Explores the history of the Middle East and North Africa from late antiquity to the rise to superpower status of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. Topics include the formation of Islam and the first Arab-Islamic conquests; the fragmentation of the empire of the caliphate; the historical development of Islamic social, legal, and political institutions; science and philosophy; and the impact of invaders (Turks, Crusaders, and Mongols).

Surveys the political, social, and institutional growth of the Roman Republic, focusing on its downfall and replacement by an imperial form of government, the subsequent history of that government, and the social and economic life during the Roman Empire, up to its own decline and fall.

This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of African History.

This course surveys the history of modern Palestine/Israel. Using sources including scholarly texts, memoirs, newspapers, songs, short stories, posters, we study the history of this region from the mid-1800s to the present. Historical themes include colonialism in the region; the relationship between religion, nationalism, and ethnicity; rising violence and war; the relationship between memory and history; and the ongoing importance of history amidst the current crisis.

This course will introduce students to the history of the US-Mexico borderlands. Adopting a transnational approach, it will explore the relationships between the peoples, empires, and nations spanning the US-Mexico border. Starting with the various historiographical approaches to the study of borders and frontiers, then with the recent history US-Mexico border, and the persistence of transnational communities along the border from the nineteenth century to the present.

This course will use case studies to explore the history of intelligence, espionage, and covert operations from ancient times to the end of the Cold War. We will also explore the history of spy panics and the representation of espionage in fiction and film.

History of West Africans in the wider context of the global past, from West Africans' first attempts to make a living in ancient environments through the slave trades (domestic, trans-Saharan, and Atlantic), colonial overrule by outsiders, political independence, and ever-increasing globalization.

Required for history majors, to be completed before enrollment in the Major Seminar. Introduces a variety of approaches to the study of history, methods for finding and analyzing primary and secondary sources, and the construction of historical arguments. Workshops are offered on a variety of topics each term.

Required for history majors, to be completed before enrollment in the Major Seminar. Introduces a variety of approaches to the study of history, methods for finding and analyzing primary and secondary sources, and the construction of historical arguments. Workshops are offered on a variety of topics each term.

Explores the history of soccer to understand how and why it has become the most popular sport on the planet. We focus on the culture, economics and politics of the sport. Examples are drawn from Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, and include a focus on women's soccer. Class materials include scholarly works, essays, fiction, and film; students work on digital projects related to upcoming international tournaments.