Guided History Pathways

Courses in global history explore the connections, commonalities, and differences between civilizations that have shaped the contemporary world. Courses in this area reveal how “culture” is not something that simply begins and ends with a particular group of people or time period, but comes into being through interconnections and borrowings across space and time among multiple groups of people. For instance, by taking these courses you will see how ancient religious beliefs and practices impact contemporary culture and politics, such as in Roman and Christian contributions to an understanding of what constitutes a “just war,” or how a combination of Western, Chinese, and indigenous beliefs and practices led to the creation of modern Japan.

In addition to the general education core, the B.S. and B.A. in History and the B.S. in History with an Emphasis in Teacher Education, students who follow the Global History Pathway are encouraged to select a minimum of four classes from the list below.  Doing so will ensure that you obtain sufficient grounding in Global History.

Many students are drawn to the study of American history; after all, through learning about our nation’s history they are better able to understand our nation today. Students taking courses in the U.S. History pathway will come to appreciate the unique and laudable aspects of the United States, described by John Winthrop as a “City Upon a Hill.” But the United States has a fascinating and complex history. The foundational principles of democracy, liberty, and equality mean different things to different people, and have evolved over time.

Much of America’s history is found in the story of the under-represented: racial and ethnic minorities, women, Native Americans, the LGBTQ community, and others who even today struggle to achieve true “equality.” The United States has also been described as “a nation of immigrants,” people from around the globe and their descendants, whose diverse and varied experiences have resulted in the development of many national identities within a single state. Yet these people have a similar shared experience as Americans. The American story is one of division and unity, of progress and poverty, of the “American dream” and an often less inviting reality.

When taking courses in US history, you will examine the diverse cultural, political, and economic issues and events that created division and contention and simultaneously create a unique national identity.

In addition to the general education core, the B.S. and B.A. in History and the B.S. in History with an Emphasis in Teacher Education, students who follow the Global History Pathway are encouraged to select a minimum of four classes from the list below.  Doing so will ensure that you obtain sufficient grounding in U.S. history.

The American South’s distinctive historical experience makes it worthy of in-depth scholarly exploration.  At Lander you can dig deep into the South’s past.  In doing so you will learn about the region’s significant influence on national and international affairs, economics, literature, music, art, sports, religion, and race and gender relations.  Join other students who are taking classes that examine the South’s Native American life, its role as a lucrative collection of English colonies, the antebellum period, and the American Civil War.  And come to learn about how the region transitioned from the New South to the Sun Belt during the twentieth century.

In addition to the general education core, the B.S. and B.A. in History and the B.S. in History with an Emphasis in Teacher Education, students who follow the Global History Pathway are encouraged to select a minimum of four classes from the list below.  Doing so will ensure that you obtain sufficient grounding in the history of the American South.

People around the globe have developed unique religions, languages, foods, moral values, political systems, and economies.  The varied and complex cultural differences have created many opportunities and challenges.  Diversity has opened doors to innovation and offered people multiple means of understanding and grappling with complex issues.  Yet the same differences that allow for creativity also generate challenges.  Even people who welcome diversity can run into conflict with each other because they see the world differently.

Given the globalization of our society, we are faced with changes that require understanding of differences and a need to develop empathy, respect, and cooperation.  At Lander you can take classes that examine issues related to race and gender, and that explore the varied experiences of people who make up the international community.  You will also have the opportunity to explore how social change occurs over time.  Classes at Lander examine major and minor social and political movements that have resulted in the gradual move towards equality and the backlash against change.

In addition to the general education core, the B.S. and B.A. in History and the B.S. in History with an Emphasis in Teacher Education, students who follow the Global History Pathway are encouraged to select a minimum of four classes from the list below.  Doing so will ensure that you obtain sufficient grounding in cultural diversity and social change.

In courses in the War and Society pathway, students will study the roles of soldiers and leaders as well as wartime tactics and strategy. But wars involve much more than the battlefield experience. Such courses also explore the diplomatic dimensions of war, and peace; the avoidance of war and “roads not taken;” and the experiences of civilians, veterans, and other groups touched by war.  However, wars do not occur in a vacuum.  They have a significant effect on society and vice versa.  Political, social, and economic values and systems are the root causes of wars and play essential roles in how they are conducted and in their outcomes.

At Lander you can take courses that explore international approaches to war as well as courses that focus on specific conflicts such as the American Civil War.  

In addition to the general education core, the B.S. and B.A. in History and the B.S. in History with an Emphasis in Teacher Education, students who follow the Global History Pathway are encouraged to select a minimum of four classes from the list below.  Doing so will ensure that you obtain sufficient grounding in the history of war and society.