The program in history and political science prepares students for professional work in the disciplines and supports the liberal arts mission of the College. Whether serving the major or a general education requirement, courses are characterized by attention to careful reading of texts, analysis of important issues of interpretation and meaning, and effective writing. Most classes are moderate in size, which allows ample opportunity for discussion and the development of critical thinking. These habits of mind are essential for success in professional life and prepare students for an active and engaged life as a citizen of our region, the nation, and the world.

The history and political science majors prepare students for graduate study or for careers in teaching and public service. In recent years, the program has sent students to law school, careers in teaching, graduate study in history and political science, political consulting, and careers in government and public service.

Major in History

A minimum of 31 semester hours, including at least two courses in world or European history, at least two courses in American history, HST/POL490, HST236/POL231 and a series of electives chosen in consultation with faculty in the program.

Major in History & Political Science

A minimum of 33 semester hours chosen in consultation with faculty in the program, and including HST/POL490.

Major in History Education

A minimum of 33 semester hours, including at least one course in world history, at least two courses in European history, at least two American history courses, one course in the regional history of the American West, HST422, HST/POL490, and electives chosen in consultation with faculty in the program.

Minor in History

A minimum of 18 semester hours chosen in consultation with faculty in the program.

Minor in Political Science

A minimum of 18 semester hours chosen in consultation with faculty in the program.

Minor in History Education

A minimum of 21 semester hours, including one course in world history, one course in European history, two courses in American history, one course in western regional history, HST/POL490, and electives chosen in consultation with faculty in the program.

Minor in Political Science (Government) Education

A minimum of 21 semester hours is required, including POL101, POL203, POL321, and 12 semester hours of electives. In addition, students must complete the professional education program for secondary teaching (grades 5-12) as described in the “education” section of the catalog.

Major in Social Studies Broadfield Education

This major serves those who desire to teach in smaller school districts. Required is a minimum of 25 credits in history, 15 in political science, and 12 psychology. In addition, students must complete the professional education program for secondary teaching as described in the “education” section of the catalog.

The following courses are required:
History:
HST/POL 490 Seminar
HST 422 Methods and Materials: Teaching History/Social Studies in the Secondary School

Choose one:
HST103 History of Civilization I
or
HST104 History of Civilization II

Choose one:
HST260 Montana and the west
or
HST311 History of Western America

Choose one of the following:
HST303 Reformation, Absolutism, and Enlightenment Europe, 1500-1789
HST304 The Age of Revolution Europe, 1789-1914
HST313 Europe Since 1914

Choose two of the following:
HST211 American History I
HST212 American History II
HST363 Recent America
HST365 American Environmental History

Choose six credits history electives.

Political Science:
POL101 Introduction to Political Science
POL203 American National, State, and Local Government
POL321 History of Political and Social Thought

Choose six credits of upper-division politicalsScience electives.

Psychology:
PSY101 General Psychology
PSY206 Human Development II

Choose six credits of upper-division psychology electives.

HST103 - History of Civilization I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course provides a survey of the origin and development of world culture, with an emphasis on basic ideas. The relevant geography of each area will be covered.

HST104 - History of Civilization II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course provides a survey of the origin and development of world culture, with emphasis on basic ideas. Relevant geography of each area will be covered.

HST211 - American History I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
An exploration of vital issues and ideas in American History from the contact of cultures through Reconstruction. Students will consider such issues as the formation of American identities, native responses to European colonization, slavery and race relations, the growth of democracy, and United States political culture from the Revolution through the Civil War.

HST212 - American History II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
An exploration of vital issues and ideas in American history from the Gilded Age to the present. Students will consider such issues as industrialism, reform movements, and the role of American in the world.

HST231 - Aviation History

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course outlines the evolution of aviation from early glider and balloon flights to modern jets and the space age. The course examines the multiple ways that technology and warfare have advanced aviation. Topics of study include specific flights, significant aviators, and particular aircraft that have improved general, commercial, and military aviation. The course discusses current developments and future trends in aviation. This course is cross listed with AVS231.

HST232 - The World Since 1945

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course explores the major developments in world society from the end of World War II to the present. Major themes of emphasis include the Cold War, decolonization, revolution, nation-building, civil war, social movements, political repression, genocide, terrorism, and globalization.

HST236 - Research Design

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 1
An introduction to the fundamentals of academic research. Students will learn to select relevant topics, formulate analytical questions, evaluate scholarly claims, and understand how to properly utilize and synthesize appropriate academic sources. This course is cross listed with POL 231. Note: This course is a prerequisite for the POL/HST490 Seminar.

HST260 - Montana and the West

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Students survey the history of Montana in its regional context, focusing on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

HST303 - Reformation, Absolutism, and Enlightenment Europe, 1500-1789

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course will trace the major political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural developments in Europe from the late Middle Ages to the eve of the French Revolution.

HST304 - The Age of Revolution Europe, 1789-1914

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course provides a study of the French Revolution, the Napoleonic era, the movement toward national unification in Germany and Italy, and the impact of political democracy, capitalism, socialism, and imperialism on European culture.

HST309 - The United States in World Affairs

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course studies United States foreign policy and diplomacy, including other American international activities, from 1917 to the present. This course is cross listed with POL 309.

HST311 - History of Western America

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
The development of the American West from the first explorations to the 20th century is examined.

HST313 - Europe Since 1914

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Students examine political, cultural, social, and economic developments in Europe from the beginning of World War I to the present. Themes under examination will include nationalism, industrialization, capitalism, liberalism, imperialism, socialism, secularization and urbanization as well as the period's major wars and revolutions.

HST317 - Archaeology and History of the Holy Land

Semester: Summer
Semester hours: 6
This course is designed for students participating in the Bethsaida Excavation and tour of selected sites in Israel. Students will engage in activities including excavating at the site; attending pottery reading, laboratory and evening lectures at the kibbutz; learning archaeological methodology;
and learning about kibbutz living on the Galilee. Students are also expected to participate in all guided group tours of important sites and museums in Israel.

HST324 - History of Russia to 1861

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
Focusing upon the medieval origins of early East Slavic societies and the formation of the Muscovite state and Russian Empire, this course emphasizes the political, economic, social, and cultural components of pre-revolutionary Russia from the tenth through the nineteenth centuries. Special attention will be given to themes of state-building, ethnicity, empire-building, and the role of gender, class, religion, and ideology.

HST325 - History of Russia and the Soviet Union Since 1861

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course offers an in-depth exploration of Russian and Soviet political, social, and cultural history from the abolition of serfdom in 1861 to the present. Themes of emphasis include the rise of democratic and revolutionary movements in the late tsarist period, the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, industrialization and collectivization, political repression, late Soviet society, Cold War relations, the collapse of the Soviet empire, and post-Soviet society and culture.

HST356 - Indigenous Responses to Colonialism

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
An exploration of the variety of military, political, and cultural responses by indigenous people to colonialism, especially in response to settler societies such as those in the Americas, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand. Topics will include violence, strategies of resistance and accommodation, the formation of racial identities, environmental degradation, and ongoing struggles for autonomy in a global context.

HST358 - Topics in History

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
An exploration of selected historical ideas, issues, and events. Topics will vary according to instructor interest and student demand, but will focus on central historical texts, important interpretive issues, and emerging scholarship. If the topic is different, students may take this course more than once.

HST363 - Recent America

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course is an exploration of major currents in American society since 1945, including war, reform, the rise of welfare, civil rights, Vietnam, feminism, and conservative reaction to these issues.

HST365 - American Environmental History

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course examines the interrelationship of human society and nature in American history. Topics will include ecology as it relates to European conquest of the Americas, Native American peoples, public lands policies, American national character, technological society, conservation, and the modern environmental movement.

HST370 - Medieval History

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course examines the history of Europe and the Mediterranean world during the Middle Ages (ca. 300- 1500), beginning with the transformations of the Roman world in late antiquity and concluding with the origins of the early modern era. Special attention will be devoted to religious, social, and cultural topics, including the Roman papacy, monastic life, the crusades, the problem of heresy, the rise of persecutions, peasant society, and trends in late medieval spirituality.

HST422 - Methods and Materials Teaching History/Social Studies in the Secondary School

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 2
This course requires focused study and consultation with a public school history or social studies teacher, or other acceptable professional. Hours will be arranged in consultation with the content area professor, the secondary education professor, the student, and the professional mentor. Methods of teaching history/social studies content appropriate for grades 5-12 are explored. Appropriate use of technology and implications of current research in history education are discussed.
Prerequisites: Admission to the teacher education program, senior standing

HST450 - Internship

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-12
This course is a guided work experience in an already established place of business. The student must arrange the internship in agreement with the instructor and the office of career services. The internship should relate to the student’s major or minor area of study. Contract is required.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing

HST490 - Seminar

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This seminar explores such topics as the methods and materials of research, trends in historical research and writing, and a survey of historiography and the philosophy of history. A major research paper is required. This course is cross listed with POL 490.
Prerequisite: HST 236/POL 231

HST499 - Independent Study

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-3
This course allows a superior student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with, and supervised by, a faculty member. Students should be either a major or minor and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing

POL101 - Introduction to Political Science

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course provides an examination of the basic concepts of political science in light of contemporary political events. Students approach such important concepts as freedom, power, democracy, authority, revolution, and dictatorship.

POL203 - American National, State, and Local Government

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course provides an analysis of the American system of government on three levels. Students will examine the origins of our system of government, the nature and role of our Constitution with its functional and territorial distribution of powers, and the importance of government at the three levels.

POL220 - Political Leadership

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course will survey various theories of leadership as applied to politics, as well as explore the biographies of the men and women who have shaped both local as well as global events. Theory is grounded to practical application, with an emphasis on the various styles, methods, and particular contexts within which individual leaders have come to power, and how the exercise thereof has altered or reinforced their original goals and programs.

POL225 - Film and Politics

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
Serves as an introduction to the study of politics and power relations through the modern medium of cinema. Films are treated as texts, and cover a wide-ranging and diverse set of themes, such as electoral politics, race relations, education, censorship, political violence, capitalism, and gender issues.

POL231 - Research Design

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 1
An introduction to the fundamentals of academic research. Students will learn to select relevant topics, formulate analytical questions, evaluate scholarly claims, and understand how to properly utilize and synthesize appropriate academic sources. This course is cross listed with HST 236. Note: This course is a prerequisite for the POL/HST490 Seminar.

POL301 - International Relations

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
Students examine an analysis of the way nations interact with one another and how the necessities of power and the desire to regulate the use of power in the international arena have influenced twentieth-century world politics.
Prerequisite: A lower-division history course

POL309 - The United States in World Affairs

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
This course studies United States foreign policy and diplomacy, including other American international activities, from 1917 to the present. This course is cross listed with HST 309.

POL313 - Environmental Politics

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
Political problems associated with the human impact on the natural environment: pollution, natural resources, public lands, land use, energy, cultural/social justice, and population.

POL318 - Visions of Utopia

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
An exploration of the persistent yet elusive quest for the ideal system of governance. The course explores how “perfect” systems have been visualized in theory, attempted in practice, and often lamented in retrospect. Readings are drawn from a variety of historical examples, dating back to the ancient world, and include several utopian and dystopian novels that illuminate the inherent conflict between necessary order and perfect freedom.

POL321 - History of Political and Social Thought

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
The development of political and social ideas from ancient Greece to the present is examined.
Prerequisite: POL 101

POL327 - Race and Class in America

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
Despite substantial efforts to provide economic opportunity for all Americans, a large and ethnically-diverse underclass remains. In an effort to explain this phenomenon, this course directly confronts American perceptions on wealth, poverty, and race, in order to more fully understand the confluence and contradictions among them. Course materials will include historical accounts, personal narratives, and sociopolitical analyses that explore concepts such as whiteness and blackness, and explain the cultural and structural factors which limit life-chances and prevent many from claiming their share of the elusive “American Dream.”

POL343 - Bross Peace Seminar

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
The Drs. John R. and Helen H. Bross Peace Seminar develops a theme that stems from the mission statement of the Rocky Mountain College Institute for Peace Studies which explores alternatives to violence in the behavior of individuals, groups, and nations. This upper division course is interdisciplinary, inter-generational, and team taught. We have presenters from Rocky Mountain College and Montana State University-Billings, with international guest speakers and guest speakers from the professional and business communities. Enrollment is limited to 20 students and 20 auditors to allow for active discussion and exchange.
Prerequisite: Junior standing

POL405 - Mass Movements and Global Terrorism

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
An advanced seminar which focuses upon the sociocultural causes of violent mass movements. Terrorism is more properly understood as a specific type of political violence, and thus the course will seek to explain and understand the dynamic power struggles that underlie the phenomenon. Ultimately, strategies of counterterrorism and the prospect for peaceful reconciliation will be considered.

POL412 - Constitutional Law

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
A case-method approach to the landmark decisions of the Supreme Court, with an emphasis on the doctrine of judicial review and the role of the Court in interpreting the Constitution and shaping American legal culture. The course will focus on the exercise and limitations of federal power in the areas of the economy, civil rights, and individual liberties, as well as the Constitutional basis on which statutes and other regulatory provisions are adjudicated. Special attention will be given to Constitutional clauses related to free speech, due process, and equal protection under the law.

POL422 - Revolutions and Revolutionaries

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
An advanced seminar that seeks to answer one of the most important questions in the field: why men rebel. Relying heavily on primary sources, readings will include works of political theory, political biography, and narrative accounts of various historical examples of revolution as well as several profiles of the men and women engaged in both violent and non-violent rebellion.

POL427 - The Crisis of Modernity

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 3
The dawn of the scientific revolution is much heralded as a turning point in world history, at which time man was emancipated from earlier forms of traditional rule. However, the divorce between tradition and the modern world is wrought with challenges and contradictions, such as the often dichotomous relationships between religion and secularism, science and faith, technology and nature. A primary goal of this course is to question whether mankind is headed in the right direction, or if modernity has resulted in a net-negative for the human condition.

POL450 - Internship

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-12
This course is a guided work experience in an already established place of business. The student must arrange the internship in agreement with the instructor and the office of career services. The internship should relate to the student’s major or minor area of study. Contract is required.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing

POL483 - Research Assistantship

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-3
As an advanced research course designed primarily for students considering further study at the graduate level, this is an opportunity for students to work individually and in close consultation with a member of the faculty, based on the supervising advisor’s particular research agenda. Principal tasks include data collection, literature review, preliminary analysis, and/or other duties stipulated in an initial course contract.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing

POL490 - Seminar

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This seminar explores such topics as the methods and materials of research, trends in historical research and writing, and a survey of historiography and the philosophy of history. A major research paper is required. This course is cross listed with HST 490
Prerequisite: POL 231/HST 236

POL499 - Independent Study

Semester: On Demand
Semester hours: 1-3
This course allows a superior student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with, and supervised by, a faculty member. Students should be either a major or minor and have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing