This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Calendar

SES # TOPICS KEY DATES
1 Introduction to Class and Requirements  
2

Transatlantic Contacts and Indian Ocean Encounters

Discussion: Letter from Columbus

  
3 Indian Ocean Encounters; Conquest in the New World  
4 Discussion: Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun  
5 Racism I: New World Slavery  
6 Discussion: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Equiano  
7 The Ottoman Empire;  Absolutism in Europe First paper due
8 Revolution in France  
9 Discussion: Abbé Sieyés; Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, and other documents from L. Hunt, The French Revolution and Human Rights  
10

Revolution in Haiti

Discussion: Readings and documents on Toussant L'Overture (from Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)

  
11

European Industrialization

Discussion: The World that Trade Created

  
12

Social Implications of Industrialization

Discussion: Documents on child labor and social conditions of industrialization, Smiles, Self-Help and Communist Manifesto

  
13 The (Mis)Measure of Man: Culture of Technology and Race "Science"  
14 From the Opium Wars to the Boxer Uprising in the Far East Second paper due
15 The New Imperialism and the Scramble for Africa  
16 Discussion of Chinua Achebe's, Things Fall Apart  
17 Cultural Transformation & Economic Genocide  
18 The Modern Metropolis and the Origins of Mass Culture  
19 Discussion: Advertising: The Magic System, and "From Salvation to Self-Realization"  
20 The First World War Third paper due
21 Socialism in the Soviet Union and China  
22 World War II  
23 Discussion: Heda Kovaly, Under a Cruel Star  
24

Decolonization

Discussion: Short Excerpt from The Wretched of the Earth

  
25 The Cold War Fourth paper due
26 "Globalization"?  
  Final Exam