and appreciation of their impact on regional and global history.

• ​HST 303: Latin American History
• 3

This course provides an overview of Latin American history as well as provides a concentrated look at some of the major countries in Latin America. The course includes a brief examination of the colonial period, but concentrates on Latin America in the modern period, from independence to present. While Latin America was guided by the idea of progress in the nineteenth century, revolution and counter-revolution became concerns in the twentieth century. This course considers the themes of progress and revolution in modern Latin American history.

• Complete at least 1 of the following Courses

• HST 315: Religion and Politics in America
• 3

Religion has been an integral part of the American experience, including the American political experiment with democracy. While there is an official separation of church and state in America, there is also a recognition that religion is a significant influence on both public and private life in America. Many observers and experts have marveled at the degree of religious intensity in one of the most modern, powerful, and wealthy nations in the world. Despite the abundance of material wealth in the United States, many Americans continue to be drawn to something beyond that materialism. In both the American past and present, cultural values and ideas are a major part of American politics. Cross-listed with POL 315.

OR

• ​POL 315: Religion and Politics in America
• 3

Religion has been an integral part of the American experience, including the American political experiment with democracy. While there is an official separation of church and state in America, there is also a recognition that religion is a significant influence on both public and private life in America. Many observers and experts have marveled at the degree of religious intensity in one of the most modern, powerful, and wealthy nations in the world. Despite the abundance of material wealth in the United States, many Americans continue to be drawn to something beyond that materialism. In both the American past and present, cultural values and ideas are a major part of American politics. Cross-listed with HST 315.

• HST 340: Race and Politics in America
• 3

An examination of the dynamics of race relations in modern America. While the course begins in post-Civil War America and continues to the present, it highlights the dramatic events of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, analyzing the role of ordinary individuals as well as those in various positions of government. Cross-listed with POL 340.

OR

• POL 340: Race and Politics in America
• 3

An examination of the dynamics of race relations in modern America. While the course begins in post-Civil War America and continues to the present, it highlights the dramatic events of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, analyzing the role of ordinary individuals as well as those in various positions of government. Cross-listed with HST 340.

• POL 211: American Government

The theories of government basic to an understanding of the American Constitution; political parties in the American system; history, character and functions of government in the United States.

• Complete at least 1 of the following Courses

• HST 309: The U.S. Constitution
• 3

This course will look at the origins of the American political system from the end of the Seven Years' War through the Louisiana Purchase and Marbury vs. Madison, with a focusing on government under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, ratification controversies, the first political party system, and Jeffersonian vs. Hamiltonian approaches to government. Offered alternate years. Cross listed with POL 309.

OR

• POL 309: The U.S. Constitution
• 3

This course will look at the origins of the American political system from the end of the Seven Years' War through the Louisiana Purchase and Marbury vs. Madison, focusing on government under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, ratification controversies, the first political party system, and Jeffersonian vs. Hamiltonian approaches to government. Offered alternate years. Cross listed with HST 309.

• POL 322: Political Thought II: The Enlightenment
• 3

This course will analyze the nuances and trace the development of Western political thought from the early Enlightenment (17th century) to the present with attention given to the questions facing every generation concerning the nature of political association and the good society. Students will become familiar with each major political thinker, the context in which they wrote, and their influence upon the history of ideas.

• POL 343: Grand Strategy
• 3

This course will explore the aspect of statecraft in international relations known as “grand strategy” from a theoretical and historical perspective.This course traces how statesmen have or have not marshalled and coordinated the political, diplomatic, military, material, cultural, and moral resources available to a state, to achieve, or fail to achieve long-term objectives in the international environment during war and peace.

• Capstone Complete ALL of the following Courses
• 6 Units

• HST 470: Seminar Topic in History
• 3

One of two capstone courses in the history major, this class is a small group discussion driven seminar devoted to exploring a topic chosen by the instructor, serving as a summative experience in history. Assignments will require topical research in history as well as written and oral presentation. May be repeated once for credit in major.

• ​ HST 480: Advanced Research in History
• 3

This course allows students to explore the nature and the practice of history through a significant research and writing project. Students will be able to delve into a historical topic of their choice, utilizing the “building blocks” of history: sources, method, and interpretation. This capstone course provides the opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and skills of historical scholarship. May be repeated once for credit in major.

OR

• ​ POL 480: Advanced Research in Politics
• 3

This course allows students to explore political thought in theory and practice through a significant research and writing project. Students will be able to delve into a political thought topic of their choice, engaging contemporary political philosophy, history, contemporary politics, and discourses of power. This capstone course provides the opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and skills of scholarship in political thought. May be repeated once for credit in major.

OR

• HST 490: Internship: History
• 3

This course is an intense part- or full-time practical experience outside the classroom that is an integral part of a professional program and contributes significantly to the preparation of a student for entrance into a profession. Approximately forty (40) contact hours are required for each unit of credit. Each department may limit the maximum number of internship credit.

OR

• POL 490: Internship: Political
• 3

This course is an intense part- or full-time practical experience outside the classroom that is an integral part of a professional program and contributes significantly to the preparation of a student for entrance into a profession. Approximately forty (40) contact hours are required for each unit of credit. Each department may limited the maximum number of internship credit.

• Earn at least 12 credits from the following
• 12 Units

• HST 310: Mythology
• 3

The reception of classical antiquity depends on both the stories the ancients told themselves, as well as their interpretation and reinscription in subsequent times and places. This course traces the debt moderns owe to the earliest recorded stories that shaped civilizations, both to appreciate the stories in their own historical context as well as consider the responses (both those that identify with antiquity and those that assume its alienation) of succeeding eras, culminating in critical consideration of contemporary cultural evocation of the classical tradition.

• HST 314: Native Peoples of North America
• 3

An anthropological overview of native North American societies from pre-Columbian times to the present will be the focus of this course, utilizing a culture area approach and including an emphasis on the native people of California. Cross listed with ANT 314.

OR

• ANT 314: Native Peoples of North America
• 3

An anthropological overview of native North American societies from pre-Columbian times to the present will be the focus of this course, utilizing a culture area approach and including an emphasis on the native people of California. Cross listed with HST 314. Offered alternate years.

• HST 322: Social Movements and Collective Action

This course will analyze the role of social movements and collective action in society by examining each as a key component in understanding how, why, and when change takes place in society, as well as who participates in this change and with what effectiveness. Cross listed with SOC 322.

OR

• SOC 322: Social Movements and Collective Action
• 3

This course will analyze the role of social movements and collective action in society by examining each as a key component in understanding how, why, and when change takes place in society, as well as who participates in this change and with what effectiveness. Cross listed with HST 322.

• ​ HST 323: A Global History of World War II
• 3

This course examines the origins, causes and contours of World War II with an emphasis on its global scope, political ideology and the rise of totalitarianism, military campaigns, the technological, imperial, social and economic dimensions of the war, racism as a factor in shaping the war in Europe and Asia, and the war’s moral and psychological implications.

• HST 330: War and Society
• 3

This course seeks to gain a greater understanding of human societies by exploring their relationship with warfare. Moreover, it seeks to understand how war-making and all of its composite factors (technology, culture, logistical needs, etc.) influence and change human society. Finally, it inquires into how various social and external factors help determine success or failure in warfare beyond the simple narration of tactics and command decisions.

• HST 337: History of Modern Russia
• 3

While modern Russia has been influenced by Western Europe, Russian history and culture has followed its own unique path of development. In 1917, traditional Russia was transformed into the modern Soviet Union, becoming “the world’s first socialist state.” The Soviet Union attracted considerable world attention, not only for its military might, but also because of its social, economic, and cultural experimentation. Despite numerous social and economic problems that have beset Russia since the break-up of the Soviet Union, Russia continued to attract attention due to its rich natural resources, its arsenal of nuclear weapons, its capabilities in cyber warfare, and its willingness to assert conventional military power.

• HST 346: Genocide and Mass Killing
• 3

This course examines genocide and mass killing as a global phenomenon, with an emphasis on episodes during the twentieth century. Examples may include the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, the killing fields of Cambodia and the Rwandan Genocide, among others. Particular areas of emphasis will include the psychology of the perpetrators, survivor accounts, and the legacy of genocide and mass killing as it pertains to historical memory and denialism.

• HST 378: History of California
• 3

The history of California from early times, including its Native American history and its place in the Spanish Empire. The course will examine California’s inclusion into the United States in the mid-nineteenth century and its growth into the country’s most populous state, with significant cultural, economic, and political impact.

• HST 437: Great Cities
• 3

This course will survey the history of one of the "great cities" of the world (culturally and intellectually significant urban centers of the past and/or present), with an emphasis on the record of development of urban space from literary, architectural, and other visual artifacts. Prerequisite: Spring course with travel component.

• HST 455: History and Philosophy of Science

This course will introduce the philosophic nature of science with a literary review of philosophic issues associated with the epistemological and historical development of science starting with ancient Greece through today. Cross listed with SCI 455. Prerequisite: CBIO 101 or consent of instructor.