History

The History curriculum most directly reflects and enhances intellectual inquiry and explores the past in an effort to illuminate the question of what it means to be human. Careful, impartial, and honest examination of the human story over time contributes to our understanding and appreciation of the collective experience of humankind.

The University offers liberal education “for living, and making a living,” and those electing to study history typically acquire preparation for an enriched life experience. Students who choose to major or minor in history will enhance their abilities to read and think critically and to discuss and write in a logical manner. Such skills are highly prized in the professional world. Many of our graduates complete the history curriculum in preparation for careers in teaching or law. Some have chosen to continue their studies at the graduate level, and others have gone on to diverse careers in the public and private sectors.

 

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a major in History will

• Articulate and analyze significant historical issues.

• Synthesize historical information and assess relevance to present-day issues and concerns.

• Analyze and evaluate cultural diversity with reference to historical connections and the communalities of the human experience.

• Analyze and evaluate the historical origins and development of a broad spectrum of human institutions, ideas, values, and beliefs.

Course-name and number	CR
HST 101 - History of Civilization I	3
HST 102 - History of Civilization II	3
HST 203 - United States History I	3
HST 204 - United States History II	3
HST 360 - Montana and the West	3
HST 499 - Senior Research Paper	3
Approved electives at the 300 level	15
Total credits for major	33

 

Download Your History Degree Planning Sheet

 

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a minor in History will

• Assess the cause and effect relationships that that inform and condition the human experience and reflect our shared humanity.

• Acquire knowledge and understanding of historical origins and cause and effect relationships.

• Acquire knowledge of a spectrum of social, political, economic, cultural, ideological, and religious phenomena in the context of their historical development and impact through time.

• Identify different historical interpretations and perspectives of the ways in which the past illuminates the present.

Course-name and number	CR
HST 101 - History of Civilization I	3
HST 102 - History of Civilization II	3
HST 203 - United States History I	3
HST 204 - United States History II	3
HST 360 - Montana and the West	3
Approved electives	6
Total credits for minor	21

 

Download Your History Minor Planning Sheet

 

HST 101 History of Civilization I (through the 16th Century). A survey of the major political, economic, and cultural developments of western civilization from pre-history through the Renaissance and Reformation. Expected to be offered: Fall semesters 3 credits

HST 102 History of Civilization II (from the 17th Century to the Present). Continuation of HST 101; examines political, economic, and cultural developments of western civilization from the 17th century to the present. Students need not have taken HST 101. Expected to be offered: Spring semesters 3 credits

HST 203 United States History I (to 1865). A survey of American history from the era of discovery through the Civil War. Expected to be offered: Fall semesters 3 credits

HST 204 United States History II (from 1865 to the Present). Continues the survey of American history to the present. May be taken whether or not students have completed HST 203 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters 3 credits

HST 230 World and Regional Geography. Fundamental concepts necessary for geographic thinking. Land formations, weather and climate patterns, regional contrasts and interrelationships. Introduction to cultural and physical elements of geography, which influence and identify various areas of the world. Expected to be offered: Spring semesters 3 credits

HST 321 Ancient History. An analysis of the ancient civilizations of the Near East, Greece, and Rome; emphasis on the institutional and cultural developments that shaped western civilization. Prerequisite: HST 101 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, even years 3 credits

HST 322 Medieval History. Western Europe between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. Emphasis on the feudal character of society and the political, economic, and religious institutions and their development. Prerequisite: HST 101 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, odd years 3 credits

HST 342 The American Civil War. History of this defining event including origins, meaning, the developing conflict from Sumter through Appomattox, and the era of Reconstruction. Prerequisite: HST 203 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, odd years 3 credits

HST 345 The Constitution. The constitution: its background, the document itself, and major judicial interpretations in their historical, political, and social contexts. Prerequisite: HST 203, HST 204 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, odd years 3 credits

HST 360 Montana and the West. Examines Montana's origins and development in the context of the American West from the pre-contact era into the twenty-first century. Prerequisite: HST 203, HST 204 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, even years 3 credits

HST 367 Renaissance and Reformation. An examination of the intellectual, social, political, and religious character of Europe in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. Prerequisite: HST 101, HST 102 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, even years 3 credits

HST 390 Special Topics in 19 th Century History. Prerequisite: HST 102 Expected to be offered: Offered intermittently 3 credits HST 391 Special Topics in 20 th Century History. Prerequisite: HST 102 Expected to be offered: Offered intermittently 3 credits

HST 495 Internship. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor 1-15 credits HST 499 Senior Research Project. In their senior year history majors conduct research in appropriate primary and secondary source materials and produce an article-length study under the direction of a member of the history faculty. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters 3 credits