Biology - Major in Biology Program

Required courses:
HIS 101 Foundations of History and Social Science

This course provides a foundation for the study of history and social science. Students will learn about the history and geography of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with particular attention to its politics and culture. The class will also cover the career options for history majors. Attention will be paid to how the issue of climate change and how it affects how people interact with their natural and built environment. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

HIS 300 The Historian's Craft

An introduction to the basics of historical research and writing. The most important goal of the course is to help students produce a clearly written research paper, with footnotes and a bibliography. A primary source paper and other writing assignments will prepare the students for the achievement of this goal. Class discussion will revolve around analysis of various types of primary sources, secondary sources, journal articles, issues of interpretation, and research methods. The course will also include several research trips to libraries, archives, historical societies, or local history collections. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisites: At least two 100-level history courses; or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

Two from the following:
HIS 103 World History I

Survey of world history from the beginnings of human civilization to ca. 1500. The course is organized geographically and chronologicvally and examines the cultures and civilizations of Eurasia, the Mediterranean world, Africa, and the Americas. Major themes of the course include empire-building, spread on religions, and cross-cultural contact. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry,Human Diversity. 3 credits.

HIS 105 World History II

This survey of modern world history (ca. 1450 to the present) explores key developments in the formation of the modern world. Through primary and secondary sources, the course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how ideas, wars, trade, diseases, and revolutions have shaped the modern world. Examining key concepts such as imperialism, colonialism, nationalism, and globalization, the course encourages students to analyze contemporary global and domestic issues from diverse cultural perspectives, and to engage in ongoing reflections about their own culture and other cultures. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry,Human Diversity. 3 credits.

HIS 125 United States History to 1877

The course provides an overview of US history from European colonization and conquest through the end of Reconstruction. Particular attention is paid to the issue of slavery through the Civil War and efforts to reform political and economic institutions after. Whether African Americans were property or citizens tested the republic's ideals and durability. How this period is represented in the news, popular culture and other forms of public history such as cinema are reviewed. Fulfills requirement: Civic Engagement. Fulfills requirement: Civic Engagement. 3 credits.

HIS 126 With Justice for All? U.S. History from 1860

Since the Civil War, Americans have changed their conception of who belongs to "We the People." Moreover, we have also reconsidered the appropriate role of government for citizens and the world. This course reviews these controversies in the past and present, including how they are reflected in news, politics, public history, and cinema. Fulfills requirement: Civic Engagement Fulfills requirement: Civic Engagement. 3 credits.

Two from the following:
HIS 251 Topics in Political History

This course will examine specific topics in political history throughout the world. Topics include: How Fascism Works; Democracy Rising; the Rise of Authoritarianism. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry,Oral Communication. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. 3 credits.

HIS 253 Topics in Comparative History

This seminar will focus on topics in comparative history and politics with a focus on European, Asian, and/or African history. Topics in Comparative Politics currently explores the historical and political formation of the modern Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. By examining key concepts such as Orientalism, colonialism, and political Islam, this course aims to provide students with an improved understanding of modern MENA. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry,Human Diversity. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with POL 210)

HIS 352 Advanced Topics in History

This seminar will focus on advanced topics in history. Potential topics may include Economic History, the History of Political Ideas, the History of Science; etc . How this topic is represented in the news, popular culture and other forms of public history such as cinema are reviewed. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. 3 credits.