Master of Arts Programs for History Teachers
Summer 2025 - Online
Session 1 – May 5 to May 29
| HIST 632 O1A / POLSC 632 O1A: The American Presidency I – Washington to Lincoln (2) This course examines the evolution of the American presidency from the drafting of the Constitution through the Civil War. The language in Article II of the Constitution, which “vests” the executive power in a President of the United States, is somewhat ambiguous as to the scope and breadth of that power. The presidents who served from Washington through Lincoln removed some of this ambiguity and set many precedents, which are followed to this day. This course focuses on the nation’s early presidents – how they molded the office and influenced the American political order. Instructor: Abbylin Sellers (Azusa Pacific University) Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
| HIST 506 O1B / POLSC 506 O1B: The Rise of Modern America, 1914-1945 (2) With the exception of the Civil War era, it is difficult to find another thirty-year period in U.S. history during which the nation underwent such dramatic change. In 1914 the United States was no more than a regional power, with a primarily rural demography and a relatively unobtrusive federal government. Thanks to the experience of two world wars, a major cultural conflict (the 1920s), and a disastrous economic crisis the country was transformed into the global economic and military power that it remains to this day. This course will examine the cultural, economic, military, and diplomatic events and trends of the period 1914-1945. Instructor: David Hadley (National Defense University) Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:15 pm to 11:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
Session 2 – June 2 to June 26
| HIST 502 O2B / POLSC 502 O2B: The American Founding (2) This course is an intensive study of the constitutional convention, the struggle over ratification of the Constitution, and the creation of the Bill of Rights. It will include a close examination of Federalist and Antifederalist writings. Instructor: Elizabeth L’Arrivee (Rosary College) Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:15 pm to 10:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
| HIST 507 O2B / POLSC 507 O2B: Lincoln (2) This course provides an in-depth study of Abraham Lincoln’s political thought and action. Students will study Lincoln’s most important speeches, as well as study various aspects of his political leadership, including his role as the leader of the Republican party and as commander in chief. The course will also provide opportunities for students to analyze Lincoln’s rhetoric and political argumentation. Instructor: Peter C. Myers (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
Session 3 – June 2 to June 12
| HIST 501 O3B / POLSC 501 O3B: The American Revolution (2) This course focuses on three topics: political developments in North America and the British empire and the arguments for and against independence, culminating in the Declaration of Independence; the Revolutionary War as a military, social and cultural event in the development of the American nation and state; and the United States under the Articles of Confederation. Instructor: J. David Alvis (Wofford College) Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
Session 4 – June 16 to June 26
| HIST 642 O4A / POLSC 642 O4A: Political Parties (2) This course examines the development of American political parties, focusing on the meaning of parties and historic moments in the rise and fall of political parties from the Founding era to the present. Topics may include re-aligning elections, changing coalitions within American parties, and the contemporary Democratic and Republican parties. Instructor: Eric C. Sands (Berry College) Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 8:15 pm to 11:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
Session 5 – June 30 to July 10
| HIST 610 O5A / POLSC 610 O5A: American Foreign Policy (2) Students examine events and issues in the foreign policy of the American republic. Topics include the major schools of thought and approaches, the connection between domestic and foreign politics, and the connection between the principles of the American regime and its foreign policy. Instructor: Eric D. Pullin (Cathage College) Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 12:15 pm ET Note: This is a morning section. Course Materials: |
Session 6 – July 14 to July 24
| HIST 641 O6A / POLSC 641 O6A: The Supreme Court (2) The course is an intensive study of the highest court in the federal judiciary, focusing on the place of the Supreme Court in the American constitutional order. Areas of study may include the relationship between the Court and the other branches of the federal government as well as the states; the Court’s power of judicial review; and judicial politics and statesmanship. We will examine these kinds of issues by investigating how the Court has interpreted the Constitution in some of its most historic decisions. Instructor: Adam Carrington (Ashland University) Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 8:15 pm to 11:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
| HIST 643 O6C / POLSC 643 O6C: The Second Amendment (2) TBA Instructor: Abigail J. Vegter (William Jewell College) Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
Session 7 – July 28 to August 7
| HIST 503 O7B / POLSC 503 O7B: Sectionalism and Civil War (2) A study of the sectional conflict beginning with the nullification crisis. The course will not only examine the political, social and economic developments in the period leading to the civil war, but will emphasize the political thought of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and John C. Calhoun. Instructor: Robert Colby (University of Mississippi) Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 8:15 pm to 11:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
| HIST 505 O7B / POLSC 505 O7B: The Progressive Era (2) The transition to an industrial economy posed many problems for the United States. This course examines those problems and the responses to them that came to be known as progressivism. The course includes the study of World War I as a manifestation of progressive principles. The course emphasizes the political thought of Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and their political expression of progressive principles. Instructor: William Atto (University of Dallas) Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 7:15 pm to 10:30 pm ET Course Materials: |
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