Courses

A study of principle themes in United States foreign policy with in-depth review of post Second World War presidential periods. Students analyze the causes and results of American policy choices in the context of evolving world order. The course explores philosophy and leadership styles.

A study of the history of the Christian church from the turn of the first century to the eve of the sixteenth century Reformation, with attention to the persons, events and issues involved in the major developments of Christianity.

An examination of the development of the Christian church from the late medieval period through the early twenty-first century. Key topics include: the Protestant and Catholic reformations; the Great Awakenings and the rise of modern evangelism, fundamentalism, and the growth of modern missionary movements, along with a consideration of significant individuals, changes in theology, institutions, devotional practices, gender roles, and attempts to engage and shape culture.

An examination of the historical development of the family in the modern era. There is a central focus on the formation of families and households and the impact of religion on gender and family roles. The course integrates contemporary gender theory, but concentrates on the lives and ideas of historical actors as they are revealed in the historical record.

This course will involve an examination of the major themes of sub-Saharan African history from 1500 to the partition of Africa following the Berlin Conference of 1884. Primary emphasis will be on the nature of African societies and the political, social, and economic consequences of their interaction with Europe. Special attention will be given to issues such as the origins and nature of African societies; the rise and impact of the slavetrade; the growth of the European presence and the nature of European imperialism; and the onset of direct European colonial rule and the African response to it.

This course will involve a survey of Sub-Saharan African history since the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. Primary emphasis will be on a variety of regions at various stages of their development, while exploring the roles of colonial power, emerging nationalisms and the politics of underdevelopment.

A cultural and political history of China and Japan since 1900 with an emphasis on late twentieth century issues. Course includes discussion of Hong Kong and Taiwan as Chinese territories and Korea as a primary neighbour of China and Japan. Of special interest are the relations of Japan and China with the United States.

An examination of some major theses in the history of the Arab Middle East since the breakup of the Ottoman Empire following World War I. The course examines the role played by issues of identity in the development of national structures in the Arab East (Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States). Themes include: the nature of the Islamic community, the structure and legacy of the Ottoman rule, post-Ottoman settlement and the impact of colonial rule, the emergence of nationalist politics and the growth of contemporary Arab state system, oil and the politics of family rule in the Gulf States, and the relationship between religion and politics.

A survey of the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The historical roots of the conflict, issues of land ownership and immigration, the development of national consciousness, and the process of state formation within both communities, impacts on the larger international community, and problems of peacemaking.