HIST 112 Western Civilizations from the Renaissance to Today
This course begins with the Italian Renaissance and the voyages of
discovery and then considers the transformative developments of early modern and
modern Europe. Topics covered will include religious Reformations, Enlightenment and scientific revolution, colonialism, political revolutions (English, American, Haitian, French, and Russian), the rise of the nation-state, the age of global warfare, industrialism, and authoritarianism. A major emphasis will be on historical methods of analysis, in order to study these cultures within their particular political and social context. The course will also develop historical and cultural literacy, so that students can orient themselves in time and be fluent with some of the landmark events and cultures of the past. This course counts as a foundational course in History or Political Theory within the liberal arts core requirements.