History 349 - History of Capitalism

[TC/TR/TS] Over the past 500 years, capitalism has become the world’s dominant socio-economic system. Historians have taken many approaches to understanding its rise and the challenges to its ascendency. This course explores these interpretations, using an array of theories and case studies from around the globe. Participants will also investigate the ways that issues of class, race, gender, religion, and the environment have shaped these historical approaches, and we will speak with several of the historians whose works we read. Among the learning goals for the course is to help students evaluate the debates over how we understand the formation of our contemporary world. Enrollment capped at 24 to facilitate discussion. 

Spring semester. Professors Melillo and Qiao.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority given to History majors.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Close analysis of historical evidence, which may include written documents, images, music, films, or statistics from the historical period under study. Exploration of scholarly, methodological, and theoretical debates about historical topics. Extensive reading, varying forms of written work, and intensive in-class discussions.