History

This course examines the history of technology since the late 18th century. It covers both the major tenets of the development of technology during the past two centuries and major debates among historians of technology. It also covers major technologies that have influenced and changed modern society, such as the steam engine, railways or the computer, and also explores how new technologies and modern society influenced each other. The scope of the course is global, but it will particularly focus on developments in Europe, North America and East Asia. 

This course examines the history of the First World War while challenging the traditional West-centered narrative of a War that starts in 1914 and ends in 1918. Alternating micro and macro approaches, it examines the main aspects and events in the military, political, cultural, social, global history of the Great(er) War. The course will also serve as an introduction to an epistemology of history and its relationship with the social sciences. Topics to be addressed include: empires and nations; identity and nationalism; violence and social disciplining; logistics, technoscience and the sinews of warfare; gender and war; trauma and stigma; visual culture and propaganda; collective memory and oblivion.

This course examines New Zealand history in a global perspective. It covers the way forces of imperialism, colonization, capitalism and racial conflict have shaped modern New Zealand and its place in the world.

This course examines Spanish culture and society today through a study of its history and art. Topics include: Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Metal Age; Iberians and Celts; Roman Empire; Visigoths; Islam and Al Andalus; Christian kingdoms; late Middle Ages and Catholic Monarchs; empire of Charles I; Bourbons in Spain; Enlightenment; colonization and independence of American colonies; first and second republics; Franco dictatorship and transition to democracy; Spain and the European Union.

History often serves as the dramatic backdrop for many popular computer games we play today. Yet such historical representations are often riddled with misrepresentations and inaccuracies. This course provides the historical knowledge necessary to build a credible and coherent history based story for video‐games through the lens of some significant periods in European history such as the history of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire until Charlemagne and notable historical figures including Julius Caesar, Constantine the Great, Attila, and Theoderic. The course focuses on some already existing and very successful video‐games, namely the three versions of the Total War video‐game: “Rome: Total War” (2004) “Rome: Total War” (2005), “Attila: Total War” (2015). Through a better understanding of history, students acquire a firmer grasp of the value of historical knowledge and its rich potential for storytelling and the creation of compelling virtual worlds and online experiences.

This course examines the connection of global and local environments. Case studies will include historical responses to climate change in Europe and North America, the transformation of indigenous foodways and the urban development of Vancouver. 

The course analyzes the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East as presented in films, the point of view of the press, NGOs, international relations experts, and international law academics . Topics covered include the origin of the conflict, occupation of Palestinian territory, and Israeli national security.

This course examines the Middle East from Napoleon's invasion of Egypt to the end of WWI. Emphasis will be on the emergence of nationalisms in the context of European imperialism; political, social, and economic transformation; religion and ideology; and changing patterns of alliances.

This course studies the origin and evolution of national, ethnic and supranational identities, social and economic determinants of attitudes towards immigration, and the process of changing cultural values. Ethno-territorial conflicts in the contemporary world and the debate on the clash of cultures are covered, as well as the cultural dimension of regional integration processes, such as the case of the European Union.