History

As states topple in the Middle East in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, it is only fair to question whether the ouster of one government for another merits the term “revolution” or whether the fall of oppressive dictators has merely set the stage for other repressive regimes. What truly counts as a political revolution, and why do so many revolutions seem to end in failure? This course traces the history of modern revolutions, exploring both the historical and philosophical rubric of the American, French, Russian, and Iranian revolutions. Students read works by Locke, Rousseau, Kant, Marx, Trotsky, Arendt, Sayyid Ibn Q’ttb, and the Ayatollah Khomeini. Emphasis is also placed on the relevance of European Enlightenment thinkers on the formation of modern revolutionary ideals. The course concludes with an examination of the recent Arab Spring and an exploration of the ideological connections linking this movement to other revolutions that have come before it.

Over a century has passed since the beginning of the Great War, which President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed to be “the war to end all wars” but, tragically, only opened the door to another, even more devastating world war a quarter of a century later. This course explores how and why the Great War changed the course of history. Historical documents, poetry, short literary works, and films are integral to the study throughout the semester. The course begins by looking at England and Germany, the two most powerful nations in the world as the 20th century began, and traces their collision course in the fateful years leading up to 1914. The focus, however, is the war itself and its consequences. Students examine the horrors of trench warfare along the Western Front. Although the course centers on the war in Europe, attention is also paid to the global reach of the war, including the participation of African troops and the impact of their experience on the subsequent rise of independence movements on the African continent. Other short- and long-term consequences of the war, including the early rise of Adolf Hitler, are also highlighted. Students in this class take turns leading class discussions and participate regularly in online discussions as well. 

Northwest Africa (the Maghrib) enjoys a cultural identity distinct from the rest of the continent. Though often considered an Arab region, the Maghrib is actually a complex mix of Berber, Arab, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and sub-Saharan African cultures. The Maghrib enjoys an overwhelmingly Muslim majority while representing the westernmost pole of the Islamic world. Today the region is undergoing massive cultural transformation. Not only did the recent Arab Spring originate within the Maghrib, but also the shifting economics, increasing urbanization, and booming population of the area have all contributed to rapid and sometimes shocking new social dynamics. This course examines two of the most dynamic modes of change in northwest Africa: the roles of women and the forms of Islamic expression. Beginning with the colonial period, the course examines the emergence of political Islam and the women’s rights movement in modern Maghribi culture. Topics will include the role of the headscarf for modern women, the conflict between traditional and political Islam, and the emergence of a new and empowered female political class. Classical and contemporary sources are considered, and students have the opportunity to correspond online with feminists and political leaders within the Maghrib.

This course offers an introduction to Islam, the youngest of the world’s great religions. Using primary sources, secondary sources, sacred texts, ethnography, literature, film, and art, this class investigates the historical origins, the historical traditions, and the modern challenges of Islam. An attempt is made to stress the unity of Islam within the diverse ways of being Muslim. The course begins with an overview of modern Islam, focusing on how it is practiced on the edges of the Muslim world: Morocco and Indonesia. This course also looks at Muhammad as both a historical figure and a religious symbol. A discussion of the rapid spread of early Islam and the classical Islamic period follows. Students consider the role of Islam in the modern world and the effects of colonialism on traditional, non-Western modes of faith.

In this course, students explore the experiences of diverse groups of immigrants to the United States, from colonial times to the present. Placing their individual and collective stories in the context of the history of America helps learners understand different struggles encountered as a result of settling in a new country, as well as the complexities of US immigration policies. The course also draws from the rich history of diverse populations and immigration to Portland to facilitate understanding of local history in national and global contexts. The class explores different aspects of immigration that America faces today and how diverse groups of people continue to redefine what it means to be American. In addition to developing their discussion and public speaking abilities, students are afforded opportunities to hone their research, writing, and reading comprehension skills. 

This course considers the history of the United States from the perspective of Americans Indians. Beginning with an examination of the diverse indigenous nations that inhabited North America for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans, our study will draw from both primary and secondary documents to facilitate students’ exploration, understanding, and analyses of key concepts and events of American Indian history. Selected topics include, but are not limited to, the devastation of disease after contact with Europeans, the violation of treaties and agreements in the colonial era, the destruction and removal of nations from tribal land, the early reservation system and the “Christianizing” of American Indian children, the relationship and power dynamic between tribal leaders and the federal government, and the history of the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Emphasis will be placed not only on the impact of important events in US history on American Indians but also on the ways in which American Indians have influenced the country throughout their history and continue to do so today. Whenever possible, we will tie our discussions to contemporary issues ranging from national issues like the debate over Indian sports mascots to local ones like the Maine-Wabanaki State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Starting with the pre-Socratics, this course surveys major trends in both ancient and modern Islamic, Jewish, and Christian philosophies from roughly 300 BCE to 1900 CE. Along the way, students read and analyze the works of Plato, Aristotle, Ibn Sina, Al Gazali, Aquinas, Maimonides, Descartes, Leibniz, Hume, and Kant. This course examines the nature of philosophical inquiry while stressing the ancient Greek foundation for most philosophical questions. Students learn about the similarities between Western and non-Western philosophy. To better understand the arguments of the philosophers, students are expected to do slow, careful readings of philosophical texts and to respond to these texts in analytical prose.

As the deadliest and most widespread conflict in human history, World War II represents a fascinating and complex area of study. This course provides students with a multidimensional experience of some of the myriad narratives of this monumental war through exploration of historical documents, film, and literature. Beginning with an introduction to the turbulent legacy of the Great War, students explore the rise of totalitarian regimes in Europe and Asia as well as the embattled status of democratic powers in the West. Topics discussed include Nazi racial theory, the rise of Imperial Japan, American isolationism, and the shifting role of the Soviet Union. Students are exposed to a variety of voices and narratives, including those of German civilians, Polish Jews, Japanese Americans, and members of the French Resistance. The course concludes with consideration of the far-reaching effects of the war, including the lessons of the Holocaust, the advent of the Cold War, and the implications of nuclear weaponry.

This course focuses on the United States since the end of World War II. Domestic issues include civil rights movements, anti-war movements, and the women’s movement, as well as a study of the backlash to the changes created by those movements. The course also investigates the American presidency—from Camelot and Watergate, to Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, to the polarization of US politics in recent years with the changing nature of conservative and progressive coalitions. Emphasis is also placed on the role of the US as a global power from the end of World War II and the resulting Cold War to the present, including the formation of the United Nations and NATO, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, and US actions in Central and South America, the Middle East, and the Far East. Primary source documents form the basis of class readings, and students are expected to be conversant about current events. Students take an active role in contributing to and leading class discussions. Prerequisite: completion of US history requirement.

A free press is the foundation of an informed electorate and is central to democracy. From early newspapers and pamphlets to Instagram and Twitter, the use, control, expansion, and advancement of the press in the United States have influenced culture, norms, public sentiment, and public policy. Students explore who controls the press and the impact of the shift from small publishing houses and local newspapers to global media empires. The class also delves into the study of advancing technology and its effect on the press and accurate reporting of the news. Projects may include a survey of the accuracy of news reporting, a weekly blog on the news, interviews of news reporters from different media, and a larger project on the impact of the press on a current news event.