Graceland’s history degree allows students to explore different subjects in a variety of regions and eras, to find one that suits their particular interest.
Graceland invites history major students to study the past with an examination of multiple cultures to gain an appreciation of people with diverse backgrounds. Students have opportunities to study the history of the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, as well as explore world history as a whole through a robust curriculum.
Based on the standards suggested by the American Historical Association, the history degree program emphasizes the development of analytical skills for interpreting change and continuity, using and assessing historical documents, and evaluating different historical interpretations.
History is where humanities meet the social sciences. Graceland students benefit from top professors and small class sizes designed for maximum impact on the learning experience and are prepared for graduate-level studies and eventually careers with a history degree.
Our history degree curriculum will prepare students for a career within the niche they are most interested in.
In addition to the general education requirements, History majors must complete 37 semester hours as described below:
Core Courses 25 s.h.
Survey Courses 6 s.h.
Upper Division History Electives 6 s.h.
Students must complete 3 s.h. in one United States History and 3 s.h. in one European History.
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
A history of the people of African descent in the Americas, including the United States, as well as the Caribbean, Central and South America. Issues of survival and resistance, the persistence of racism and white supremacy, and struggles for freedom, across countries and time periods, will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
An introductory survey of selected world civilizations from earliest times to approximately 1500 A.D., combining broad chronological coverage with intensive concentration on a small number of selected topics. Those social, political, economic and intellectual themes which have a direct bearing upon contemporary culture and society will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Sustainability
An introductory survey of selected world civilizations from the emergence of Western Europe as a center of world power. The impact of Western civilizations upon the development of other world civilizations and the contemporary emergence of a global perspective will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Innovation.
An examination of the complex relationship between human society and nature from early settlements to the present in what is now the United States. Important topics include the impact of human settlement, population growth, use of land and natural resources, the effects of industrialization, and the development of the conservation and environmental movements. ELO5 Histories - Sustainability, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
A history of the peoples of the Americas, from their arrival in the western hemisphere through the 19th century. Topics to be addressed include Native American societies and states, the encounter with Europe, the long colonial period, and struggles for political and economic independence. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace
A history of the peoples of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, from the 19th century to the present. Topics to be addressed include struggles for political and economic independence, social movements, and the influence of North American and other outside powers. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace
A survey of experiences of women and definitions of gender, from prehistory to the present. Topics to be considered include relative equality of men and women in prehistory, the creation and persistence of patriarchy, women’s resistance to oppression and agency of women, and competing visions of women’s place in modern societies.
An exploration of the nature, uses, and methodologies of historical inquiry. Designed to help students with an interest in history to better understand the discipline. Students formulate historical questions, engage in basic research, review literature, and investigate the nature of historical interpretation. Prerequisite: 9 semester hours of history courses or instructor permission.
A survey of the personalities, events, and ideas which have shaped United States history from the earliest colonial settlements to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis upon the struggle for independence, the establishment of government under the Constitution, and the succeeding political, social, and economic movements that culminated in the Civil War. ELO5 Histories - Innovation
A survey of the personalities, events, and ideas that have shaped United States history since the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis upon the rise of the industrial United States, 20th century adjustments to prosperity, depression and world war, and the political, social, and economic changes since World War II. ELO5 Histories - Innovation, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
This course examines the causes and consequences of social, political, and economic inequalities in modern United States history. Through the examination of primary sources, students will engage in discussion of the cultural impact that inequality has had in shaping modern US society.
This course examines the root of sport in US history, from the colonial era to the present. Students will examine the relationship between organized sport and the social movements in the US, such as the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights and the Cold War.
A study of the history of the creation and evolving interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, with emphasis on important issues decided by the Supreme Court. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
The evolution of the office of the President, the recruitment of Presidents, and the various functions performed by the President. +This course is only offered every other year.
The history of the United States since 1960 emphasizing social and cultural trends. +This course is only offered every other year.
A thematic study of the mingling of Germanic, Roman and Christian traditions in Europe from circa 300 through 1450. Major topics will include the establishment of Papal authority, the Crusades, Chivalry, and the Black Death, and the changes in political and religious authority throughout the period. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
An advanced study of the continuity, change and revolutions in Europe in the period between 1350 and 1815. Major topics will include the Hundred Years War, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, the Witch Hunts, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Empire. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
An advanced study of the national and international developments in Europe from the French Revolution to the present. Major topics will include the Industrial Revolution, the revolutions of 1848, the rise of nationalism, World Wars I and II, and de-colonization during the Cold War. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
HIST4900 Senior Seminar I (also POLS4900) 1 s.h. Designed to help the history majors professionalize their knowledge and experience through writing a scholarly paper. History majors only. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of "C" in HIST2400 Historical Inquiry. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.)
HIST4910 Senior Seminar II (also POLS4910) 3 s.h. The research, writing, and evaluation of the completed seminar paper. Prerequisite: HIST4900.
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
A history of the people of African descent in the Americas, including the United States, as well as the Caribbean, Central and South America. Issues of survival and resistance, the persistence of racism and white supremacy, and struggles for freedom, across countries and time periods, will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
An introductory survey of selected world civilizations from earliest times to approximately 1500 A.D., combining broad chronological coverage with intensive concentration on a small number of selected topics. Those social, political, economic and intellectual themes which have a direct bearing upon contemporary culture and society will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Sustainability
An introductory survey of selected world civilizations from the emergence of Western Europe as a center of world power. The impact of Western civilizations upon the development of other world civilizations and the contemporary emergence of a global perspective will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Innovation.
An examination of the complex relationship between human society and nature from early settlements to the present in what is now the United States. Important topics include the impact of human settlement, population growth, use of land and natural resources, the effects of industrialization, and the development of the conservation and environmental movements. ELO5 Histories - Sustainability, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
A history of the peoples of the Americas, from their arrival in the western hemisphere through the 19th century. Topics to be addressed include Native American societies and states, the encounter with Europe, the long colonial period, and struggles for political and economic independence. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace
A history of the peoples of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, from the 19th century to the present. Topics to be addressed include struggles for political and economic independence, social movements, and the influence of North American and other outside powers. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace
A survey of experiences of women and definitions of gender, from prehistory to the present. Topics to be considered include relative equality of men and women in prehistory, the creation and persistence of patriarchy, women’s resistance to oppression and agency of women, and competing visions of women’s place in modern societies.
An exploration of the nature, uses, and methodologies of historical inquiry. Designed to help students with an interest in history to better understand the discipline. Students formulate historical questions, engage in basic research, review literature, and investigate the nature of historical interpretation. Prerequisite: 9 semester hours of history courses or instructor permission.
A survey of the personalities, events, and ideas which have shaped United States history from the earliest colonial settlements to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis upon the struggle for independence, the establishment of government under the Constitution, and the succeeding political, social, and economic movements that culminated in the Civil War. ELO5 Histories - Innovation
A survey of the personalities, events, and ideas that have shaped United States history since the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis upon the rise of the industrial United States, 20th century adjustments to prosperity, depression and world war, and the political, social, and economic changes since World War II. ELO5 Histories - Innovation, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
This course examines the causes and consequences of social, political, and economic inequalities in modern United States history. Through the examination of primary sources, students will engage in discussion of the cultural impact that inequality has had in shaping modern US society.
This course examines the root of sport in US history, from the colonial era to the present. Students will examine the relationship between organized sport and the social movements in the US, such as the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights and the Cold War.
A study of the history of the creation and evolving interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, with emphasis on important issues decided by the Supreme Court. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
The evolution of the office of the President, the recruitment of Presidents, and the various functions performed by the President. +This course is only offered every other year.
The history of the United States since 1960 emphasizing social and cultural trends. +This course is only offered every other year.
A thematic study of the mingling of Germanic, Roman and Christian traditions in Europe from circa 300 through 1450. Major topics will include the establishment of Papal authority, the Crusades, Chivalry, and the Black Death, and the changes in political and religious authority throughout the period. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
An advanced study of the continuity, change and revolutions in Europe in the period between 1350 and 1815. Major topics will include the Hundred Years War, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, the Witch Hunts, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Empire. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
An advanced study of the national and international developments in Europe from the French Revolution to the present. Major topics will include the Industrial Revolution, the revolutions of 1848, the rise of nationalism, World Wars I and II, and de-colonization during the Cold War. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
HIST4900 Senior Seminar I (also POLS4900) 1 s.h. Designed to help the history majors professionalize their knowledge and experience through writing a scholarly paper. History majors only. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of "C" in HIST2400 Historical Inquiry. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.)
HIST4910 Senior Seminar II (also POLS4910) 3 s.h. The research, writing, and evaluation of the completed seminar paper. Prerequisite: HIST4900.
A History minor consists of 18 hours or more in history including HIST2400 Historical Inquiry, six upper division hours, and at least three hours in each of the following areas: United States History and European History.
An exploration of the nature, uses, and methodologies of historical inquiry. Designed to help students with an interest in history to better understand the discipline. Students formulate historical questions, engage in basic research, review literature, and investigate the nature of historical interpretation. Prerequisite: 9 semester hours of history courses or instructor permission.
An exploration of the nature, uses, and methodologies of historical inquiry. Designed to help students with an interest in history to better understand the discipline. Students formulate historical questions, engage in basic research, review literature, and investigate the nature of historical interpretation. Prerequisite: 9 semester hours of history courses or instructor permission.
Discussions of the general and specific objectives of social studies in the secondary school system, the materials and resources available, techniques in teaching the social studies, types of curricula, and methods of evaluation. Prerequisites: admittance into Teacher Education, unless part of an approved Liberal Studies Program.
Discussions of the general and specific objectives of social studies in the secondary school system, the materials and resources available, techniques in teaching the social studies, types of curricula, and methods of evaluation. Prerequisites: admittance into Teacher Education, unless part of an approved Liberal Studies Program.
A history of the people of African descent in the Americas, including the United States, as well as the Caribbean, Central and South America. Issues of survival and resistance, the persistence of racism and white supremacy, and struggles for freedom, across countries and time periods, will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
An introductory survey of selected world civilizations from earliest times to approximately 1500 A.D., combining broad chronological coverage with intensive concentration on a small number of selected topics. Those social, political, economic and intellectual themes which have a direct bearing upon contemporary culture and society will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Sustainability
An introductory survey of selected world civilizations from the emergence of Western Europe as a center of world power. The impact of Western civilizations upon the development of other world civilizations and the contemporary emergence of a global perspective will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Innovation.
An examination of the complex relationship between human society and nature from early settlements to the present in what is now the United States. Important topics include the impact of human settlement, population growth, use of land and natural resources, the effects of industrialization, and the development of the conservation and environmental movements. ELO5 Histories - Sustainability, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
A work-study program under the direction of the professional staff of a recognized historical collection, historical society, or historical site. This program consists of on-the-job training in various areas as determined by the student’s interests and needs. Areas available for study include museum interpretation, administration, management and staffing, display, publicity, preservation and restoration methods, acquisitioning, archives, research, records management, and development and care of properties. NOTE: No more than 6 hours of the internship will be applied to the normal history and social science major requirements. The hours involved will count as resident credit.
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
A history of the peoples of the Americas, from their arrival in the western hemisphere through the 19th century. Topics to be addressed include Native American societies and states, the encounter with Europe, the long colonial period, and struggles for political and economic independence. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace
A history of the peoples of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, from the 19th century to the present. Topics to be addressed include struggles for political and economic independence, social movements, and the influence of North American and other outside powers. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace
A survey of experiences of women and definitions of gender, from prehistory to the present. Topics to be considered include relative equality of men and women in prehistory, the creation and persistence of patriarchy, women’s resistance to oppression and agency of women, and competing visions of women’s place in modern societies.
A survey of Middle Eastern civilization from the pre-Islamic Middle East to 1500 with attention to the origins and growth of Islam, the cultural and economic impact of the Islamic empire and the relationship with other regions. ELO5 Histories - Peace, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
A survey of the Middle East from 1500 to the present, beginning with the rise of the Ottoman and Safavid empires. Attention will be given to the growth of European interests in the Middle East and the response to that interest, as well as the making of modern states in the Middle East. ELO5 Histories - Peace, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
An exploration of the nature, uses, and methodologies of historical inquiry. Designed to help students with an interest in history to better understand the discipline. Students formulate historical questions, engage in basic research, review literature, and investigate the nature of historical interpretation. Prerequisite: 9 semester hours of history courses or instructor permission.
A survey of the personalities, events, and ideas which have shaped United States history from the earliest colonial settlements to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis upon the struggle for independence, the establishment of government under the Constitution, and the succeeding political, social, and economic movements that culminated in the Civil War. ELO5 Histories - Innovation
A survey of the personalities, events, and ideas that have shaped United States history since the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis upon the rise of the industrial United States, 20th century adjustments to prosperity, depression and world war, and the political, social, and economic changes since World War II. ELO5 Histories - Innovation, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
This course examines the causes and consequences of social, political, and economic inequalities in modern United States history. Through the examination of primary sources, students will engage in discussion of the cultural impact that inequality has had in shaping modern US society.
This course examines the root of sport in US history, from the colonial era to the present. Students will examine the relationship between organized sport and the social movements in the US, such as the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights and the Cold War.
A study of the history of the creation and evolving interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, with emphasis on important issues decided by the Supreme Court. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
The evolution of the office of the President, the recruitment of Presidents, and the various functions performed by the President. +This course is only offered every other year.
A history of the interaction of the United States with the people and governments of foreign nations from 1898 to the present. Topics include US imperial ambitions, the world wars, the Cold War, and US concerns with foreign nationalist movements. ELO5 Social Science - World Citizenship, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
A history of one of the world's most intractable conflicts; examines the origins of this conflict; the concept of Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel; the development of Palestinian nationalism; and outside forces-including Arab nationalism, colonialism and great power interests-that have had a major impact on the conflict.
Role and evolution of the armed forces in the United States from the Revolutionary War to the present. Emphasis on the major wars fought by the United States with an exploration of their causes and effects. Other topics will include the impact of technology and leadership on the armed forces and the relationship between the military and U.S. society.
The history of the United States since 1960 emphasizing social and cultural trends. +This course is only offered every other year.
A thematic study of the mingling of Germanic, Roman and Christian traditions in Europe from circa 300 through 1450. Major topics will include the establishment of Papal authority, the Crusades, Chivalry, and the Black Death, and the changes in political and religious authority throughout the period. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
An advanced study of the continuity, change and revolutions in Europe in the period between 1350 and 1815. Major topics will include the Hundred Years War, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, the Witch Hunts, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Empire. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
An advanced study of the national and international developments in Europe from the French Revolution to the present. Major topics will include the Industrial Revolution, the revolutions of 1848, the rise of nationalism, World Wars I and II, and de-colonization during the Cold War. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
A work-study program under the direction of the professional staff of a recognized historical collection, historical society, or historical site. This program consists of on-the-job training in various areas as determined by the student’s interests and needs. Areas available for study include museum interpretation, administration, management and staffing, display, publicity, preservation and restoration methods, acquisitioning, archives, research, records management, and development and care of properties. NOTE: No more than 6 hours of the internship will be applied to the normal history and social science major requirements. The hours involved will count as resident credit.
An advanced experiential course of study in which students propose, research, write and present a paper at a professional or student conference. Students will gain a detailed understanding of a particular topic in history as well as the process of abstract submissions, preparation of a paper of appropriate structure and length for professional acceptance, the process of presentation itself, and the following critique. Students will be encouraged to rework a paper that they have written for a previous history or political science class and earn 1 semester hour of credit. In exceptional circumstances, students may write a new paper and earn 3 semester hours of credit. Students need not be history majors to make a request to sign up for this course, but must work closely with a history or political science faculty member in order to prepare an appropriate conference paper. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours. No more than 6 hours may be applied to the history, political science, and social science major requirements. No credits earned through the Practicum may be applied to History area distribution requirements; all credits will be treated as electives. Additional fee required.
HIST3900 Advanced Topics in History 1-3 s.h. An in-depth study of topics selected from various areas of history such as Civil War, American West, American Constitutional History, Russian History, German History, etc. Course topics will be announced prior to each semester they are offered. May be repeated for credit.
HIST4900 Senior Seminar I (also POLS4900) 1 s.h. Designed to help the history majors professionalize their knowledge and experience through writing a scholarly paper. History majors only. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of "C" in HIST2400 Historical Inquiry. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.)
HIST4910 Senior Seminar II (also POLS4910) 3 s.h. The research, writing, and evaluation of the completed seminar paper. Prerequisite: HIST4900.
A history of the people of African descent in the Americas, including the United States, as well as the Caribbean, Central and South America. Issues of survival and resistance, the persistence of racism and white supremacy, and struggles for freedom, across countries and time periods, will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
An introductory survey of selected world civilizations from earliest times to approximately 1500 A.D., combining broad chronological coverage with intensive concentration on a small number of selected topics. Those social, political, economic and intellectual themes which have a direct bearing upon contemporary culture and society will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Sustainability
An introductory survey of selected world civilizations from the emergence of Western Europe as a center of world power. The impact of Western civilizations upon the development of other world civilizations and the contemporary emergence of a global perspective will be stressed. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Innovation.
An examination of the complex relationship between human society and nature from early settlements to the present in what is now the United States. Important topics include the impact of human settlement, population growth, use of land and natural resources, the effects of industrialization, and the development of the conservation and environmental movements. ELO5 Histories - Sustainability, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
A work-study program under the direction of the professional staff of a recognized historical collection, historical society, or historical site. This program consists of on-the-job training in various areas as determined by the student’s interests and needs. Areas available for study include museum interpretation, administration, management and staffing, display, publicity, preservation and restoration methods, acquisitioning, archives, research, records management, and development and care of properties. NOTE: No more than 6 hours of the internship will be applied to the normal history and social science major requirements. The hours involved will count as resident credit.
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
A history of the peoples of the Americas, from their arrival in the western hemisphere through the 19th century. Topics to be addressed include Native American societies and states, the encounter with Europe, the long colonial period, and struggles for political and economic independence. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace
A history of the peoples of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, from the 19th century to the present. Topics to be addressed include struggles for political and economic independence, social movements, and the influence of North American and other outside powers. ELO5 Histories - World Citizenship, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace
A survey of experiences of women and definitions of gender, from prehistory to the present. Topics to be considered include relative equality of men and women in prehistory, the creation and persistence of patriarchy, women’s resistance to oppression and agency of women, and competing visions of women’s place in modern societies.
A survey of Middle Eastern civilization from the pre-Islamic Middle East to 1500 with attention to the origins and growth of Islam, the cultural and economic impact of the Islamic empire and the relationship with other regions. ELO5 Histories - Peace, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
A survey of the Middle East from 1500 to the present, beginning with the rise of the Ottoman and Safavid empires. Attention will be given to the growth of European interests in the Middle East and the response to that interest, as well as the making of modern states in the Middle East. ELO5 Histories - Peace, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
An exploration of the nature, uses, and methodologies of historical inquiry. Designed to help students with an interest in history to better understand the discipline. Students formulate historical questions, engage in basic research, review literature, and investigate the nature of historical interpretation. Prerequisite: 9 semester hours of history courses or instructor permission.
A survey of the personalities, events, and ideas which have shaped United States history from the earliest colonial settlements to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis upon the struggle for independence, the establishment of government under the Constitution, and the succeeding political, social, and economic movements that culminated in the Civil War. ELO5 Histories - Innovation
A survey of the personalities, events, and ideas that have shaped United States history since the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis upon the rise of the industrial United States, 20th century adjustments to prosperity, depression and world war, and the political, social, and economic changes since World War II. ELO5 Histories - Innovation, GE3B Liberal Learning-Histories.
This course examines the causes and consequences of social, political, and economic inequalities in modern United States history. Through the examination of primary sources, students will engage in discussion of the cultural impact that inequality has had in shaping modern US society.
This course examines the root of sport in US history, from the colonial era to the present. Students will examine the relationship between organized sport and the social movements in the US, such as the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights and the Cold War.
A study of the history of the creation and evolving interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, with emphasis on important issues decided by the Supreme Court. ELO5 Histories - Equality, ELO5 Histories - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
The evolution of the office of the President, the recruitment of Presidents, and the various functions performed by the President. +This course is only offered every other year.
A history of the interaction of the United States with the people and governments of foreign nations from 1898 to the present. Topics include US imperial ambitions, the world wars, the Cold War, and US concerns with foreign nationalist movements. ELO5 Social Science - World Citizenship, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
A history of one of the world's most intractable conflicts; examines the origins of this conflict; the concept of Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel; the development of Palestinian nationalism; and outside forces-including Arab nationalism, colonialism and great power interests-that have had a major impact on the conflict.
Role and evolution of the armed forces in the United States from the Revolutionary War to the present. Emphasis on the major wars fought by the United States with an exploration of their causes and effects. Other topics will include the impact of technology and leadership on the armed forces and the relationship between the military and U.S. society.
The history of the United States since 1960 emphasizing social and cultural trends. +This course is only offered every other year.
A thematic study of the mingling of Germanic, Roman and Christian traditions in Europe from circa 300 through 1450. Major topics will include the establishment of Papal authority, the Crusades, Chivalry, and the Black Death, and the changes in political and religious authority throughout the period. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
An advanced study of the continuity, change and revolutions in Europe in the period between 1350 and 1815. Major topics will include the Hundred Years War, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, the Witch Hunts, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Empire. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
An advanced study of the national and international developments in Europe from the French Revolution to the present. Major topics will include the Industrial Revolution, the revolutions of 1848, the rise of nationalism, World Wars I and II, and de-colonization during the Cold War. Historical research and writing practices will be emphasized. +This course is only offered every other year.
A work-study program under the direction of the professional staff of a recognized historical collection, historical society, or historical site. This program consists of on-the-job training in various areas as determined by the student’s interests and needs. Areas available for study include museum interpretation, administration, management and staffing, display, publicity, preservation and restoration methods, acquisitioning, archives, research, records management, and development and care of properties. NOTE: No more than 6 hours of the internship will be applied to the normal history and social science major requirements. The hours involved will count as resident credit.
An advanced experiential course of study in which students propose, research, write and present a paper at a professional or student conference. Students will gain a detailed understanding of a particular topic in history as well as the process of abstract submissions, preparation of a paper of appropriate structure and length for professional acceptance, the process of presentation itself, and the following critique. Students will be encouraged to rework a paper that they have written for a previous history or political science class and earn 1 semester hour of credit. In exceptional circumstances, students may write a new paper and earn 3 semester hours of credit. Students need not be history majors to make a request to sign up for this course, but must work closely with a history or political science faculty member in order to prepare an appropriate conference paper. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours. No more than 6 hours may be applied to the history, political science, and social science major requirements. No credits earned through the Practicum may be applied to History area distribution requirements; all credits will be treated as electives. Additional fee required.
HIST3900 Advanced Topics in History 1-3 s.h. An in-depth study of topics selected from various areas of history such as Civil War, American West, American Constitutional History, Russian History, German History, etc. Course topics will be announced prior to each semester they are offered. May be repeated for credit.
HIST4900 Senior Seminar I (also POLS4900) 1 s.h. Designed to help the history majors professionalize their knowledge and experience through writing a scholarly paper. History majors only. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of "C" in HIST2400 Historical Inquiry. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.)
HIST4910 Senior Seminar II (also POLS4910) 3 s.h. The research, writing, and evaluation of the completed seminar paper. Prerequisite: HIST4900.
The history degree is a great choice for anyone seeking careers related to research or analysis, as any of these jobs can be found in government service with agencies like the CIA, DEA, FBI and Department of State. A History degree from Graceland University can help to prepare you for these careers:
…and many other exciting fields.
Employed in Field
47%
History graduates
Estimated Salary
$71,300
History graduates
99% of students on the Lamoni campus receive financial aid.
As you consider college, you want a simple, easy-to-understand formula designed to ensure that the one-of-a-kind Graceland Experience is within reach for your family. Undergraduate tuition includes our unique Transformational Leadership major, and we offer generous financial aid and scholarships to all of our students, making Graceland as affordable, if not moreso, than most public universities.
History majors have the opportunity for real-world experience with coursework that takes students through the process of presenting at a professional conference. It give students a well-rounded educational experience to prepare them for careers as regarded historians.
Graceland has an active History Club that makes periodic trips to area museums, as well as hosting campus events like movie nights and trivia challenges. This kind of out-of-classroom experience gets students excited about what they are learning and ready for real-world applications.
The history program is a great choice for anyone seeking careers related to research or analysis, as any of these jobs can be found in government service with agencies like the CIA, DEA, FBI and Department of State.
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