History

The aim of the history department is that each student comes to an understanding of her own humanity through an understanding of the humanity of others. At all levels students learn to substantiate ideas with evidence, to use primary sources, and to read historical works with discrimination. The department encourages each student to acquire information about the local, national, and world communities and to perceive the relevance to herself of other cultures and other times.

History Courses 2007-2008

Class I

United States History
Class I studies United States history including colonization, the pre-Revolutionary War period, the Constitution, the Industrial Revolution, immigration, and the Civil Rights movement. Field trips to historical sites in Boston deepen students’ understanding of major themes.

Class II

Ancient Cultures
Students study ancient cultures, including Classical Greece, the Roman Empire, and China in the time of the Qin and Han dynasties with an emphasis on how geography influenced these societies.

Class III

Traditions and Encounters: Cross-Cultural Contacts in Global Perspective 600-1300 CE
This course examines cultural interactions across the Eurasian landmass, focusing on Chinese, Islamic and European civilizations. It includes study of major belief systems of these societies and addresses questions such as: how do global networks get established and how do a society’s traditions and values shape cross-cultural contacts and exchanges? 

Class IV

Birth of the Modern World: Wealth and Power 1300-1800 CE
What characteristics make the world “modern”? Why do shifts in power and wealth among peoples and nations occur? Why do civilizations rise and fall? This course explores these questions and more as we examine interactions of peoples from east to west along the Eurasian and North African landmasses—and the ultimate development of the modern world.

Class V Required Course:

19th- and 20th-Century Modern World History
This course examines historical developments from the Age of Revolutions to the present and explores the major events, ideas, and movements that have shaped the world community. Among the questions of global significance addressed are: Has the development of the modern world been a story of the inevitable “progress of civilization”? How have different regions of the world interacted so that almost every part of the world is linked by global, political, economic, and social systems? What values, institutions, and policies might shape the world’s future?

Class VI Required Course:

United States History
This course is a chronological and thematic exploration of the major recurring issues in American history from colonial times to the present. Selected topics range from defining America’s power and identity in the 18th and 19th centuries to the factors shaping American domestic and foreign policies throughout the 20th century.

Class VII

African History: Kingdoms, Colonies and Countries
African history covers historical topics and current issues of countries in Africa south of the Sahara through a study of primary documents, film and literature. The course examines West African kingdoms, traditional village life, colonialism, independence movements and concludes with an examination of the current issues facing Africa today. Meets the semester requirement of non-western history.

India: The World’s Most Dynamic Democracy
Explore the most diverse society on the planet—the world’s largest democracy – one of its oldest civilizations—the land that produced two of today’s most influential religious traditions: Hinduism and Buddhism—and the second most populous Muslim country in the world. This course will examine the ancient traditions that shape India today, the roots of colonialism and the establishment of an independent India in the 20th century. The course also addresses the question: will the forces of modernization that are rapidly pushing India into the forefront of the global economy enable India to address historical problems of poverty, overpopulation, and social and political division? Meets the semester requirement of non-western history.

Chinese History: Empire, Revolution and Reclaiming World Prominence
This course surveys Chinese history, stressing such topics as traditional China, China meeting the West, China in revolution, and China today. Students will also study aspects of Chinese culture such as art and religion through films and literature. Meets the semester requirement of non-western history.

Islamic World: Forces for Unity, Forces for Change
This course explores the history, politics, and culture of the world’s fastest growing religion and how its past has helped to shape the Islamic world today. With a focus on the Middle East, some of the topics included are the rise and spread of Islam, interactions with non-Islamic societies, and influences on world history and Middle Eastern politics today. Meets the semester requirement of non-western history.

Latin American History
This course begins by studying pre-Columbian Inca civilization and concludes by examining the political, social, and economic issues Latin America faces today. The course includes such topics as geography, the colonial era, relations between the United States and Latin America, and the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

Russian History: Czars, Commissars and Beyond
This course surveys Russian history and culture since the early czars to the present. Particular emphasis will be placed on the causes and course of the Russian Revolution, the development of Soviet communism and Russia today.

Class VIII Electives

American Social History: The Politics of Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality
This course focuses on the historical experience of African Americans as well as other racial and ethnic groups in an attempt to understand the meaning of race in our society. It also explores how race, class, gender, and sexuality affect the political, economic, and social life of the contemporary United States.

Genocide, Human Behavior and World Order
This course explores the emergence, evolution, and underlying causes of genocide and crimes against humanity in the 20th and 21st centuries. How should genocide be defined and conceptualized? What factors can explain this recurring phenomenon that has resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 million people within the past century? How compelling are these explanations when applied to different cases of genocide—Turkish campaigns against Armenians, the killing fields of Cambodia, the Nazi Holocaust, Stalin’s purges, and recent massacres in Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. As we explore theoretical explanations, we will ask whether genocide can be prevented and what constitutes “justice” for such actions.

Modern China: Global Partner, Competitor or Threat
This course will explore the forces that shape China today and the role it might play internationally in the 21st century.

Contemporary Issues 
Using the day’s newspaper as our primary text, students will discuss and debate the “hot button” issues in the news including such things as stem cell research, the death penalty, and health care reform. Students will also research and look at the way the media can influence public opinion.