European History

An introduction to the diverse peoples and societies of Europe and the Mediterranean. The course focuses on the formative period and provides a firm chronological basis for understanding the interaction, evolution, and achievement of these peoples and societies in the ancient, medieval, and early modern period. 

Reflection on and analysis of Western traditions organized thematically: the Age of Absolutism; the Enlightenment; the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic period; the liberal, national, and industrial forces of the 19th century; imperialism and the issue of power and domination, the political and moral crises of the 20th century.

A survey of Roman history from the beginning to the death of Augustus, the first emperor. Discussion will focus on sources from myth, history, epigraphy, and archaeology. Historians include Livy, Polybius,Plutarch, Sallust, and Cicero.

Great Britain built the largest of the European overseas empires. This course follows both a chronological and thematic approach to the history of this empire. Students will consider the causes of imperial expansion, varying conceptions of empire and the imperial mission, diverse forms of imperial rule, the impact of empire on indigenous societies and on Britain itself, independence struggles, and decolonization. Within a broad geographic scope, special attention will be placed on British India and Africa.