HIST 848 National Identity in Britain 1300-1600

This class will examine political, economic, social, and cultural developments on a global scale from World War I to the 9/11 attacks. Topics will include the origins and aftermath of two world wars; the birth of mass movements, society, and consumerism; the crisis of democracy and the rise of communism and fascism as a response to economic depression; the emergence of the superpowers and resulting Cold War; modernization, conflicts, and revolutions in in Africa, Asia, Latin America; and the rise of religious fundamentalism at the end of the century. This course will challenge students to explore why history matters by using primary sources (especially period motion pictures) and secondary sources to understand the significance of major historical events and their impact on the ordinary men and women who experienced them.