History

This course explores the creation, evolution, and subsequent disintegration of the Soviet Union, as well as the emergence of a new Russia from the wreckage of the world’s first socialist state. Emphasis is placed on key political, social, and cultural developments, seen within the context of Soviet, post-Soviet and, more broadly, European history.

This course examines the history of Palestine and Israel from the 19th century until the present. Rather than studying Israeli and Palestinian history in isolation, the course explores the relationship between the two national groups and the emergence of the Israeli state alongside the prolonged statelessness of Palestinians. Some of the topics include: contrasting narratives of Palestinian and Israeli history, the constituents of identity in late Ottoman Palestine and the formation of Palestinian and Israeli nationalism, Hebrew culture and the Arab encounter with Zionism, the impact of the Mandate period, the Arab revolt of 1936-39, the 1948 War and the birth of the Palestinian refugee problem, the political disappearance of the Palestinian question in Israel’s early decades, the rebuilding of Palestinian identity and institutions, and the fate of the two state solution.

This course explores the development and evolution of popular culture in Singapore from the colonial period to the present day. Students learn diverse topics including Singapore's changing religious landscape, wedding and death rituals, as well as varied forms of popular entertainment from street opera, amusement parks to radio and cinema. Students gain a sensitivity to change and continuities within historical contexts, better understand Singapore’s rich cultural heritage and improve skills in critical thinking, writing and presentation.