Revolutionary Ideas, Ideologies of Revolution

Catalog description

Ideas play an intangible role in defining culture and politics. Mass movements and revolutions have become a familiar feature of modern social activism and political life. This course surveys some of the major revolutions and ideologies that have caused significant change, beginning with revolutions of the 18th and early 19th centuries (American, French, Haitian) and then the rise of modern revolutions in Russia (Bolshevik), South Asia and Africa (anti-racist, decolonizing), and the Middle East (constitutional, anti-establishment, Islamic, gender). We will read and critique the writings of theorists of revolution (ex: John Locke, Karl Marx, Crane Brinton, Francois Furet). In addition, we will examine the icons of imperialism and consider varying sources of conflict within and between revolutionary states. Finally, we will assess artistic revolutions and determine how revolutionary changes in cinema, literature, and communication contribute to the realization of social upheavals. Novels, essays, films, classic texts, social media, and secondary works will comprise the bulk of the readings. The weekly assignments will focus on themes that show the nature of political change in various geographic settings to help students put the ideas of revolt and protest in the proper historical context.