How is history useful for understanding the present? How is our contemporary world “historical” and how do historical concepts help us see ourselves and our situations differently? This class tackles these questions by applying historical thinking to the burning issues and cultural hot spots of today. Racism, pandemics, electoral systems, sexuality/gender, religion, media, and the environment all have unexpected pasts. We will explore these, and whatever pressing issues arise in the next few months (who knows!), using history to illuminate their underlying premises. The class will be taught in largely synchronous fashion, with lectures and interactive discussions held during class time. All materials will be recorded and made available asynchronously as well.

Course Requirements:

Assignments will include three short papers, discussion posts, and responses to films. For final projects, students will identify a key contemporary issue and investigate historical sites that might change entrenched 21st-century assumptions on the question.

Intended Audience:

Any undergraduates