History (B.A.)

This course provides an introduction to the history of post-independence Latin America. It studies the political, social, and economic history of the former American colonies of Spain and Portugal from their revolutions for independence through the present day. It is structured by three major themes: revolutions and reactions, nation building, and international relations. It pays close attention to the ways in which different social groups—men and women; people of Indian, African, European, and Asian descent; the upper, middle, and lower classes; city dwellers and country dwellers—participated in significant events.

The Civil War has been called the defining moment in our nation’s history. Not only did the conflict emancipate four million slaves, but it also settled a longstanding debate over American federalism and proved once and for all the success of the Founders’ experiment in republican government. Covering 1850-1877, this course analyzes the causes, course, and aftermath of the most momentous war in American history. It explores political, constitutional, military, economic, and social issues.

The Holocaust was the most significant human rights tragedy in twentieth-century history. Students are introduced to intentionalist and functionalist arguments concerning the origins of the Holocaust. Much consideration is given to the role of perpetrators in carrying out the Holocaust and of bystanders who failed to intervene. Memory of the Holocaust is analyzed through documentary films, oral histories, memorials, and the phenomenon of Holocaust denial.

This course investigates the history of the modern Middle East since the 18th century. It examines the political, economic, social, and cultural transformations of this period in the Ottoman Empire, its successor states, Egypt, and Iran. Topics include the encounter with Western imperialism, modernization, ideological change, revolution, and war.