HIST 361M Cross Cultural Encounters
Moving away from a geographically centered basis of historical inquiry and using a variety of different primary and secondary sources, novels, and films, this course will concentrate on a variety of cross-cultural encounters from the medieval period to the present between South Asia and Europe and Middle East. Emphasizing the multi-faceted nature of cross-cultural relationships and applying a range of historiographical approaches, the class will examine areas related to cross-cultural encounters such as trade, changes in the environment, perceptions of other, conflict, colonialism and immigration. Given these focus areas, the intent of the course will be to examine how competing narratives help us better understand diverse constellations of power, different types of cross-cultural encounters and dialogues between people. What does cross-cultural contact signify? When were people in agreement? When did culture act as a barrier? And how have changing power relations affected the terms of encounters?