This course examines how empires have shaped the course of world history from the age of exploration to the present. Chief focus is placed on the origins, practice, and decline of European empires, as well as on the lived experience of colonized peoples in Africa, India, and Asia. Topics include the economic, cultural, and social ramifications of empire, the rise of "scientific" racism; class and gender in colonial settings; the growth of nationalism; decolonization and post-colonial theory; and the emergence globalization. Course materials include historical narratives, biographical accounts and commentaries, scholarly analyses, and film. Recommended: HIST122 - Modern World Civilizations.
HIST370 is a 3 credit course.