HST102: Western Civilization: Development
of Western societies and institutions from the ancient world through the Middle Ages. This course opened my eyes to the fact
that some of those ancient ideas and practices are still operating in the modern world.
HST104: Western Civilization: Development of Western societies
and institutions from the French Revolution to the present. This course showed some of the breaking off points of a common
history between eastern and western european societies.
HST302: Studies in History: Specialized topics in history. My topic was Jazz and
American culture. This course emphasized the relationship between art and the culture from which it springs. It helped me
forcus on looking (or listening to) artifacts as one way to interpret events. This was a powerful--sometimes hurtful--reminder
of the gulfs that can separate people who dwell in the same country but do not always enjoy the same benefits.
HST361: Witchcraft and Heresy in Europe: Examined the Inquisition and the effect
of persecution of women and other marginal groups in Europe. This course taught me something about the horrors suffered by
"out" groups and the misuses of power by the "in" groups. It provides a good study of how mass hysteria can influence people
to do what they ordinarily wouldn't.
HST363: Sex and Society in Early Modern Europe: This course examined family dynamics
and the role of sex and marriage. It was not a difficult leap from early modern Europe to the post industrialized world where
marriage continues to be the safest place for many women, despite the fact that more women than ever are able to establish
lucrative careers. Like many of the European history courses I took, I was able to make clear connections from those time
to these.
HST385: Chinese Science and Medicine: This course explores how Chinese medicine
has evolved from folk practice and how it is being influenced by Western medicine. This course required a considerable amount
of research in obscure sources, which I believe benefited me greatly by honing those skills. Also, I was able to get a glimpse
of a way of thought that I would not normally encounter.
HST443: The United States and Latin America: This course examins the often contentious
relationships between the United States and Latin America from colonial times through the present. This course opened my mind
to the idea that others do not view--or appreciate--the United States in the same way that U.S. citizens do. This is an important
concept, one that a museum curator should not forget.
