History program

HIS 410

HIS 337 La Crosse Wisconsin in World History This course explores the connections between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the wider world from 1840s to present. At a regional scale, students investigate how the story of La Crosse's origins and expansion fits into the broader history of the state of Wisconsin, the Mississippi River Valley, and the Midwest. At a global scale, we connect La Crosse and Wisconsin's story to long-distance and long-time frame processes including long-distance migration, industrialization, warfare (e.g., WWI, WWII, and Cold War), and demands for social and economic reform (e.g., Progressive Era, Civil Rights movement, and the student protest movement). Offered Alternate Years.

HIS 378 The American West This course focuses on the history of the Trans-Mississippi West from European contact to the late 20th century with a focus on the 19th and 20th centuries. Topics covered include the federal West, settlement, immigration, extractive industries, agriculture, aridity, the environment, and Native Americans. Offered Occasionally.

HIS 392 History Through Film This course uses film, television, or similar media as a primary or secondary source in the study of history of a region, nation, or historical theme. Students study the history of peoples, nations and cultures through film, rather than studying the history of film itself. This course examines the perils and promise of using film as a source, briefly discusses film criticism and terminology, and includes historical context for the films in the course. Students should expect to read and write about film criticism, history, and historiography. Lect. 2, Lab 2. Offered Occasionally.

HIS 371 Knowing the Oceans: A History of Human Understanding of the Ocean Environment This course explores historical attempts to access and understand the two thirds of our planet often ignored by land-focused histories. The course follows a roughly chronological path, delving into a variety of different - and changing - ways of knowing, including religious, experiential, and scientific, and it examines the various people and groups whose interests led them to and beneath the sea, as well as the various individuals and organizations whose patronage provided the means to access it. Along the way, the course considers these investigators' complicated relationships with technology, which allowed, controlled, and shaped access to and understanding of the oceans. The goal is a more complex understanding of the place of the three-dimensional, global ocean in global scientific, technological, cultural, and environmental history. Offered Occasionally.

HIS 414 Ireland and the World: 1500-present The history of Ireland has long held the imagination of people throughout the English-speaking world. The written record of the so-called "Land of Scholars and Saints" is indicative of the Irish people's literacy and is reflective of the great deal of interest paid to its history. Ireland's history is one filled with tragedy, complexity, redemption, revolution and rebellion, nationalism, intellectualism, and imperialism. Weaving through this historical narrative is the constant struggle regarding sectarianism, matters of gender and sexuality, economy, emigration, violence, and ethnicity. The relative smallness of Ireland allows the historian - and history student - to examine a wide variety of themes without sacrificing any of the nation's narrative. It is the overarching goal of this course to explore all these themes while analyzing the narrative of modern Ireland. Offered Alternate Years.

HIS 361 Israeli-Palestinian Conflict This course examines the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Students focus on its origins, the actors involved, and key social and political factors that have shaped it. Offered Occasionally.

HIS 230 Survey of Ancient and Medieval Worlds An historical survey of the civilizations of West Asia, North Africa, and Europe from the advent of urbanization in 4000 BC to the beginning of the Renaissance (ca. 1300 AD). Topics discussed will be the nature and status of women, ethnic and religious minorities, the importance of geography and technology. Special emphasis will be placed on studying historical themes that have survived to the present day. Offered Spring.

HIS 250 Survey of Asia This course introduces students to various aspects of Asian history with special focus on the Modern period (i.e., post-1800). In particular, students compare the political, social and economic structures as well as the religious/philosophical underpinnings of Asian countries including China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. Offered Alternate Years.

HIS 308 U.S. Reform Movements In this course, students learn about reform movements in the U. S. which happen in waves around dramatic events such as a compelling story, shocking photograph, expose, scandal, investigative journalism, or the force of a charismatic person. Students also explore reforms that result from a slow evolution of policy and politics, legal changes, institutional bureaucracy, or data-driven decisions. Students discuss who initiated reforms, what their motives might have been, and whose lives were intentionally or unintentionally affected by reform. Students investigate how reform movements have shaped current American policies. Offered Alternate Years.

HIS 320 Careers in Public History This course is an introduction to the careers of public historians. The class covers such topics as cultural resource management, public policy, museums, oral history, archives, etc. As part of this class students have the opportunity to meet with professionals in the field which provides them with a sense of the various careers they may choose to pursue. This class also provides networking opportunities for future employment in public history. Offered Fall.