History of Capitalism, 1500-1850 (353-0-20)
Instructors
Robin Duffin Bates
847/467-4839
Harris 242
Meeting Info
University Hall 101: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
In 1500, Europe was a relatively unimportant backwater, overshadowed by richer, more populous and scientifically advanced societies in China, South Asia, and the Middle East. Yet, by 1800 - the blink of an eye, historically speaking - Europe had become the most economically dynamic region of the world, as the emergent social relations of capitalism reordered its states and connected them to different regions of the globe in surprising new ways. How and why did this happen? What were the consequences for everyone else?
As we consider and evaluate competing answers to these questions, we will investigate ongoing debates on issues including: the ultimate source of wealth; the cultural, political and personal consequences of marketization, commodification and consumerism; the formation and stratification of social classes; and the forces that drive economic globalization.
Learning Objectives
You'll learn to: 1) Identify and explain historical events, processes, and actors crucial to the development of capitalism; 2) Understand and interpret primary and secondary sources that have both shaped the history of capitalism and have attempted to narrate that history; 3) Appreciate how the economic history of the past has shaped capitalism as it exists today, as well as the manner in which narratives recounting the historical development of capitalism express present-day judgments about the nature of the contemporary economy; 4) Make original arguments based on your independent reading of sources, express these arguments in advanced academic writing, and situate your conclusions in a meaningful historiographical context.
Evaluation Method
Participation: 25% Evaluating an Argument Assignment: 25% Take-Home Midterm: 25% Primary Source Analysis: 25%
Class Notes
Concentration: European
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Historical Studies Distro Area
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Associated Classes
DIS - Harris Hall L04: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM
DIS - University Library 4770: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM
DIS - Harris Hall L05: Fri 3:00PM - 3:50PM