Section 1—Hugh Wilford
The U.S. and the Cold War—This section will draw on recent scholarship and newly available primary sources to examine in detail the causes and consequences of the United States’ entry into the Cold War. Discussion will focus in particular on the relationship between foreign relations and domestic political culture, highlighting such factors as ideology, gender, and race in the shaping of America’s place in the Cold War world. It is assumed that participants have had two upper-division courses in U.S. history as well as having completed History 301 and 302. This seminar rests upon student discussion of readings, in-class oral presentations relating to the research project and short papers, and the research paper.
Section 2—Andy Jenks
The Idea of European Modernity (1789-2000)—This section will focus on the idea of European modernity (1789-2000) and its political, scientific and technological manifestations. We will examine the construction of European identities through various social and technological engineering schemes. Students will have broad leeway to choose topics within the course theme.
Section 3—Michiko Takeuchi
War and Occupation: The objective of this seminar is to examine the U.S. Occupation of Japan (1945-1952) with special attention to the themes of American and Japanese imperialism, race, class, gender, sexuality, sex, Cold War, and memory. We will start by asking the fundamental question: "What is [military] occupation?" Along with the discussion of major scholarship on the U.S. Occupation of Japan, students will learn theoretical concepts and methodologies that shaped historical writings on war and occupation.
Section 5—Tim Keirn
Empires in World History since 1500—This section of History 499 will be conducted as a seminar that examines recent historical literature pertaining to empires in the early modern and modern world. Both Eurasian land-based and Western maritime empires will be considered. The situation and significance of empires in the ‘new’ imperial and world historiographies will be emphasized. Through reading, discussion, and research a number of themes will be addressed. These themes include: the comparative analysis of the rise and fall of empires; the colonial cultural encounter; gender and empire; nationalism and colonialism; empire, neocolonialism and globalization; and the legacies of empire in a postcolonial world. This section of History 499 is open to students concentrating in Latin American, Modern European, and World History.
A message from Dr. Nancy Quam-Wickham, Chair, Department of History:
Dear Students,
Many of you have concerns about the Provost's message and what it means to you as a History major. I write to clarify how the History Department will help you succeed in the major under these new requirements. Please read below:
The Budget Emergency and What it Means for Students -- Questions and Answers:
Will I get the classes I need to graduate? Yes, we in the History Department are committed to ensuring that students are able to take the classes they need to graduate. In addition to the posting of Fall 2012 classes, a tentative schedule for Spring 2013 will be posted in the hallway outside of the Main Office in FO2 right after spring break. Please note, however, that classes with low enrollments will be cut from the Fall schedule in early August. Make sure you register for the courses you need the most.
Where do I get information about my progress in the major and what courses I need? We cannot stress enough the importance of seeing one of our friendly, helpful academic advisors every semester. Don't rely on the "DPR" (degree progress report) on MyCSULB. That report is generated by a machine and makes mistakes all the time! If you have questions about your program, please see an advisor. Dr. Ali Igmen and Dr. Linda Alkana are the undergraduate advisors this term and have regular advising hours. If you are interested in the Social Science Credential Program and how to "double count" courses in the major and credential waiver program, see Dr. Eileen Luhr. Dr. Luhr, Dr. Igmen and Dr. Caitlin Murdock will have advising hours during the summer. I will also be available during the summer for advising.
What does the Budget Emergency mean for faculty? Will my favorite professor be around next year? For the most part, we anticipate no great changes in faculty assignments to classes. The University has specific criteria for employment, which means that we hire only those instructors who are fully qualified to teach the courses to which they are assigned. We anticipate that the Fall 2012 schedule will not change dramatically. Some classes will undoubtedly be canceled if enrollments are lower than we've projected. But overall, we are planning no changes in the schedule at this time.
How will the 13 unit registration restriction affect me? First, don't catastrophize this new restriction -- this is simply a means for the University to better manage student enrollments. It's a method that many universities -- like all the UCs -- have used for years. Here's how it works: During the first registration period (beginning in April for continuing students), you are permitted to register for up to 13 units. Choose those classes that you know you want to take, but don't register for HIST 302 or HIST 499. (See below.) Once the first registration periods are over (for upper-division students, in mid-July after all transfer students have registered), we will have a better idea of what classes students need and want and which ones will need to be canceled. What this means is that there won't be classes that are canceled throughout the summer, as in the past. Instead, in early August, any classes that don't have "robust" enrollments (tentatively, 20 students for an upper-division non-core class) will be canceled. This way, all students will be at a level playing field when it comes to finding a class if one you registered for has been canceled. And you won't be surprised by repeated class cancelations throughout the summer -- as a few of you have experienced in the past.
You say don't register for History 302 or History 499. Why? We're mindful of students' worries about getting into our core courses. We have plenty of History 301 sections scheduled for Fall, so there should be no problems getting into a HIST 301 class. To ensure that upper-division majors get the other courses they need, we've put registration restrictions on all of our HIST 302 and HIST 499 sections. They are now listed "by instructor consent." By doing this, we've freed up your ability to register for other courses in the major and in any other major or minor you have during the first registration period. You can then register for HIST 302 or HIST 499 during the second registration period in August. (It's like we've saved those courses for you!)
If you are eligible to take HIST 302 -- i.e., you've completed HIST 301 with a grade of C or better, please stop by the History Department after Spring Break and sign up for a History 302 class. Yes, you will be able indicate what section you prefer. We will then issue permits for those sections in July, which you will be able to use during your second class registration period in August. We anticipate that we'll be able to accommodate you in HIST 302. You may not get your first priority section, but you should get a seat in a section that works with your schedule.
What about History 499? We had planned a new registration process for all History 499 sections beginning in Fall, even before the Provost issued his budget emergency announcement. We will intiate a process in which students will visit with the professors scheduled to teach a HIST 499 section. We will schedule these meetings for late April or early May. At the end of these meetings, students will fill out a section preference form. We will then use those forms to match students with HIST 499 sections. This way, we will avoid the problem we've faced every semester since HIST 499 became a requirement: Students who register for a HIST 499 section but don't have the preparation (i.e., don't have the proper field), and then take a seat away from a fully prepared student. While these "meetings" may sound like a pain, just remember this process is not a job interview! We're trying to enhance your educational experience and make the HIST 499 course more meaningful for all students. This course is, after all, the culminating experience in your program. You should be able to get the most benefit out of it.
We will then issue permits for the HIST 499 sections in July, so that you can register for the course during your second registration period in August.
What about the 16 unit limit? I'm trying to graduate early and had planned to take 18 units each term to do so. At this time, we don't know if that 16 unit load limitation will hold. If it does, there are opportunities to still graduate early. While it's expensive, we have many classes, including HIST 301, scheduled for summer. If you still have some lower-division GE courses to take, or need to complete the social science credential waiver program lower-division courses, try enrolling concurrently at one of the local community colleges. Students who study abroad can often take an extra course or two, depending upon their study abroad institutions, which then may count toward our major requirements. There are ways -- think creatively, and be sure to ask advisors for help!
Final words: We'll keep you informed about how the History Department is responding to these new restrictions, limitations, and budget realities. Please be sure to read any messages from the Chair. And check our Departmental website often!
Dr. Houri Berberian will be on leave from the Department of History for the Spring 2012 semester. In her absense, Dr. C. Murdock will be acting Graduate advisor and Dr. Ali Igmen will be acting Director of Middle Eastern Studies.
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Remembering Dr. Sharon SieversWith great affection and sadness, the Department of History mourns and honors Dr. Sharon Sievers. Please click on the link below for the obituary written by Dr. Nancy Quam-Wickham: Donations in Sharon’s memory may be made to the Sievers Scholars Program, c/o Department of History, CSULB, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840 |
