|
|
|
Hist./Glob.3980 Spring 2004 EMPIRES PAST AND PRESENT This course, as its designation suggests, is cross listed both under the offerings of the Department of History and the Global Studies Program. It is one of the upper-level interdisciplinary, transnational, thematic electives for the Global Studies major. The purpose of the course is to study the question/phenomenon of empire. What is an empire? Are there more than one kind of empires? What are the criteria that made an empire a success and another a failure? Can there be empires in today's world? Is the concept of empire and that of a free and democratic society mutually exclusive? Is there the possibility of a modern empire in the near future and is the US the ideal superpower to create a new kind of benevolent empire? In order to answer the above questions we will study a number of empires which existed in the past, from ancient to modern times. Special attention will be placed on certain common themes which might help the class to better understand the possibility of a future US empire. The course will consist of readings, lectures, and in class discussion. There will be a mid-term and a final examination. Both the midterm and final exams will be essay type, knowledge from the readings as well as the lectures will be tested. The term paper will be 15 double spaced typed pages, minimum. (details in class) Grades are based on the following: Research paper 30% F= unacceptable level of performance. Required Readings Stephen Howe Empire Required Readings on Reserve J.P.V.D. Balsdon: Rome: The story of an empire Recommended Readings Dominic Lieven Empire Please note that while class attendance is not mandatory being in class on time is. Tardiness will not be tolerated. You are expected to attend ALL the guest lectures. An unexcused absence will mean an automatic 2% deduction (per absence) from your final grade. Late work will not be accepted without the instructor?s permission in advance. If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please call Disability Services at 523-2204
OUTLINE OF THE COURSE February 4 Introduction 6 Ancient empires 9-11 The Athenian empire (Samons pp. 28-35, 40-70, 81-89, 98-101, 107- 115, 117-120, 148-159, 241-279, 334-353) 13-18 The Roman empire (Balsdon pp. 7-194 on Reserve) 20 China: An empire or a culture? Thesis Due 23-25 Lesser known empires 27 Guest Lecturer March 1-5 Islamic empires (Stavrianos Ch. 5-6, 8 on Reserve) 8 Guest Lecturer 10-12 The "discoveries" and empire Bibliography Due 15 Early modern empires (Howe 1-5) Part I 17 Review 19 Midterm Exam 22-26 Midterm Break 29 Early modern empires (Howe 1-5) Part II 31-4/5 Modern notions of empire(Aldrich 3, Ferguson 1-3 ) April 7 The ?Scramble for Africa?(Aldrich 1-2 Ferguson 5, Kakutani on Reserve) Part I 9 Easter Break 12 The ?Scramble for Africa?(Aldrich 1-2 Ferguson 5, Kakutani on Reserve) Part II Draft Due 14 Guest Lecturer 16-19 Governing the world (Aldrich 4-8 Ferguson 4, 6 ) 21 The US and the idea of empire (Ninkovich 1-4, Folder I on Reserve) Part I 23 Guest Lecturer 26 The US and the idea of empire (Ninkovich 1-4, Folder I on Reserve) Part II 28 Guest Lecturer 30 Guest Lecturer May 3 Globalization?A new empire? (Steger 1-2)Paper Due 5 Guest Lecturer 7-12 Is a modern empire inevitable?/Desirable? (Steger 3-8, Ninkovich 5- 6, Folder II on Reserve) 14 Review 18 Final Exam 2:45-4:45
|