Research Seminar (395-0-20)
Topic
Imperialism in Asia
Instructors
Melissa A Macauley
847/491-3418
Harris Hall - Room 344
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-319: Wed 4:00PM - 6:50PM
Overview of class
The history of "imperialism in Asia" is a global history. It involved virtually all of the European colonial powers: Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Germany and, of course, Great Britain. The United States joined the club in the nineteenth century and, unlike the rest of the colonized world, a non-Western nation, Japan, participated in this tradition of territorial conquest and cultural hegemony. Paradoxically, the Japanese simultaneously intensified the colonial experience and, by starting the war in the Pacific, inaugurated the process that led to decolonization and the emergence of independent nation states. This seminar will explore this history in its multifaceted dimensions, and students interested in Asian, European, American, and Global history are all welcome. The initial two-thirds of the seminar will be devoted to reading primary and secondary sources relating to colonialism and imperialism in East, Southeast, and South Asia. Naturally we will not be able to explore the topic in all its dimensions in just a few weeks, but we will learn from each other. The latter third of the course will be devoted to the research and writing of a term paper on any topic of your choice relating to the history of imperialism in these regions, whether from the historical perspective of the perpetrators or the victims. The purpose of this exercise is to enable students to write the sort of polished term paper that is not usually possible within the hectic confines of the quarter system. You will be afforded the time and personal attention necessary to write a good paper.
Learning Objectives
To obtain a basic understanding of the colonial experience in Asia; to improve critical reading skills; to improve one's ability to research and write history.
Evaluation Method
Discussion, short paper relating to term paper project, final term paper.
Class Materials (Required)
All the assigned readings will be uploaded on Canvas
Class Notes
Concentration: Americas, European, Asia/Middle East
Class Attributes
Historical Studies Distro Area
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Freshmen may not register for this course.