INTS 489/HIST 489 : Culture and Imperialism

European empires created the historical context out of which the United States emerged. Since the US attained national independence, it has pursued its own imperial and colonial ambitions around the world. Many of the twenty-first century's international arrangements--from the United Nations to the global trade system--reflect this imperial history, at least in part. However, although often described as a global hegemon, the US, in fact, must negotiate its power as it frequently encounters resistance at home and abroad. Investigating the imperial and colonial dimensions of contemporary life and understanding the resources of hope and resistance in the cultures of people all around the world are central themes of this seminar. Students read current and classic scholarship in the traditions of Critical Ethnic Studies, Imperial Studies, Postcolonial Studies, and Settler Colonial Studies to interpret both empire and the cultural dynamics of power and resistance of colonized peoples. While course content focuses special attention on the US, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, the themes and methods of the course are global, and students are free to write their final research paper comparing any region of the world.