Military, political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of the watershed event in modern history, the war of 1914-1918.

Examine the tragic death by cholera and violence of 57 Irish immigrant railroad laborers near campus in 1832 from the perspectives of American immigration, epidemiology, labor history, and forensics. A subject unique to Immaculata University, the course will utilize the exclusive book and film of the same subject. (Usually one credit, but may run as three credits).

This course explores, through biographies and other sources, the global history created through the activities of five individuals who created personal, universal empires and shaped whole epochs of human history: Alexander the Great, Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler.

This course will explore the contemporary conflict in the Middle East and its roots. With the departure of European colonial powers from the Middle East after World War II, several factors put the region on a course for conflict—including the creation of Israel in 1949, the rise in the global demand for oil, and the social displacement caused by infrastructure modernization in the Arab lands that accompanied the growing oil industry.

Examines the many facets of the most important event of the 20th Century in its global context.

East Asia has been an important part of the world economy since ancient times. China’s advanced economy provided many goods – both luxuries and practicalities – to foreign lands. The rapid industrialization of the West in the Nineteenth Century reversed the relationship, with the Asian market taking an important place in world trade. Belatedly, Japan, then China, then other Far Eastern countries began their own industrialization. These countries have been so successful that political power has followed on economic power. Now, China, Japan, the United States, and the European Union are entangled in a complex relationship. That relationship mixes competition with cooperation, and envy with ambition. Understanding something of the economy, society, and politics of “Industrial East Asia” is now and will remain in your lifetimes essential for business, travel, and informed citizenship.

The European experience from the outbreak of the First World War through the Great Depression and the crisis of democracy, the Second World War and reconstruction, to the collapse of communism and the movement toward European unity.

This course explores the history of the Western world from the mid-5th century through the mid-fifteenth century. Topics include: the end of the Roman Empire, the Germanic barbarian kingdoms, Byzantium and the Slavs, the rise of Islam, the Vikings, Church reform and crusade, economy and society, “Gothic Age” culture.

A study of the historic forces that have shaped the contemporary Middle East, and an analysis of the region’s significance in international politics including basic principles of Islam, Arab culture, and the influence of new forces in the Middle East.

Historical forces shaping the Russian identity and institutions; the rise and fall of the Communist regime, and contemporary developments in Russia.