History

This course deals with the most important developments in the history of the media concerning social aspects and key perspectives on them; special emphasis is placed on Swedish circumstances and present-day social media, which are approached from a historical perspective. Students focus on the different historical forms of participatory media and the changing concept of the audience.

This course introduces main themes in the history of modern China through an examination of political, social, economic, and cultural development of China since 1900 with emphasis on the development of Chinese nationalism and on the rise, theory, and practice of Chinese communism. In addition to the above macro history perspective, this course providess a more microperspective to modern Chinese history. Topics include Taiyuan and Ruian, 1905; Beijing, 1919; urban life in 1930s China; Guangzhou 1927; Nanjing regime, 1927-1937; new China, 1950-1958; Cold War in 1950s China; the Great Leapforward; the Cultural Revolution; Deng Era; and Beijing, 1989.

This course traces the history of Ghana in considerable detail, the many influences to which Ghana was exposed throughout its existence, before, as well as after its independence; Christian missions, education, and social change; the growth of British colonial power and jurisdiction and Ghanaian reactions; Anglo-Asante wars; the era of "Scramble" for Africa; Ghana under British rule: social, political, and economic developments under colonialism; the rise of nationalism between 1900 and 1945; the impact of World War II; the struggle for Independence; Ghana since 1957: Kwame Nkrumah; the period of coups: 1966 to 1981; and the Second, Third and Fourth Republics.

This course builds on new scholarship which expands the study of the Cold War from a primarily bipolar, Western, superpower perspective to a truly global perspective not only geographically, but also thematically, giving voice to underrepresented perspectives. Through combining diplomatic, military, economic, and cultural history with elements of intelligence studies and International Relations theory, this course approaches the bipolar conflict in the broadest sense possible. This course complements The Transatlantic Cold War, which approaches the bipolar conflict mainly from an East-West perspective. It can be taken in conjunction with that course, since it covers an altogether new set of themes and regions, or by itself, since students become familiar with the relevant skills and contents during the course.

This course examines different ideas as to why some countries have flourished and others have failed to do so. Why are few countries rich and many poor? How can we explain big differences in wealth even within countries? If the turbulent development of countries like China and India is any measure to go by, we are likely to see major changes in the future. To understand how such economic transformations work, and what their effects might be, this course looks to the historical record. Why did the Industrial Revolution take place in England and not in China? Why could other western countries easily catch up with England, while large parts of Asia, Africa, and South-America remained underdeveloped? Many theories and concepts have been developed to help answer these questions, ranging from the role of climate, culture, or population, to the institutional approach that is currently fashionable. In this introductory course students discuss an overview of these theories and concepts, and analyze the social, economic, and political development of societies in different parts of the world from the Middle Ages to the present.

This course provides an overview of major currents in Jewish life across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa from the Enlightenment era to the creation of the State of Israel. Topics include continuity and rupture in Jewish cultural life and political and social status; interactions and influences between Jews in different geographical, political, and cultural spheres; the rise of modern antisemitism and Jewish responses; European and Middle East and North Africa Jews' respective roles in and reactions to the emergence of the Zionist movement; the Shoah; and the creation of the State of Israel.