Global Civilizations: Workers' Perspectives ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This course offers an introductory but also systematic study of world history. Too often, world history is told as if each society or nation-state or region functioned as a discrete political, economic and cultural unit, its success or failure over time determined by some inherent strength or weakness. In this class the goal is to explore different perspectives. We will examine how environmental circumstances may have given some societies advantages that others lacked. Students also will also study the hows and whys of the rise and fall of regional civilizations by paying close attention to the connections-created by trade, conquest, and the exploitation of nature and human labor-between these civilizations. It is only offered in-class at the college’s Harry J. Van Arsdale Jr. School for Labor Studies in New York City. This course is offered as part of union partnership programs and is open to non-partnership students subject to availability.