Grrr...

[QueenAdrock]

University of Maryland is offering 4 upper level European history courses in the spring: Reformation and Renaissance history (I've already taken the lower level of that), Roman Empire (maybe interesting, but will be hard), French History (offered at 9:30 in the morning, so I'd be in hardcore DC rush hour traffic), and Holocaust of European Jewry (interesting, but I'm taking Nazi Germany this semester, so I'll already know a good deal).

This sucks, because I HAVE to work during the school year, and I need 2 more European histories to graduate...plus a senior history seminar, a physical science, and an upper level elective. I can't make any good schedules that will work with my work schedule...or won't get me stuck in shitty traffic. I guess I'll have to wait until registration begins to see if they add anymore courses (British history, perhaps?).

And on top of that, my parents just bought a house down in North Carolina, and will be completely moved out by next May. So when I graduate it's like, hey Diana, congratulations. Now find a higher-paying job, and somewhere to live, cuz we're outta here! And I have no idea where I'll work, or where I'll live, or if I'll be forced to move to Chicago or what!

I HATE having to make so many decisions at one time.

[/rant]

[ms.peachy]

If it was up to me, I'd take the Romans. The influence is so massive, it will give you a good grounding in pretty much everything, certainly all of subsequent Western history.

Plus, they had those great shoes.

[Ace42X]

History of communism is always a fascinating course I find... I am also fond of the renaissance. Personally I'd avoid the holocaust like the plague - too contentious a subject to study without heavily invested emotions.

Is the "Roman Empire" the Romans as in the Italian archetypical empire? Or the "holy roman empire" which according to Voltaire was "neither holy, roman nor an empire" ?

If it is the former, I'd recommend it, as I find it possibly the most fascinating pieces of all history.

[QueenAdrock]

I'd like a history of Italian Facism, or Communism (though I don't think communism would fall under my major of Western European history, it would probably be Eastern). They don't offer it though.

HIST327 The Roman Empire; (3 credits) Grade Method: REG/P-F/AUD.
Roman history from Augustus to Heraclius, 44 B.C.-A.D. 641: The Imperial court and government; the diversity of culture in provinces and cities and the progress of Romanization; Roman religion and its transformation in late antiquity; the Roman army and defense of the frontiers.

It'll be interesting, but I do like history that I have even a little bit of background that I can build upon. I last learned about the Roman Empire in 6th grade! :(

I'm not into the Renaissance too much, I'm much more interested in modern 19th and 20th century Europe.

[Ace42X]

That seems like an excellent course. Here (a country that was invaded by the Romans) it is unavoidable. From Roman walls and catacombs in my home city, to roman roads, to roman named towns - you can't mvoe anywhere or see something that hasn't been altered by their presence.

Such is a testament to their legacy that they were regarded as "the giants" by the anglo-saxons that followed them, due to their ability to work stone, and the greater-than-lifesize statues that still were present in the wrecked cities.

[QueenAdrock]

Where do you live?

[ToucanSpam]

I'm not into the Renaissance too much, I'm much more interested in modern 19th and 20th century Europe.

*growls sexily*


I'd say take Roman, and maybe Reformation. I'm currently taking what's called HIST212: Mideval History (fall of roman empire-reformation), and it's pretty yummy. Being a History major I'd probably just say take em all, but obviously that ain't possible as you said.

Also, about the job and parents, it'll all workout, just look hard.

[QueenAdrock]

Yeah. I want to take more histories (they have a sweet US Cinema between WWII and Vietnam that I was looking at), but after my bill of $500 for books this semester...yeah. I think I should calm it down a bit. Though I could take another history as an elective. But I've been advised against taking so many histories when I have a seminar course (capstone course) to take too.

The seminar is basically all 4 years rolled into one gigantic course comprised of nothing but primary-sources and a 25-pager at the end. Sigh. :(

[ToucanSpam]

A 25 page paper is enough to choke a small solar system. I also has a huge ass bill of books so spending=less for now.


My university has less history options....I want a 20th Century Russian History course.

[QueenAdrock]

You mean like this?

HIST442 Twentieth-Century Russia; (3 credits) Grade Method: REG/P-F/AUD.
Russia and the Soviet Union from the fall of the tsars to the post- communist present. Impact of Leninism, Stalinism and Soviet Communism on state, society, culture and nationality.

I'd take it if it counted towards something that I needed.

[ToucanSpam]

You mean like this?

HIST442 Twentieth-Century Russia; (3 credits) Grade Method: REG/P-F/AUD.
Russia and the Soviet Union from the fall of the tsars to the post- communist present. Impact of Leninism, Stalinism and Soviet Communism on state, society, culture and nationality.

I'd take it if it counted towards something that I needed.
:eek:

I just came.

I absolutely adore Russian History from 1905-1992. I wrote a paper on the Kirov assassination in Grade 12 for the IB program, I loved it (I'm proud of that paper) and wish for more detail.

[Ace42X]

You mean like this?

HIST442 Twentieth-Century Russia; (3 credits) Grade Method: REG/P-F/AUD.
Russia and the Soviet Union from the fall of the tsars to the post- communist present. Impact of Leninism, Stalinism and Soviet Communism on state, society, culture and nationality.

I'd take it if it counted towards something that I needed.

That looks an excellent course.

Also, I didn't spend anything in my final few years of university on books. Internet is your friend. Anything you need to research should be on there.

PS: I am not sure the US can do a communism course justice =/

[ms.peachy]

:eek:

I just came.

I absolutely adore Russian History from 1905-1992. I wrote a paper on the Kirov assassination in Grade 12 for the IB program, I loved it (I'm proud of that paper) and wish for more detail.
Have you ever read Ice Road, (http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,12084,1167030,00.html) by Gillian Slovo?

[QueenAdrock]

A lot of them require human-interest books. Novels, and such. I've found a lot of them cheaper on Amazon, and got them for about $300 less than what they should have been, but they still raped my wallet pretty hard.

[Ace42X]

A lot of them require human-interest books. Novels, and such. I've found a lot of them cheaper on Amazon, and got them for about $300 less than what they should have been, but they still raped my wallet pretty hard.

Ouch. I am such a cheapskate.

[QueenAdrock]

PS: I am not sure the US can do a communism course justice =/

Sure we can. We'll talk about how horrible communism is and how we did a great job in preventing it spreading to our country. Hurray capitalism! :D

[ToucanSpam]

Have you ever read Ice Road, (http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,12084,1167030,00.html) by Gillian Slovo?
No, but I will immediately look for and read this particular novel.


Thereeeee wassssss a book recently published called Court of the Red Tsar, all about Stalin and his family. MMMMMMMM I know what's gonna be under my Xmas tree this year!

[ms.peachy]

No, but I will immediately look for and read this particular novel.

It's very good; you really will not regret the effort of seeking it out. We read it in my book group and we (all 12 of us) almost never all agree on a book, but this was one of the few where everyone found it intensely moving. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on it once you've read it, since you have a particular interest in that time and culture.

[ToucanSpam]

It's very good; you really will not regret the effort of seeking it out. We read it in my book group and we (all 12 of us) almost never all agree on a book, but this was one of the few where everyone found it intensely moving. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on it once you've read it, since you have a particular interest in that time and culture.
Word.

I'm going to check the databases at the school libraries first, 'cause I can't buy books, due to being broke. :(

[Documad]

HIST327 The Roman Empire; (3 credits) Grade Method: REG/P-F/AUD.
Roman history from Augustus to Heraclius, 44 B.C.-A.D. 641: The Imperial court and government; the diversity of culture in provinces and cities and the progress of Romanization; Roman religion and its transformation in late antiquity; the Roman army and defense of the frontiers.
I don't know what your goals are. Some people choose courses where they're likely to get a good grade. If you're looking to be a historian I can't imagine how you can avoid the Roman Empire.

This is purely personal. To my great regret I got a BS in finance. I've spent most of the last 14 years trying to get self taught on history. It's my strongest interest but I have no talent for it.

I started tackling the Roman Empire about a year ago. I made a huge mistake in leaving my Roman studies for so late -- partly for the reasons you've mentioned. It's harder. I finally got so far into other kinds of history (Christian, Russian, and various European countries) but all things led back to the Roman Empire, and there was no longer any avoiding it. I wish I had tackled it earlier because there is almost nothing in the western world that doesn't go back to the Roman Empire. I think you can't be well read (especially in history) if you're not familiar with the Bible and with the Roman Empire.

There are a ton of great books on the 20th century, communism, WWII, the holocaust, etc. They are super easy to understand and learn on your own.

It might just be me but I think the history of the Roman Empire is different. I'd love to have had some structure, discussion, and had someone recommend some good books. That course sounds like a perfect overview because it will cover all the most important stuff: the rise of Christianity, the split of east and west empires, the peak of the empire (when the Romans left their ruins in Ace's backyard), and the barbarian invasions. You will get all the major emperors, the sex and violence, the popes, etc. Right now, I probably love european medieval history best and the Romans' fingerprints are everywhere. (The Vikings too!)

If you do go with Rome at some point, it was very helpful to me to buy a classical dictionary (I can look up any person, place, or thing and get a little synopsis to remind me about them/it) and an atlas with lots of historical maps (it shows the empire at various stages, maps of the invasions, where the Roman provinces were located, etc. )

[QueenAdrock]

My basic goal is trying to find classes to fit with my schedule. I was lucky this semester, because I managed to get in Scandinavian History, Nazi Germany, Balkans, Mid-East Civilizations, and Immigration/Ethnicity in the US. Next semester won't be so lucky.

As of right now, I just want to graduate. And I saw a sweet Museum Studies/Historical Preservation master's degree program at UNC that I might look into more in a few years (doubtful, because of money and location, but whatever).

Does anyone else who have a major in history get that shit question of "Ooh! History? What do you plan on doing with that once you graduate?" How about WHATEVA THE FUCK I FEEL LIKE! And don't tell me TEACHING is a good option just because you don't know of anything else! Assholes.

[Documad]

A lot of history majors go to law school -- not that I'm suggesting it. :)

I have a friend who got a Masters in museum studies and now she's working on her PhD in American studies. I would have loved to have been a student forever.

[QueenAdrock]

I was thinking law school. But I was also thinking about how I really don't have a plan after I graduate, and can just use my degree to do research for the government or something. A lot of history students end up in areas that have nothing to do with history, which would be just fine for me. As long as I didn't get a 4-year education for a job that could have been gotten out of high school, I'll be happy. I hear the degree is flexible, like most liberal arts degrees; it just shows that you're trainable and work hard because it takes determination to go through all 4 years of college. Or something.

[Documad]

If I ran an organization, I'd hire lots of history majors. Most of the people I like at work were history majors. History majors tend to remain inquisitive and they're good at learning things on the job. In my limited experience. :)

The first job is difficult. After that, where you go has a lot more to do with your people skills than with your education.

Lots of people go to law school because they don't know what else to do and they're not good with science. That's a really bad reason to go to law school, and they generally make unhappy lawyers with tons of debt. I never encourage anyone to go to law school until they have some work experience and an articulate reason for going. But history majors tend to do better in law school than English majors.

[QueenAdrock]

wooooo people skills! Yeah, I've had a job as a dental secretary for a little over two years, which I feel will give my resume a boost because I paid for school and worked while I went full time. Right? I hope so. :(

Everyone tells me experience with having a job is more important than education, so um, I hope they're right since I've been working since I was 15.

[Documad]

wooooo people skills! Yeah, I've had a job as a dental secretary for a little over two years, which I feel will give my resume a boost because I paid for school and worked while I went full time. Right? I hope so. :(

Everyone tells me experience with having a job is more important than education, so um, I hope they're right since I've been working since I was 15.
For some jobs, I put in my cover letter that I worked full time while going to school at night because I wanted to show that I could work hard and juggle responsibilities. That mattered to one of the first employers I had.

People skills are something that I don't think you can teach so I'd go with the candidate with people skills. Same thing with common sense.

[Drederick Tatum]

Does anyone else who have a major in history get that shit question of "Ooh! History? What do you plan on doing with that once you graduate?" How about WHATEVA THE FUCK I FEEL LIKE! And don't tell me TEACHING is a good option just because you don't know of anything else! Assholes.

haha, all the time. usually it's from fuckface commerce and law students. fuck them.

[monkey]

my brother loves history. he wants to get his phd and teach just so he can constantly learn more about history. that's his major in college now. he doesnt understand why you have to take so many other classes when you "go to college to become an expert in a field". i told him that's grad school. ehh... my brother is quite fascinating like that.

[discopants]

I'm doing the Roman Army as one of my courses this year. We might be off on a field trip to Chester, reminds me of being back at school and the trips we went on then.

Personally I love Ancient Greece with emphasis on the Peloponnesian War 531 BC to 404 BC.

[little j]

you can live with me and seth and teach history at the local middle/high/elementary/college/school.

ok.

[QueenAdrock]

wouldn't that be awkward with all the butt sex that's gonna be going on?

unless I'm invited, of course