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History
abroad and domestic rebellions and revolutions.
H391 Chinese and Chinese-American Films as Cultural Makers 3 credits
This is designed to assist students to gain a general knowledge of Chinese history from the feudal
dynasties to the present, to stimulate students in thinking clearly and critically about Chinese cultural
values, to provide students with fundamental facts and documents of the development of Chinese
society through the eyes of several Chinese movie directors, and to develop students’ oral and writing
communication skills. Specifically, this course investigates how films by such directors as Zhang Yimou
and Chen Kaige, and stars such as Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee and Jet Li have shaped Western perceptions
of China as well as encoded Chinese culture and history. Beginning with a comparison of The Emperor
and the Assassin and Hero, students study how Chinese history is interpreted from two divergent points
of view and representative of key Confucian and Daoism concepts. A study of Ang Lee’s films offer
the opportunity to investigate how a Taiwan-born, American director has been able to reshape and
recondition both Chinese and American cultural icons. Prerequisite: H390.
H470 Senior Thesis I 2 credits
This course guides history and history/social science majors through the research and writing of their
senior theses. It builds on H270 and H370 as it guides students through the finalization of their research
topic, the formulation of an argumentative thesis, the identification of relevant primary sources and
secondary literature, the proper application of relevant research methods, the proper usage of Chicago
Manual of Style annotation and bibliography, and the writing and organization of a thirty-page research
paper. Prerequisites: H270, H370, and senior History or History/Social Studies majors; co-requisite: H471.
H471 Senior Thesis II 1 credit
Students who take this course work closely and individually with their senior thesis project director
while simultaneously taking H470 with their fellow history and history/social science majors. Together
with the project director, students will finalize their research topic, formulate an argumentative thesis,
identify relevant primary sources and secondary literature, apply relevant research methods, properly
use Chicago Manual of Style annotation and bibliography, and write a thirty-page research paper.
Prerequisites: H270, H370, and senior History or History/Social Studies majors; co-requisite: H470.
H472 The History Professional 1 credit
This course prepares graduating history and history/social science seniors for presenting their senior
theses at the annual Student History Research Symposium (required) and any other symposia or
conferences at which they seek to present their work; improving their senior theses should they wish
to do so, especially if they seek to publish it; writing a resume and developing job interview skills that
properly reflect the skills and accomplishments particular to a history or history/social science major;
understanding the various career paths history and history/social science majors can take. Prerequisites:
H270, H370, H470, H471, and senior History or History/Social Studies majors.
H496/497 Internship 1-17 credits
This course provides supervised “hands on” work experiences at institutions such as historic sites,
museums, and state or national historical societies.
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