BA Degree Programme

• BA Curriculum

• Course Description

Course Description

HIST 111 Introduction to History    (2h)

        This course studies history as a science, and looks into its ties with other sciences. It also studies the accumulation and progression of historical studies throughout the ages.

 

 HIST 112 Migration of Arab Tribes     (3h)

         This course studies the causes behind the migration of the Arab tribes. It looks deeply at the causes that led to such migrations, the stages they passed through, and consequences of such movements on the people.

 

 HIST 123 Greco- Roman History    (3h)

         The first part of this course deals with the early era of Greek history from the Bronze Age to the rise of the cities of Athens and Sparta.The Second Part Concentrates on Italian history and the influence of Greeks on the people who lived in Italy.  Then the course deals with the establishment of Rome, the unification of the country, and the types of governments which appeared in Rome, finally the clash between republican Rome with Cartagena, then the Hellenistic monarchies in Macedonia, Syria and Egypt.

 

 HIST 131 Ancient Near East1 History       (3 h)

         The course studies the peoples' history of this region and their interaction with their geographic and social environment since Pre-history age. The course studies the most important achievements in Mesopotamia, Syria and Egypt, and the reciprocal effects with Arabian peninsula societies.

 

 HIST 132 Ancient Near East History 2      (3h)

         This course introduces the latest results of research, investigations and their role in revealing the source of the ancient history of Mesopotamia and Syria from pre-history till the 3^rd century B.C. Also, the course presents the peoples' achievements in all aspects of life with special reference to the reciprocal influences with other civilizations.

 

 HIST 133 Ancient Near East History (3)       (3h)

         This course aims at introducing the main characteristics of ancient Egypt civilization till its collapse according to the most discoveries and research. Its reciprocal relations with other societies in the region are also studied.

 

HIST 141 (1) Arabia Ancient History         (3h)

        This course concentrates on the characteristics of Arabia's environment and trade activities and their effects on the people.  The course studies also the history of all states established in Arabia; their political systems, religion, and their inter-relations and  with outside.

 

HIST 142 Ancient Arabia History (2)          (3h)

        This course starts with a brief introduction to the development of the area in pre-history (2^nd and third millennium BC). It exploits all resources available, written or other wise, to study the development of the area and its relations with states in the south of the peninsula (first millennium BC).

 

HIST 143 Ancient Arabia History (3)          (3h)

        The course is confined to the study of the intellectual activities in the peninsula during the first centuries before Islam. It explores the Arabs' characteristic achievements before Islam.

 

HIST 145 Prophet's Biography         (2h)

        This course studies the history and biography of the prophet Mohammed.  It is divided into main parts: (1) his life in Mecca before and after being revealed to, and (2) his life in Al-Madina, the establishment of the state, and confrontation with internal and outside enemies.

 

HIST 146 History of the Orthodox Caliphs (i.e., Abu Baker, Umar, Uthman, and Ali   (2h)

        This course concentrates on the establishment of Caliphate, the rebellion movement during Abu Baker, the expansion of the state, the dissension during Uthman rule, and the establishment of the caliphate outside Arabia during the rule of Ali.

 

HIST 221 Sassanidae State History         (3h)

        This course studies the history of the Sassanidae state, its population, the Persian civilization during the first and second centuries before the Sassanidae state. The changes brought by the Sassanidae in all aspects of life and government, and the state's relations with other states in Arabia, Romans, Armenians are also explored.

 

HIST 232 Near East History in Hellenistic Age (3)      (3h)

       The course discusses the different view points dealt with the Hellenistic Age 323 30 B.C in ancient near east; the internal and external reasons that drove Alexander the Great to Conquer the ancient countries of the east, and his war strategies against Persia.  The Course also presents a discussion of Silencid Kingdom of Syria and Mesopotamia, and the Ptolemic Kingdom of Egypt.

 

HIST 233 Arabia in Ancient Texts       (3h)

       The course introduces the student to the written texts available that deal with the history of ancient Arabia especially those written in the cuneiform.  The royal Assyrians texts give the earliest information about the Arabs, their lands, and their connections with the rest of the world.  The course includes the study of written documents and the analysis and evaluation of the historical content of these texts.

 

HIST 234 Greco- Romans Civilization         (3h)

        This course deals with two points: (1) It studies some aspects of the early civilization in Greece, the Greek literature since the epics of Homer,  Trojan war, Greeks' religion and their myths, their poetry and prose. (2) It discusses the effects of geographical environment on Roman societies, the establishment of Rome, the social structure of the Roman society, religion, art, languages, and literature.

 

HIST 242 Umayyad State History     (3h)

        The subject starts with an introduction to the most important references about the subject, the roots of Umayyad family, its role in the society, their Caliphate, the Umayyad role in conquests, administration, civilization and culture, and finally the fall of the Umayyad Dynasty in123 A. H/ 750 A.D..

 

HIST 243 Spread of Islam in Asia and Africa    (3h)

       The course studies the spread of Islam as a religion only.  It explores the causes, methods and consequences of spreading of Islam starting in Arabia, then into Asia and Africa.  

 

HIST 244 Economic History During Islamic Ages     (3h)

       The course studies the influence of Islam on the economic changes as from the beginning the Prophet era in Al-Medina and the developments in Arabia and the conquered lands.  It deals also with the economic developments and transformations in all fields through ages up to the Mameluke dynasty.

 

HIST 253 Islamic Historiography    (3h)

       The course starts with an introduction about historiography, and then it moves to the study of Islamic historiography, reasons for historical writings, evaluation of Islamic historiography, and a condensed conclusion about the most important books in Islamic history.

 

HIST 261 Medieval Europe         (3h)

       The course explains what the term "Medieval Europe' means in terms of place, time. Then it moves to explain the main pillars of medieval Europe, its relations with Byzantines, Muslims in Spain, and caliphate centers in Cairo and Baghdad.

 

HIST 262 Byzantine Empire History       (3h)

       This course covers the historical development of the Byzantine empire, the 3^rd century's crisis, the establishment of Constantinople and its relations with its neighbors, in particular, in Arabian peninsula, Islamic caliphate in Al-Madina, Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo, up to its downfall at the hands of the Ottomans 857 A.H. 1453 A.D.

 

HIST 311 Historical Research Methodology    (2h)

       This course explores the scientific method, explains its function, and studies its main and secondary resources.  It also studies the way to choose a subject for historical analysis, how to put a plan, to authenticate references, and finally how to write in a scientific methodological way.

   

HIST 312 Historical Texts      (3h)

        It is a specialized sort of course. Students are expected to study historical courses either in Arabic or any other language which fits the specialization. The course aims at providing the student with a methodology to deal with historical or documentary texts.

 

HIST 316 Arabia in Explorers' Books        (3h)

        This course focuses on the main reasons behind Muslims and none Muslims expeditions to Arabia, their documents, their information about the political, economical and social life of the people, and their most important writings.

 

HIST 317 Non-Muslims In Islamic Ages      (3h)

         The course begins with an introduction about the nature of the Muslim State and the rules that govern the Non-Muslims inside, with especial reference to the covenant of Umar B. Al-Khattab (2^nd caliph) to them.  Then it covers the study of their obligations, rights and general conditions under the Muslim rule. 

 

HIST 319 History of the Fatimids       (3h)

         This course studies the pillars of the Isma'ili Call, the rise of the Fatimids in Africa and their expansion into Egypt, Syria and Arabia, and their decline and eventual fall.  It also studies the economic, social, and scientific life of the state under their rule.

 

HIST 321 Arabia from 3rd A.H.Century to the Ottoman Conquest (1)   (2h)

         This course starts with a general idea about the conditions in Arabia during the first Abbasid caliphate. Then it surveys the political and military changes in the Abbasid period during the third and fourth century and their influence on Arabia.

 

HIST 322 Arabia from the 3rd A.H. Century to Ottoman Conquest (2)   (2h)

This course covers many topics the most important of which are:

1. The Ayyubid influence on Arabia and the decline of the Shiite sects.

2. The Emirate of Banu Katadah and Banu Abi 'Utayy II in Hijaz and  the Mameluke influence over the two Holy Mosques.

3. The Rasuli state, the Tahiri state and the Zaydii Imamate in Yemen.

4. Hajj caravans and their effect on the people of Arabia during the   Mameluke and the Ottoman periods.

5. The political situation in Najd and the movements of the Arab    tribes between the seventh and the twelfth century A.H.

 

HIST 324 KSA (1)   (2h)

         The course studies the period from the middle of the 12^th century A. H  to the start of the 14^th century A. H in Arabia. This period includes the  establishment of the first Saudi Kingdom, Abdulwhaab's call, his alliance with the Emir of Diriyyah, and the role of the Ottoman and Egyptian forces in putting an end to the state.

 

HIST 341 Abbasid Caliphate     (3h)

        This course concentrates on the establishment of the Abbasid dynasty, opposition movements, its foreign relations, the state under the Ottomans influence, and the fall of the state in 656 A.H.

 

HIST 342 Umayyad Dynasty In Spain (3)         (3h)

        This course studies the political, economical, social and cultural history of Spain from the Islamic conquest in 711 A.D till the Fall of Granada in 1292 A.D.

 

HIST 343 Moslems and Crusaders         (2h)

        The course covers the study of the causes of crusades' invasion, the general conditions in Moslems' land on the eve of the crusaders' invasion, the establishment of the crusaders' kingdoms and principalities, the wars between them, and the defeat of the crusaders at the end

 

HIST 345 Islamic semi-states in the East (Mesopotamia)     (3h)

        This course focuses on the factors that led to the establishment of  Khawarizmeih, Ghaznaweih, and Zaydeih Emirates, and their economical and social environments.

 

HIST 346 Islamic Semi-states in the West (Maghreb)     (3h)

        This course focuses on the Maghreb history, Islamic conquest, the establishment of independent and semi-independent states, and the Maghreb unity under the rule of AL-Murabeteen and Al-Muwahideen.

 

HIST 348 Ayyubid and Mamelukes History         (2h)

        The course studies the factors that led to the establishment of the Ayyubid dynasty, the role of Salah-Eldin in uniting Moslems against the crusaders, the general conditions during the Ayyubid period up to the rise of the Mameluke state, the rise of the Mamluk state, its foreign relations, and its confrontations with the Mongols and crusaders.

 

HIST 349 Mongols and Eastern Moslem States            (3h)

        This course studies the establishment of the Mongol state, its expansion, the Mongol invasion of the Islamic world, Mongol Muslim states in the Islamic East, and the Mongols' role scientifically, economically and culturally.

 

HIST 351 Islamic Civilization         (3h)

        This course is an introduction to the Islamic civilization, its pillars, the growth and development of sciences, arts, and literature. It also studies its administration and system of government.

 

HIST 352 History of literacy in Islamic Ages       (3h)

        This course studies the role of Islam in urging people to pursue every avenue to knowledge, the role of mosques and special teaching circles in teaching, private Islamic schools, teaching in the two holy mosques in Mecca and Al-Medina, teaching of women, students, Islamic books and methodology.

 

HIST 353 Islamic Civilization's Influence on Medieval Europe.    (3h)

        This course studies briefly the foundations of the Islamic civilization, its development and prosperity, places of contact between Europeans and Muslims, means of influence such as direct contact or the translation of Islamic books in science, medicine, philosophy, literature and arts.

 

HIST 371 European History from Renaissance to Vienna Conference     (3h)

        In addition to examining the main factors that led to the Renaissance, this course concentrates, amongst other things, on the Renaissance's main characteristics, the geographical discoveries, European world-wide expansion, missionary campaigns, Spanish hegemony, England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, France hegemony in the fourteenth century, American Independent wars, French Revolution, and the rule of Napoleon till 1815 A.D.

 

HIST 415 History of the Gulf and South of Arabia (1)       (3h)

        This course concentrates, amongst other things, on the Portuguese's attacks on the Gulf and south Arabia since the 16^th century, Portuguese's expansion and collapse, international competition and its consequences on the Gulf and south Arabia, the British dominance over the area in the 19^th century till the World War I.

 

 HIST 416 History of Gulf and South of Arabia (2)     (3h)

       This course studies the rise of Arabic semi-states in the Gulf and south of Arabia and their internal and foreign relations. It also studies their political, economical developments, and the area's foreign relations from the 1^st  world war till the British withdrawal from Yemen and the Gulf.

 

HIST 418 History of Muslims in Asia and Europe (Special subject)    (3h)

         This course discusses some of the Muslims' societies in Asia in Modern History particularly in India, Sind (Pakistan), Khuwarazim (Iran) and in what was known as the Soviet Union.  It also studies Muslims in Eastern Europe during the socialist regimes, and the Muslim minorities in previous Rumania and Yugoslavia amongst others.

 

HIST 424 History of KSA (2)      (2h)

        This course studies the history of the contemporary Saudi State (the third).  It starts with the general circumstances of Arabia with more emphasis on the Ottoman influence at the beginning of the 14th century A.H.  It also studies the rule of the dynasty of Al-Rashid in Najd, Imam Abdul-Rahman Al-Faisal's attempt to hold to the power in the region, the regaining of the area by the Saudi Emir Abdulaziz Ibin Abdulrahman who united Najid, his restoration of the Saudi authority over Al-Ahsa, his efforts in administration, education and the start of the Saudi development with the discovery of oil. The course studies also the reign of King Saud and King Faisal.

 

HIST 472 Ottoman Empire History     (3h)

        This course studies the rise of the Ottoman Emirate and its development into a large empire. The course touches on the conquest of the Ottomans to all Arab land, their effects on the Arabs, the deterioration of the Ottomans' constitutions and their final collapse in the 18^th century, and the general circumstances of the Ottomans till 1^st world War.

 

HIST 473 Modern Arab History    (3h)

        This course focuses, amongst other subjects, on the general characteristics of the Ottoman rule in the Arab land from the middle of 16^th century till the start of the 20^th century. It focuses also on the independent movements in Egypt and Mesopotamia in the 18^th century, the French campaign on Egypt, the Western colonization of the Arab land, study of the intellectual and political mainstream amongst Arab and Muslims thinkers in the 19^th century and the start of the 20^th century.

 

HIST 474 Modern European Modern History    (3h)

        This course studies, amongst other issues, the circumstances that led to the Vienna conference in 1815, the independence of Greece, the uprisings of 1830 and 1848 in some European countries, the Italian unity, the  German unification, the Russian Ottoman war and the international alliances that followed.  The course ends with discussing the political crises that led to 1^st world war.

 

HIST 475 Modern Arab History     (3h)

        This course studies the Arab contemporary history since the 1^st World War;  it concentrates on the political, economic and social development between the two World Wars.  It also discusses the national resistance movements against the European colonization, the development of the Palestinian cause and its effects on the contemporary history, the results of the 2^nd  World War till the end of the Suez crises in 1956.

 

HIST 476 KSA History (Special Subject )    (3h)

        This course discusses a number of subjects e.g., administrative, military financial regulations in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Saudi State. Or it may discuss the kingdom's stand from some Arab, Islamic or international issues.

 

HIST 479 History of Diplomacy (Special Subject)      (3h)

        This course traces the history of diplomacy from the earliest times to the present.  It starts with an introduction to the origin of diplomacy and the forms of diplomacy followed by the Greek, the Romans and the Muslims.  It also discusses with detail the development of diplomacy in modern times especially during the 19^th and 20^th centuries till the signing of the Vienna agreement for diplomatic relations in 1961.

 

HIST 481 New World History (Special subject)     (3h)

        The purpose of this course is to give a general idea of the geographical discoveries and the settlement in the New World, and the establishment of the Spanish, Portuguese, British and French colonies in the American continent.  The course also discusses the independence of the USA, the independence movements in Latin America, the American Civil War and its political, economic and social effects, and the situation in North and South America from the 1^st World War up to the present with reference to the rise of USA as a global super.

 

HIST 482 Far East History (Special Subject)     (3h)

        This course concentrates on the history of Far East by choosing one special subject of the region. A subject is chosen by the course professor. It should relate to the states of the region e.g. China, Japan, Korea, Indo-China (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand), Indonesia, and Malaysia. A special attention is drawn to the international relations that influence these countries.

 

HIST 483 Modern European History      (3h)

        This course studies the European history since the 1^st World War.  It concentrates on the history of the 1^st  World War, the results of the Peace Conference, the great depression of 1929, the rise of totalitarian regimes in Europe, the history of the 2^nd  World War and its results, and the European countries after the 2^nd  World War.

 

HIST 485 Modern Africa  History (Special Subject)    (3h)

        This course covers different areas in Africa since the beginning of the 15^th century till the 20^th century.  It concentrates on the governments and regions that were affected by Arab emigrations and the spread of Islam.  It also discusses the European rivalry over those areas and their partition by the Europeans at the end of the 19^th century.  Finally the course traces the rise of the independent movements in those areas, and the development of the African modern countries in the 20^th century.

 

HIST 499 Senior Project     (3h)

        This is a research paper in history to be written by a Senior Student under the supervision of a faculty member. The project should be discussed by a two members committee.  The research should be about one of the subjects chosen by the student in level eight.