Imperialism
History 401/501
Fall Semester 2001
Admin 208 Tuesdays 3:30-6

Dale T. Graden 
Office: Admin 305 A
Office Hours: Monday 3:30-4:30 or by appointment
Office telephone: 885-8956
Email: Graden@uidaho.edu
www: http://www.its.uidaho.edu/Graden/

The purpose of this course is to offer an overview of colonialism and imperialism from the 15th century to present. Obviously, this is a big topic that covers all parts of the globe. Therefore, I have chosen broad themes that include specific historical events of relevance. These include European colonialism from the 15th to 19th centuries, European expansion in Africa from the 15th century slave trade through the 20th century, and United States imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. Through readings, discussion and films, we will study the complex relationships between metropoles and “peripheries” in modern history.

It is imperative that you attend the class meetings, and that you do the readings. Please come to each seminar meeting prepared to discuss the week’s reading. The quality of the discourse in the classroom depends upon your preparation and commitment. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time. Please, feel free to challenge my interpretations of history and culture or share with other members of the section your own insights. My days are enhanced significantly when I learn about new ideas and your perspectives. My goal is for this to be one of the great learning experiences in your journey.

I reserve the right to determine a grade based on attendance and participation. If you miss more than four class meetings during the semester, your final grade will drop by a grade. If you cannot attend a class for health or other reasons, please leave a note in my mailbox in the department of history (Admin 315) or send a message via email to let me know. I pay close attention to attendance. I emphasize to you that your involvement makes a class of this nature a worthwhile endeavor for everyone.

There will be three (3) short papers of two to four (2-4) typed pages required. Everyone is required to write on Benjamin et al., The Atlantic World (due September 11) and/or chapter four, “Orientalism” in The Edward Said Reader (due October 2). Other suggested critiques are listed below on the syllabus. If there is another book that you would prefer to read, please communicate the title to me and we can consider it as an alternative. Each paper is worth thirty points (30) points, and your participation is worth ten (10) points. 

If you are taking the course for graduate credit, I request that you write two (2) critiques and a longer paper of ten to thirty pages (10-30 pages) on a topic of your choice.

The three book critiques are assigned to help you to learn how to write effectively and to ensure that you come to the specific discussion meeting prepared to talk about your ideas and interpretations. These essays should address some theme(s) that you consider relevant from the assigned reading. The short paper is not a “book report.” Rather, it is a critique of the book that you have read. I want to read about your ideas and observations and critical analysis, and not an overview of what the author has written. Show me that you have read and thought about the book. According to the law of effective writing, the paper should begin with an introduction, and the last sentence of the introductory paragraph should inform the reader (me) of the central theme or focus of the critique. Then construct coherent paragraphs that analyze in a logical manner the topic. Finally, finish with a conclusion.

Please, write the paper a few days before the due date, so that you can return to the computer at least once before you hand it to me. This will enable you to make corrections and refinements. I have read hundreds of these short papers, and know when someone has scribbled down a bunch of ideas the night before and when the assignment has been approached seriously. I believe that these short papers are among the most important exercises that you can do as a student at a university. And you have asked why?!! Because the majority of students graduate from universities and colleges across the land unable to write two to four coherent pages on a specific topic or reading. I hope that you find the readings challenging and stimulating. In other words, I hope that the assigned readings make you feel like you want to take pen (computer) in hand to write down your ideas. The discussion offers a great opportunity for you to share with the class your ideas, impressions, sentiments, worldview, etc. I am convinced that we all have much to gain by engaging in a reasoned and critical dialogue with each other, no matter how much you might agree or disagree with the viewpoint of other persons. Late papers will not be accepted. You are welcome to write as many papers as you like, and such initiatives will be considered in my final evaluation of your work and involvement in this course. Also, I encourage you to take advantage of the great opportunities that are available to you at the UI writing center.

The New York Times is available weekdays at a reduced rate for UI students during this spring semester. It is also available online on the web. This newspaper provides useful domestic and international coverage of stories and themes related to imperialism. I encourage you to subscribe and read or skim this newspaper (and others!) every day.

The following books are available at the UI Bookstore and are on reserve in the library.

Benjamin, Hall, Rutherford, eds., The Atlantic World in the Age of Empire
Conklin and Fletcher, eds., European Imperialism, 1830-1930
Bayoumi and Rubin, eds., The Edward Said Reader
Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible
Cynthia Enloe, Bananas, Beaches and Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics
Pablo Neruda, Canto General

August 28: Introduction

September 4: European colonial expansion from the 15th century

Reading: Benjamin et al., The Atlantic World, 1-132. Recommended is Carlos Fuentes, The Orange Tree.

"Origins of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict" to be presented by Zina Schaker on Thursday September 6 at 7:30 pm

Guest speaker Zina Schaker of the Catholic University of Lyon will speak on the history and current events in Palestine and Israel. Zina will speak at 7:30 pm in the UI College of Law Courtroom.

September 11: The World Economy and the Age of Revolution, 1770-1825

Reading: Benjamin et al., The Atlantic World, 133-245. Critique number one is due on any of the readings from The Atlantic World.

September 18: The international slave trade and sugar plantations in the Americas

Reading: Bayoumi and Rubin, eds., The Edward Said Reader, 347-67.
On reserve and recommended is Edward Said, Culture and Imperialism. Also recommended is Barbara L. Solow, ed., Slavery and the Rise of the Atlantic System and Barry Unsworth, Sacred Hunger.

View segments of the films "Sankofa," "The Last Supper," and "Dark Passages"

Discussion and then view the video "When the Century Was Young: Colonialism, Nationalism and Migration" (46m)

September 25: European imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries

Reading: Conklin and Fletcher, eds., European Imperialism, 1830-1930, 1-95.

View the video "Frantz Fanon: black skin, white mask"

October 2: Orientalism

Reading: Bayoumi and Rubin, eds., The Edward Said Reader, introduction and 63-113. Recommended is 169-94. Critique number two is due.

View the video "Edward Said on orientalism"

October 9: Resistance and Post-colonial discourse

Reading: Bayoumi and Rubin, The Edward Said Reader, 291-313. Recommended is Conklin and Fletcher, European Imperialism, 181-220. I encourage you to view the Emory University web page link at my website. Critique number three is due.

Film Zamani baraye masti asbha (A Time for Drunken Horses) will be shown on Thursday October 11th at 7 and 9 pm in Borah Theater. This Iranian film is highly recommended.

October 16: Europe and Africa

Reading: Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible. A recommended reading is Adam Hochschild, King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa.

View the videos "African Art: Legacy of Oppression" (13m) and "People's Century: 1947, Freedom Now" (53m)

"Cloud 9" to be presented October 17-21

The play "Cloud 9" will be performed from Wednesday October 17 through Sunday October 21 at the Hartung Theater. Times are 7:30 pm during the week and a 2 pm matinee on the Sunday. This is a great opportunity to see a great play. I request that everyone attend this play.

There will also be a roundtable discussion about the play and the themes involved on Friday October 19 at 2 pm (locale to be announced). This is an opportunity for you to discuss British imperial worldview and the "politics of gender, race and class, social norms and patriarchal structures." 

October 23: The US and Africa

Reading: Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible

Attend Eric Ward discussion on racist ideologies and hate groups. Eric represents the Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity. This talk will take place in Horizon Room of Commons, 3:30-5pm

October 30: Imperialism and Resistance as expressed through literature.

Reading: conclude Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible and discussion of the novel. Critique number four is due.

The Czech film Divided We Fall will be shown on Thursday November 1st at 7 and 9pm in Borah Theater.

November 6: Palestine and Israel

Bayoumi and Rubin, The Edward Said Reader, 114-68. Critique number five due.

Film Before Night Falls will be shown on Thursday November 8th at 7 and 9 pm in Borah Theater. This is a brilliant Cuban film about the life of the Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas.

November 13: Cultural imperialism

Reading: begin Cynthia Enloe, Bananas, Beaches and Bases.
Recommended is Conklin and Fletcher, European Imperialism, 139-79. Also recommended is John Tomlinson, Cultural Imperialism, on reserve; Sylvia Iparraguirre, Tierra Del Fuego: An Historical Novel, trans. Hardie St. Martin; Lewis H. Lapham, "The American Rome: On the Theory of Virtuous Empire," Harper's Magazine, August 2001, 31-38.

Thanksgiving

November 27: International militarism

Reading: conclude Enloe, Bananas, Beaches and Bases. Critique number six is due.
View film together during the seminar entitled “Il Postino”: “The Postman”

December 4: US and Latin America in the 20th century

Reading: Pablo Neruda, Canto General. Recommended is Pablo Neruda, Memoirs, on reserve. Also recommended (but out of print) is Joan Jara, An Unfinished Song: The Life of Victor Jara; Pamela Constable and Arturo Valenzuela, Chile Under Pinochet: A Nation of Enemies; Mark Ensalaco, Chile Under Pinochet.

December 11: conclusions

Reading: conclude Neruda, Canto General and discussion. Critique number seven is due.