Studies the cultural and historical traditions of the major geographical regions of the pre-modern world up to 1492: Greece and Rome, South and Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Emphasis will be placed on such factors as international trade routes, the spread of ideas and religions, and the formation of state-systems that became the basis of the post-1492 world.

Provides an introductory historical survey of the major events, ideas and people which have shaped world civilizations since 1500, the beginning of the modern era of history. Takes a comparative, interdisciplinary, and non-Eurocentric approach to historical analysis emphasizing diversity and global awareness.

Prepares new history and political science majors to make the most of their college years academically, professionally, and personally. Students will learn about the norms and expectations of history and political science majors and how to thrive in the classes that are offered by each. Explores the career prospects most often available to majors in history and political science and discusses the skills and knowledge necessary to take advantage of these professional opportunities.

Focuses on the development of American political, economic, social, philosophical, and cultural values and institutions from Colonial beginnings up to 1877. Sufficient emphasis will be placed on the Massachusetts and Federal Constitutions to meet the state requirement.

Focuses on the development of American political, economic, social, philosophical, and cultural values and institutions from 1877 to the present. Sufficient emphasis will be placed on the Massachusetts and Federal Constitutions to meet the state requirement.

Introduces theories, terms and past and contemporary topics in human geography, including how cultures are born and change, how groups of people organize themselves and their activities both spatially and politically, how patterns of activities emerge and change across time and space, and how we interact with our environments. Students in this course will explore demographic, economic, and social trends and issues across the globe in their geographic and historical context.

Introduces theories, terms and past and contemporary topics in human geography, including how cultures are born and change, how groups of people organize themselves and their activities both spatially and politically, how patterns of activities emerge and change across time and space, and how we interact with our environments. Students in this course will explore demographic, economic, and social trends and issues across the globe in their geographic and historical context.

Using a "lives and times" approach, this course will introduce to students some men and women whose lives reflect major social, cultural, political and economic developments in the modern history of East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam). These individuals were uniquely positioned to influence history when their society experienced profound transition and transformation through imperialism, industrialization, wars, and social conflicts.

Using a variety of case studies from European and world history, this course concentrates on increasing students' understanding of how conflict and scientific innovation have combined to change societies. Students will research and analyze a broad range of source materials to develop their ability to construct arguments and interpretations and express them logically and persuasively in speech and writing. Possible topics include atomic energy, medicine, transportation, and weaponry.

Explores selected periods in American history using elaborate, role playing historical games based in the American past. This course seeks to draw students into engaging the past, developing their understanding and analysis of historical sources, and improving skills in speaking, writing, and leadership. The games covered in the course will vary from semester to semester.

Explores the ways that we remember the past. Students will engage with artifacts, museums, public symbols like monuments, and events meaningful to their own histories. They will work with local organizations to learn new methods of preserving history and presenting it to public audiences. Using a variety of case studies, this collaborative course will confront debates about the politics of history and explore how diverse audiences interact with history and historical memory.

Explores the history of superheroes and how comic books have helped to reflect and shape American society and popular culture since the 1930s. This course draws on the vast collection of comic book superheroes from Marvel Comics as well as readings from scholarly articles, books, and other resources.

Introduces the discipline of history, with emphasis in the following areas: how to find, analyze, assess, and utilize primary and secondary source materials; understanding historiography - the study of how history is "made"; the possibilities of digital and public history; how to create written work in upper-level courses that exhibits sound scholarship and meets professional citation standards.

Focuses on either the histories of particular European nations or a chronological period, issue or theme in European history. Emphasis will be placed on a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter as well as developing skills in reading historical sources, research, writing and oral communication. Possible topics include: Europe in the 20th century; History of Britain; History of Russia; History of France; Ancient Greece & Rome.

Focuses on either the histories of particular Asian nations or a chronological period, issue or theme in Asian history. Emphasis will be placed on a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, as well as developing skills in reading historical sources, research, writing and oral communication. Possible topics include: History of Japan; History of India; Chinese Culture and Civilization; and the United States and China.

Focuses on a chronological period, issue, or theme in the history of the United States. Emphasis will be placed on a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, as well as developing skills in reading historical sources, research, writing and oral communication. Possible topics include: The Civil War; Immigration and Ethnicity; The Civil Rights Movement; US & WWII; New England History.

Focuses on either the histories of particular nations or a chronological period, issue or theme in Latin American history. Emphasis will be placed on a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, as well as developing skills in reading historical sources, research, writing and oral communication. Possible topics include: The United States and Latin America; History of Mexico.

Focuses on either the histories of particular nations in the Middle East or a chronological period, issue, or theme in the Muslim World. Emphasis will be placed on a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter as well as developing skills in reading historical sources, research, writing and oral communication. Possible topics include: The Middle East & the Modern World; The Muslim World.

Focuses on either the histories of particular African nations or a chronological period, issue or theme in African history. Emphasis will be placed on a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter as well as developing skills in reading historical sources, research, writing, and oral communication. Possible topics include: History of Africa; African History in Literature and Film.

Focuses on a project, issue, or theme in public history. Emphasis will be placed on completing a collaborative project at MCLA or in the northern Berkshire community as well as developing skills in interpreting historical sources, research, writing, and oral communication. Possible topics include: North Adams History Harvest; Civil War Memory; The Holocaust and World War II; Women in the Berkshires.

Examines a particular era in depth. The course will be based around reading and discussion of a variety of historical works with the instructor selecting course materials and methods appropriate to the subject. Emphasis will be placed on analysis, critical thinking and historiography, in addition to mastery of subject matter. Central to the course will be a major research project, with findings presented in both written work and an oral presentation.

Examines in depth a particular issue, concept, topic or theme in history. The course will be based around reading and discussion of a variety of historical works with the instructor selecting course materials and methods appropriate to the subject. Emphasis will be placed on analysis, critical thinking and historiography, in addition to mastery of subject matter. Central to the course will be a major research project, with findings presented in both a written work and an oral presentation.

The senior thesis is to be taken under the direction of a professor in the department who will work with senior history majors writing a bachelor's thesis on a selected topic in history. Students will choose a topic and present an outline and proposal to any department faculty member or to the entire department sitting as a thesis committee. The purpose of the senior thesis is to give students the opportunity to do individualized, advanced research in an aspect of history in which they have particular interest and capability.

Provides senior students majoring in History with an opportunity and framework to reflect on their past work in the major and the wider liberal arts as well as look forward to opportunities and challenges after graduation. Students will work with the instructor, career service professionals, and alumni to understand career and graduate school possibilities and prepare strategies for success.

Open to juniors and seniors who desire to read widely in a given area or to study a specific topic in depth. Written reports and frequent conferences with the advisor are required.

Offers highly qualified majors or minors in history an opportunity to assist an instructor in the conduct of a course. The student may be held responsible for conducting classes, review sessions, consulting on course materials, etc.

Qualified students may be placed as interns in governmental and social service agencies, museums, etc.