Global History and Geography (HIS 281)
This course will be conducted on the basis of two, interrelated goals. On the one hand we hope to gain a firm and useful grasp of the physical features of the Earth and of its contemporary political organization. On the other hand, we aim to achieve fluency in the major events and themes of modern global history. This second task will start with a brief look at planetary history and the arrival of humans, and then skip to the 16th century, when the two hemispheres were re-united, and proceed through to the end of the twentieth century. We will consider the theoretical and methodological problems presented in trying to view the past from a global perspective while at the same time acknowledging and pondering the undeniably global nature of our contemporary problems and sensibilities. Requirements: attendance and participation; periodic quizzes and exercises; a mid-term and a final exam.
