Social Science

There are no SOSC-prefixed courses.  Instead, courses for the social science major are drawn primarily from our HIST offerings, with additional coursework required in economics, geography, political science, and sociology. These course descriptions appear below.

HIST 1033 – U. S. History: 1492 to 1865 – 3 credit hours

Surveys the social, economic, cultural, and political development of the United States from the Age of Discovery through the Civil War. Focuses on topics such as early exploration, the American Revolution, the early development of American democracy, the Old South and slavery, Westward expansion, and the Civil War. Course rotation: Fall.

HIST 1043 – U.S. History: 1865 to Present – 3 credit hours

Surveys the social, economic, cultural, and political development of the United States from the Reconstruction Era to the recent past. Focuses on topics such as the world wars, the Great Depression and New Deal, the Cold War, Vietnam, and Watergate. Course rotation: Spring.

HIST 2233 – World Civilization I: Prehistory to 1500 – 3 credit hours

Studies the development of civilization in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas down to the age of European colonialism. Primary emphasis is given to the unique social and cultural characteristics of each civilization. Course rotation: Fall.

HIST 2243 – World Civilization II: 1500 to Present – 3 credit hours

Studies the development of civilization throughout the world from the beginning of the 16th century to the present. The evolution of cultures and the progress of major social, economic, political, and intellectual trends are studied as a means of understanding the modern world. Course rotation: Spring.

HIST 3033 – Colonial America – 3 credit hours

Examines American political, social, cultural, and economic development to 1776. Includes topics such as early exploration, Native American contact, race, and the imperial relationship. Prerequisite: HIST 1033 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3053 – Age of Jackson – 3 credit hours

Studies the Age of Andrew Jackson from political and social/cultural perspectives. Special attention is given to the rise of Jacksonian democracy and its impact on American politics. Prerequisite: HIST 1033 or instructor’s permission..

HIST 3063 – A History of the Old South – 3 credit hours

Examines the social, economic, cultural, and political development of the Antebellum South. Focuses on topics such as slavery, the pro-slavery argument, the development of Southern nationalism, and plantation life. Prerequisite: HIST 1033 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3073 – Civil War & Reconstruction – 3 credit hours

Examines the Civil War Era of American history. Focuses on the sectional conflict preceding secession, the political and military aspects of the Civil War, and the political and social issues involved in Reconstruction. Prerequisites: HIST 1033 and HIST 1043 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3093 – Diplomatic History of the United States – 3 credit hours

Focuses on the major problems and issues in American foreign policy from independence to the present. Special attention is given to the isolationist tradition, expansionism, American imperialism, the United States' entry into the world wars, and the Cold War. Prerequisite: HIST 1033 or HIST 1043 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3143 – Women in the American Experience – 3 credit hours

Studies the social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping women’s lives from the pre-Colonial period to the present. This course will focus on the variety of women’s experiences and examine the intersections of race, class, and ethnicity. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above.

HIST 3153 – American Revolution & Early Republic – 3 credit hours

Examines American development during the critical 1763-1815 period. Focus will be on the causes and impact of the American Revolution as well as on the ideological, political, and constitutional conflict involved in the subsequent creation of the American Republic. Prerequisite: HIST 1033 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3163 – America in World War & Cold War – 3 credit hours

Examines American involvement in World War II and the Cold War. Special attention is given to the origins of conflict, consequences, and historical continuities. Prerequisite: HIST 1043 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3213 – Ancient & Medieval Europe – 3 credit hours

Traces the development of Europe from its foundations in ancient Greece through the medieval and renaissance periods. Major topics will include the political and philosophical contributions of the ancient Greeks, the Roman Republic and Empire, the influences of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, medieval social and cultural structures, and the Renaissance. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3223 – History of Christianity to the Reformation – 3 credit hours

Examines the history of Christianity in the ancient, medieval, and early modern world. Special attention is given to Christianity’s Hebrew and Greco-Roman background, the New Testament, the development of theology, the medieval church, and the Reformation. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3253 – The Reformation – 3 credit hours

Examines the economic and political conditions, the popular movements, and the theological controversies that led to the religious revolutions of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Europe. Attention is focused on the lives and ideas of the leading reformers. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3273 – Tudor & Stuart Britain – 3 credit hours

An introduction to British politics, society, economy, religion, and culture during the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. Special attention will be paid to the unique cultures (English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh) that comprise the British Isles. Prerequisite: HIST 2243 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3303 – Modern Europe Since 1789 – 3 credit hours

Examines major aspects of Western European development since the French Revolution. Prerequisite: HIST 2243 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3433 – International History & Film – 3 credit hours

Explores the relationship between history and film, in particular, how film can enhance one’s understanding of the past. Incorporating written texts, emphasis will be placed on how films both illuminate and conceal basic historical truths and how the medium’s demands can contribute to such ends. Through related critical thinking exercises, students will work toward developing visual literacy. Prerequisite: HIST 2233 or HIST 2243 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3453 – A Cultural History of Latin America – 3 credit hours

Covers the cultural history of Latin America from before the conquest era to the present with a special focus on the art, literature, foodways, and music of men and women in Latin America. Prerequisite: HIST 2243 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3633 – Women in World History – 3 credit hours

Studies the historical, social, cultural, economic and political forces shaping women’s lives throughout history. Focuses on the variety of women’s experiences and examines the intersections of race, class, and ethnicity. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above or instructor’s permission.

HIST 3703 – Historiography: The Historian’s Craft – 3 credit hours

Writing and speaking intensive course to introduce history majors to the study of what history is and what a historian does, including theory, methodology, research techniques, ethics of the historical profession, and forms of presentation. Prerequisite: HIST 1033 or HIST 1043 or HIST 2233 or HIST 2243 and sophomore standing or instructor’s permission.

HIST 38X3 – Special Topics in U.S. History – 3 credit hours

Examines a thematic topic in U.S. history that may fall outside the range of listed courses. Special Topics will be offered on an irregular basis, and topics will vary according to instructor. This course may be repeated for credit as long as the topics are different. Prerequisites: HIST 1033 and HIST 1043 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 38X3 – Special Topics in non-U.S. History – 3 credit hours

Examines a thematic topic in non-U.S. history that may fall outside the range of listed courses. Special Topics will be offered on an irregular basis, and topics will vary according to instructor. This course may be repeated for credit as long as the topics are different. Prerequisites: HIST 2233 and HIST 2243 or instructor’s permission.

HIST 4003 – Colloquium in European History – 3 credit hours

A discussion and reading intensive course centered around the historical literature relating to a particular issue or period of European history. Topics will be announced in advance by the instructor. Possible topics may include women, medieval and early modern witchcraft, propaganda, Renaissance monarchy, medieval religions, etc. This course may be repeated once for credit as long as the topics are different. Prerequisite: HIST 2233, HIST 2243, and junior standing or above or instructor’s permission.

HIST 4013 – Colloquium in American History – 3 credit hours

A discussion and reading intensive course centered around the historical literature relating to a particular issue or period of American history. Topics will be announced in advance by the instructor. Possible subject may include democracy in early America, slavery, race, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, etc. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above.

HIST 4353 – The History & Literature of Empire – 3 credit hours

Intensive study of the history and literature of imperialism, spanning the 16th to 20th centuries. This course utilizes an interdisciplinary methodology, adopting a dual focus on the historical, sociological, and political conditions of empire and the literature representing such contexts. Students critically analyze the intersection between historical events and the individual experience of European colonialism in various parts of the world, including Africa, South America, the Indian subcontinent, and the Caribbean. Use of secondary sources and research writing will be included. This course emphasizes intellectual development, critical analysis, cultural literacy, and intercultural and global awareness. The course can either be team-taught or be taught solely by English or history faculty members. Also listed as ENGL 4353. Prerequisite: ENGL 2203 or HIST 2233 or HIST 2243 or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Alternate spring.

HIST 4903 – History Seminar – 3 credit hours

A capstone course which emphasizes historical research and writing, intensive reading, discussion of selected historical topics in a seminar setting. Prerequisites: Senior standing or instructor’s permission and history or social science major.

ECON 2033 – Microeconomics – 3 credit hours

A study of supply, demand, price, seller-market power, profit, consumer choice, specialization, efficiency, domestic and international trades, and distribution of income. The role of middlemen, speculators, and the government in the economy. Current economic controversies are discussed. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and MATH 1013 or a minimum ACT mathematics subscore of 26 or equivalent.

ECON 2043 – Macroeconomics – 3 credit hours

A study of inflation, unemployment, national income, booms and busts, government budget deficit, money, monetary and fiscal policies, specialization, efficiency, trade, currency exchange, and balance of payment with other nations. Prerequisites: ECON 2033 and MATH 1013 or a minimum ACT mathematics subscore of 26 or equivalent.

GEOG 1003 – World Regional Geography – 3 credit hours

Introduction to the various cultural and political regions of the world. Emphasis is placed on the physical aspects of each geographic region and upon the diversity within and between each region of our global society. Course rotation: Fall and spring.

POSC 1003 – U.S. Government – 3 credit hours

Introductory survey of the American political system, including study of the philosophical basis of American government, the three branches of the federal government, federal-state relations, civil rights, political parties, campaigns, the role of the media, and lobby groups. Course rotation: All semesters.

SOCI 1003 – Principles of Sociology – 3 credit hours

Introduction to the structure of social life, culture, types of group interaction, social institutions, stratification, power relationships, and analysis of the process of social and cultural change. Course rotation: All semesters.