History 326 - Compar./Early Modern Empires

This research seminar examines the history of Qing China (1644-1911), the Ottoman Empire (1299-1922), and the Russian Empire (1721-1917) in the early modern era. The course is organized thematically and introduces important conceptual frameworks in historical inquiries. Students are to explore emergent research in state formation, economic development, social changes, and cultural dynamics. The central questions to be considered include the role of the state as well as its negotiation with varied ruling mechanisms within each of the three expansive landmass empires. Comparisons are to be drawn with maritime empires when needed to address the issue: what we talk about when we talk about empire.

Prereq: Students must have taken at least one 100-level introductory course in either Asian or European history.