This course in comparative history explores the impact of modern revolutions and, to a lesser extent, of warfare on government and society. The course will examine some of the peculiarities and varieties of revolution from the eighteenth century to the present, focusing on war primarily as the precursor to revolution. The course will consist of four common readings along with group and individual reports. A final formal paper on a topic related to the course's focus will finish off the course. The final paper might deal with a revolt, revolution, or war for independence not discussed in class, or it might concentrate on supporting or challenging a particular theory of revolution.
Historiographical papers are still another possibility.
In deference to the varied areas of specialization of class members, it is also permissible to select a topic that predates the eighteenth century. This course will trace human migration from -1,000,000 C.E to 2,000 C.E., with a decided emphasis on the last part of the temporal sequence and the United States. The first half of the course will be dedicated to mastering basic facts about immigration, migration, and ethnic relations, and to coming to grips with the major scholarly interpretations of these subjects. Participants in the seminar will read, write short essays on, and discuss leading works in immigration and ethnic studies. In the second half of the course, each student will pursue a succinct primary research topic, with a final paper of about 12 pages due at the end of the term.