HIS: History

Browse Gen Ed Courses in the Course Catalog

The courses listed below are part of Hawkeye's course catalog. The course cost is subject to change, and the listing does not confirm that the course is currently available. To see currently available courses and sections, visit the course search.

If you plan to transfer courses back to your current college or university, make sure the courses you want to take at Hawkeye will transfer. To confirm, meet with your advisor at your current school or, if you're attending the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, or Iowa State University, visit www.TransferinIowa.org.

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HIS-117 Western Civilization I: Ancient and Medieval

3 credits—Western Civilization I traces the development of Western Civilization from prehistory to 1300 C.E., the end of the High Middle Ages. The role of the Humanities is emphasized. The course explores major political, social, economic, scientific, intellectual, cultural, and religious developments contributing to Western societies. These include the significant events and contributions of early Middle Eastern civilizations, classical and Hellenistic Greece, the Roman Empire, its successors, the rise of the Western Christian church, and Medieval Europe.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-118 Western Civilization II: Early Modern

3 credits—Western Civilization II surveys the development of Western Civilization, covering the end of the High Middle Ages of Europe to the French Revolution. The role of the Humanities is emphasized. The course will examine the major political, social, economic, intellectual, cultural, and religious developments contributing to the emergence of modern Western European Society. This includes the significant events and contributions of the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Columbian exchange, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-119 Western Civilization III: The Modern Period

3 credits—Western Civilization III will continue exploring the development of Western Civilization, covering the period from the French Revolution until the present. The role of the Humanities is emphasized. The course will examine the major political, social, economic, intellectual, cultural, and religious developments contributing toward Western Society. Included are such major developments as the industrial revolution, the French revolution, Romanticism, European colonialism, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the new European order, and the world of the Twenty-first Century.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-133 A History of the World Through Pandemic Diseases

3 credits—Pandemic diseases, such as COVID-19 are not simply medical events. Pandemic diseases, diseases like The Black Death, Smallpox, Cholera, AIDS, and Ebola are world historic events that produce significant and lasting global, cultural, social, and economic consequences. Using both primary and secondary materials, students will investigate the medical and social dimensions of epidemics within and between different regions of the world. In addition to addressing the vulnerabilities and inequalities that facilitated the spread of these diseases, the course will also examine the ways in which people sought to ameliorate, manage, and recover from these catastrophic events.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-151 U.S. History to 1877

3 credits—This United States history course examines the country's Colonial experience, Revolutionary period, and 19th Century history through Reconstruction. The course includes political, economic, and social history of this period, as well as the development of American thought.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-152 U.S. History Since 1877

3 credits—This United States history course examines the period from the end of reconstruction to the present. Emphasis is placed upon industrialization and its impact, the development of a strong federal government, an aggressive foreign policy, and a growing involvement in an international economy. The course includes political, economic, and social history of this period, as well as the development of American thought.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-201 Iowa History

3 credits—This history course is a survey of social, political, economic, and cultural developments in Iowa from prehistoric times to the present.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-204 Rock to Hip Hop — A History

3 credits—This introductory course is a study of the evolution of Rock & Roll as well as other popular genres from the 1950’s to the present and how historical events impacted the music. This musical history will be traced from its fusion of African-American, white, and Latin music traditions in America to its present state as an internationally diverse musical style. The course will examine the historical relationship between the music of the period and political and social trends as well as events of the era.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-251 U.S. History 1945 to Present

3 credits—This United States history course examines the American experience from the end of World War II to the present. This course will include the political, diplomatic, intellectual, economic, and social history of the period.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-257 African American History

3 credits—This course examines the experiences of African-American society in the United States from origins in Africa to the present.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-277 History of Women in the U.S.

3 credits—This course explores U.S. history from the perspective of women. Topics include women’s roles, contributions, and challenges in political, economic, familial, religious, and social life. Central to the course is the intersection of gender with race, class and other social identities in shaping the diverse historical experiences of women. Also key is the influence of women on American intellectual thought, and their enhanced participation in electoral politics.

Lecture Hours: 48

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $702.00

HIS-924 Honors Project

1 credits—This course involves in-depth independent research on an approved topic under supervision of a faculty member. Upon project's completion, results will be shared with community of peers and faculty. This course can be repeated with different content for credit.

May be taken for up to 3 credits.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00

HIS-928 Independent Study

1 credits—This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue or investigate a topic of interest that does not fit within the framework of regular course offerings. An independent study self-directed learning agreement must be discussed with and submitted to a faculty advisor prior to registration. This course may be repeated for credit with different content. Course can be taken for 1–3 credits.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00

HIS-949 Special Topics

1 credits—Special Topics expands the curriculum by allowing students to enroll for up to three credits in a specific course or program area. Subject matter may be an in-depth extension of the particular area and is developed by the teaching faculty to meet unique interests and needs of the students. This course may not duplicate another one already in the catalog. This course may be repeated for credit with different content. Can be taken for 1–3 credits.

Lecture Hours: 16

Course Type: General Education / Transfer

2025–2026 Course Cost: $234.00