History

This course explores the transformations of East-Central Europe after the fall of state socialism in 1989. Rather than providing a simple transition story of marketization and democratization, the course looks at multiple and ambiguous paths taken, understanding the history of neoliberalism and postsocialist transformation as global, intertwined phenomena. From the dominance of the markets and persisting inequalities to the rise of illiberal politics, racism, and nationalist tensions, these transformations have shaped the whole of Europe and the world. The course examines several issues of contemporary East-Central Europe and the world, including the region's position towards the West, the legacy of Communism, memory and decolonization, the formation of capitalism and its impacts, human rights, the links between nation and race, and the fate of liberal democracies.

From their very beginnings, cinema and then television have taken hold of French history. These productions for both the small and the big screen are the fruit of artistic and aesthetic choices, as well as the bearers of a certain historical perception. Sometimes taking a stand in debates about history and memory, they reflect the past as much as the context in which they were made. This course demonstrates how the history of France has been perceived in works of fiction broadcast on the big and small screens. It also looks at how these works contribute to social and memorial issues.

This course places modern Chinese history within the evolution of world history as well as the evolution of world history within modern Chinese history. The course discusses: the world capitalist system and its problems; the establishment of modern states; the characteristics of nationalism; the structure of agricultural society; the mentality of intellectuals; the problems of modernization and modernity; the modernization of China and Japan from a broadened historical perspective, and international hegemony.  Topics of discussion and research also include the influence of the national bourgeoisie; the fragility of the national bourgeoisie; the Chinese communist revolution; the tragic struggle between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, and the particularity of the labor movement.

The course covers the history of Europe from the late 18th century through to 1991 – from the French Revolution to the fall of the Soviet Union. Attention is given to social, cultural, economic, and political history, and the way these components have interacted. Lectures and seminars approach European history from a variety of angles. In chronological terms, the course highlights key moments in European history (wars, revolutions) that had continent-side repercussions. In geographical terms, it explores the uses, as well as the limits, of dividing European history into histories of discrete nations and states. In thematic terms, it looks at the formation and evolution of various collective actors—religious communities, classes, sexes, professions, generations - and consider how these groups have shaped and been shaped by historical change.

This course examines the lives of women in the Roman period. Topics include: traditional roles of women in Roman culture; representations of Roman women in archaeological and iconographic sources; historical roots of conceptions and perceptions of the feminine in the contemporary world.

The course explores different aspects of Danish culture such as literature, mythology, history, film, music, architecture, painting, the welfare state, and national identity. This course is a unique combination of lectures and excursions, which includes trips to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and Frederiksborg Castle. NOTE: This version of the course (50 A) represents the evaluation based on attendance only. It is worth 6 quarter units and is graded on a P/NP basis only.

This course examines the role of multinational corporations in history. It covers the economic and social contribution of big corporations to home and host countries; the damage the multinational corporations may have done to the world through their handling of natural resources and the environment; the contributions these companies may have made to inequality by their activities in the Global South; and how these huge and powerful organizations contribute to solve the ecological and social challenges we face today.