History

"Study history, study history," Winston Churchill once said. "In history lies all the secrets of statecraft."

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History

Contact Information

David Riggs
History Instructor

DRiggs@inverhills.edu
651-423-3308
A215

Admissions Team

admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3000
College Center

Although statecraft is not the keystone of most careers, studying history at Inver Hills is smart for several more reasons, including:

Understanding society
Understanding change
Gaining a sense of identity
Preserving stories from the past
Finding inspiration for the future
Learning from tough lessons
Becoming a better person

Coursework at Inver Hills includes the study of modern civilizations from ancient Egypt to modern East Asia. You can analyze world religions, world wars and the world of Latin America. By exploring topics as diverse as Minnesota history, the history of family, civil rights and international politics, you will both increase your cultural intelligence and complete courses with a strong record of transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Earning your A.A. with Emphasis is not required to take history classes. You can add courses in this discipline to your academic palette to broaden your worldview while enhancing your career options. All history courses at Inver Hills transfer within the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Degree

A.A., History Transfer Pathway – 60 credits

The History Transfer Pathway A.A. offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated History bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing the pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State Universities* enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

The History Pathway consists of the Required Pathway Curriculum, the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), and the Health and Physical Fitness Requirement, to bring your credit total to 60 credits.

*Universities within the Minnesota State system include Bemidji State University; Metropolitan State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University, Moorhead; Southwest Minnesota State University; St. Cloud State University; and Winona State University.

Coursework Program Planning Guide

Required History Pathway Curriculum - 12 credits

History courses beyond the four recommended courses are not guaranteed to transfer into a history major at a Minnesota State university. The courses below must be completed successfully according to the university’s grade standards AND address the required outcomes in the transfer pathway for history.

Course Number	Title	Credits
*Introduction to US History - 4 credits*
HIST 1114 OR HIST 1115	US History to 1877 OR US History since 1865	4 cr
**Introduction to World History - 4 credits**
HIST 1106 OR HIST 1107	World History 1 OR World History 2	4 cr
One additional survey course to complete a sequence - 4 credits
HIST 1114 OR HIST 1115 OR HIST 1106 OR HIST 1107	US History to 1877 OR US History since 1865 OR World History 1 OR World History 2	4 cr
Total Credits:		12

Electives - 18 credits

Electives may be any course numbered 1000 level or higher from any discipline. This may include additional courses from the MnTC. It is recommended students take one additional history survey course to complete the other sequence, or an additional history course (please check with the receiving university to understand how it will transfer; a fourth history course may transfer into the major program in history or it may transfer only as an elective toward the bachelor’s degree).

General Education Requirements - 28 credits

The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) requires a minimum of 40 credits, some of which will be satisfied by the required pathway curriculum. You must complete the MnTC courses that are specifically designated below. You may choose the other courses from each goal area from the list located at: www.inverhills.edu/MnTC.

To streamline your degree, you are encouraged to choose MnTC Goal 1-6 courses that also meet MnTC Goal areas 7-10.

Goal	Description	Courses
Goal 1	Communication ENG 1108 Writing & Research Skills ENG 1111, 1114 OR 1130 COMM 1100, 1110 OR 2230	3 courses
Goal 2	Critical Thinking Satisfied by First Year Experience course or MnTC completion
Goal 3	Natural Science (1 course must include lab) Goal 3a (Life Science) course Goal 3b (Physical Sciences) course	2 courses
Goal 4	Mathematical/Logical Reasoning Goal 4 course	1 course
Goal 5	History/Social Sciences/Behavioral Sciences Two courses satisfied by Transfer Pathway Any additional Goal 5 (non-HIST) course	3 courses
Goal 6	Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature Goal 6a (Fine Arts) course Goal 6b (Humanities/Literature) course Any additional Goal 6 course	3 courses
Goal 7	Human Diversity Goal 7 course	1 course
Goal 8	Global Perspective Satisfied by Transfer Pathway
Goal 9	Ethical and Civic Responsibility Goal 9 course	1 course
Goal 10	People and the Environment Goal 10 course	1 course
Total Credits:		28

Health/Physical Education – 2 credits

For a list of the requirements and courses, go to: inverhills.edu/MnTC.

Course Number	Title	Credits
Health		1 cr
Physical Education		1 cr
Total Credits:		2

FULL-TIME RECOMMENDED COURSE OF STUDY

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: inverhills.edu/MnTC.

Semester 1 - 15-16 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
History Survey (first in a sequence of US or World)*		4 cr
ENG 1108	Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1a)	4 cr
MnTC Goal 5 elective (non-HIST)		3 cr
MnTC Goal 6a elective		3 cr
First Year Experience course (Goal 2)		1-2 cr
Total Credits:		15-16

Semester 2 - 15-16 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
History Survey (second in the sequence of US or World)*		4 cr
ENG 1111 OR ENG 1114 OR ENG 1130	Research Writing (Goal 1b) OR The Research Paper OR Writing & Research for the Professions	2-3 cr
COMM 1100 OR COMM 1110 OR COMM 2230	Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1c, 7) OR Public Speaking (Goal 1c) OR Small Group Communication (Goal 1c, 5)	3 cr
MnTC Goal 6a OR 6b elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 9¹ elective		3 cr
Total Credits:		15-16

Semester 3 - 15 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
History Survey (first in the sequence of US or World)*		4 cr
MnTC Goal 3a elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 6b elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 7¹ elective		3 cr
Health & PE		2 cr
Total Credits:		15

Semester 4 - 14-15 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
History Survey (second in the sequence of US or World)		4 cr
MnTC Goal 3b elective		3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 4 elective		3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 10¹ elective		3 cr
General elective		0-1 cr
Total Credits:		14-15

* Course required for major
¹ These credits may be taken as electives if Goal Areas 7, 9, and 10 are completed as part of another course.

PART-TIME RECOMMENDED COURSE OF STUDY

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: inverhills.edu/MnTC.

Semester 1 - 9-10 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
History Survey (first in a sequence of US or World)*		4 cr
ENG 1108	Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1a)	4 cr
First Year Experience course (Goal 2)		1-2 cr
Total Credits:		9-10

Semester 2 - 9-10 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
History Survey (second in the sequence of US or World)*		4 cr
ENG 1111 OR ENG 1114 OR ENG 1130	Research Writing (Goal 1b) OR The Research Paper OR Writing & Research for the Professions	2-3 cr
COMM 1100 OR COMM 1110 OR COMM 2230	Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1c, 7) OR Public Speaking (Goal 1c) OR Small Group Communication (Goal 1c, 5)	3 cr
Total Credits:		9-10

Semester 3 - 8 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
History Survey (first in the sequence of US or World)*		4 cr
MnTC Goal 3b elective		4 cr
Total Credits:		8

Semester 4 - 10 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
History Survey (second in the sequence of US or World)		4 cr
MnTC Goal 5 elective (non-HIST)		3 cr
MnTC Goal 6a elective		3 cr
Total Credits:		10

Semester 5 - 9-10 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
MnTC Goal 4 elective		3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 3a elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 6b elective		3 cr
Total Credits:		9-10

Semester 6 - 8 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
MnTC Goal 6a OR 6b elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 7¹ elective		3 cr
Health & PE		2 cr
Total Credits:		8

Semester 7 - 6-7 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
MnTC Goal 9¹ elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 10¹ elective		3 cr
General elective		0-1 cr
Total Credits:		6-7

*Course required for major
¹These credits may be taken as electives if Goal Areas 7, 9, and 10 are completed as part of another course.

Course Descriptions

HIST 1106 World History 1 4.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1106

Considers world civilizations from prehistoric roots, to Sumer, Egypt, Assyria, Israel, China and Southeast Asia, India, Greece, Rome, Africa, and Europe through the early modern era. Topics include political, cultural, religious, economic, intellectual and artistic development across regions and time.

HIST 1107 World History 2 4.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1107

Explores world history to the present from the early modern era period, to Modern East Asia; the rise of transatlantic and transpacific societies to industrial revolution, and from the emergence of nationalism, and the age of ideologies, to the global marketplace.

HIST 1108 Introduction To Latin American History 4.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1108

Introduces students to Latin American history from before European contact and through the 20th century. Surveys the major historical forces contributing to the development of modern Latin America with an emphasis on the blending of Native American, European, and African cultures of people who have lived, and continue to live, in South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

HIST 1114 History Of The United States To 1877 4.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1114

Surveys the emergence of the American nation from the colonial period to revolution, the early national period Jacksonian Era, sectional conflict, Civil War and reconstruction emphasizing social, political, and intellectual developments reflecting American diversity.

HIST 1115 History Of The United States Since 1865 4.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1115

Surveys the New South, the industrial revolution, Progressive era, roaring twenties, Great Depression, World Wars, Cold and post-Cold War eras to the present. Emphasizes political, social, economic and intellectual developments in the United States, reflecting American ethnic and cultural diversity.

HIST 1118 Wartime: The Great War To The War On Terror 3.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1118

Provides a historical study of the cultural, political, economic and military forces and events that shaped the modern age of total war from the origins of World War I through the 21st century War on terror.

HIST 1122 The United States Since 1945: The Consequences of Power 3.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1122

Examines the United States since 1945, with an emphasis on the rise and fall of the Cold War; arts, entertainment and popular culture; the Civil Rights movement and its legacies; the technological revolution; religious and political revivalism; and international economics and politics.

HIST 1130 Minnesota History 3.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1130

Examines the historical development of the State of Minnesota, from its prehistoric origins through the territorial period, and to the present. Surveys social, political, economic and geographical forces, with emphasis on the interaction of people and environment, that have shaped Minnesota's history.

HIST 1135 History of Family: A Cross-Cultural Perspective 3.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 1135

Explores the social, political and cultural history of the modern family, emphasizing the transformation in the structure, values and economic basis of family life from the 16th century to the present. Particular attention is placed on the relation between social science, literature and the immigration experience of Africans, Europeans, Asians and Native Americans in the cultural crossroads of colonial to contemporary American history.

HIST 2120 Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Age of Business 3.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 2120

Surveys the political, economic and racial origins and implications of the U.S. Civil War; the rise and fall of Reconstruction; the growth of transportation and industrial economies, Indian removal and resistance; the New South and Populist revolt; the Progressives, urbanization, and the emergence of the modern corporation.

HIST 2125 History of World Religions: Ancient to Modern Time 4.0 cr

Course Outline for HIST 2125

Compares and contrasts the history of the values, beliefs and world views associated with world religious faiths, practices and institutions from ancient to contemporary times. Topics include: Views of creation, time and death, good and evil, the relation to art, relation to political power, and role in social and cultural conflict. Prereq: HIST 1106 or HIST 1107 recommended.

Transfer Pathways

With this transfer pathway, you will be able to transfer to the following programs:

Bemidji State University: History – BA, BS
Metropolitan State University: History – BA
Minnesota State University, Mankato: History – BA, BS
Minnesota State University, Moorhead: History - BA
Southwest Minnesota State University: History – BA
St. Cloud State University: History – BA
Winona State University: History – BA

Meet the Faculty

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Education Credentials

Clubs & Organizations

Professional Organizations

American Historical Association (AHA)
Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)
Center for History and New Media (RRCHNM)
Conference on Latin American History (CLAH)
International Institute of Social History (IISH)
National Council for History Education (NCHE)
Organization of American Historians (OAH)
Royal Historical Society (RHS)
Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG)
Society for the Study of Early Modern Women (EMW)
Society of American Historians (SAH)
World History Association (WHA)

Employment Information

Lord Acton summed up the importance of history when he said: "History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul." Although only a fraction of history majors become professional historians, most launch successful careers in any number of fields, working as attorneys, diplomats, librarians, business leaders, authors, archivists, researchers, journalists, educators, politicians and more. A solid foundation in historical study promotes intellectual excellence along with exceptional competence in key transferable skills, including:

Writing, editing and presentation
Critical analysis
Rigorous research
Interdisciplinary thinking
Cultural appreciation
Big-picture viewpoint

As a history major you will:

Maximize your ability to interpret past events
Maximize your comprehension of current cultural trends and issues
Maximize your capacity to develop your own theories and insights
Maximize your global perspective

Occupations pursued by history majors

Anthropologist
Archeologist
Archivist
Biographer
Community relations director
Congressional Aide
Consumer advocate
Counselor
Criminologist
Demographer
Economist
Editor
Foreign service officer
Genealogist
Historian
Historic preservationist
Historic site tour guide
Historical society staff
Intelligence analyst
Journalist
Lawyer
Lecturer
Librarian
Lobbyist
Market research analyst
Media consultant
Museum curator
Museum technician
Political scientist
Psychologist
Public relations specialist
Researcher
Sociologist
Technical writer
Travel agent
Urban administrator
Urban planner
Writer

Why Inver Hills?

Completing your A.A. in History degree obligations at Inver Hills is smart on several key levels:

You will receive an excellent education with one-on-one interactions with history faculty
You will get experience working History faculty to understand the human condition from a historical perspective
You will save money and continue your academic and professional careers with less student debt *

* On a national scale, student loan debt has mushroomed to $1.2 trillion, which is greater than credit card debt and auto loan debt combined. In Minnesota, the average debt for four-year grads tops $30,000; 70 percent carry a student debt load.

Tuition and fees for one year at Inver Hills costs a little less than $5,300. Compare that to $15,000 to $20,000 at a for-profit college, or $40,000 to $50,000 at a private college or university. You can complete your first two years at Inver getting a topflight education firsthand from Ph.D. instructors and then transfer to a four-year as a junior all while saving thousands of dollars. It's a no-brainer.