HIST 615: Problems in American History

HIST 615-004: South Africa and the United States: Race, Rights, Resistance and Transnational Movements in Comparative History
(Fall 2015)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM T

Section Information for Fall 2015

This course explores the comparative histories of South Africa and the United States, two countries shaped by racial distinctions and Christian “civilization.”  From the 1700s to 1800s, a growing number of indigenous and immigrant groups in South Africa and the United States resisted settler rule, as legacies of slavery increasingly defined the legal rights of “European” and “non-European.”  With widening global networks in the twentieth century, the identities of indigenous, settler and immigrant continued to evolve.  At this time, transnational movements such as Ethiopianism and Garveyism brought the two societies closer together in far-reaching struggles against racism.  Indeed, more and more South Africans and Americans were recognizing that they shared a peculiar past: white supremacy. But in the 1940s the United States government began to question segregation while the South Africa state came to embrace apartheid.  Both societies would meet again in 1994, with the first all-race democratic ballot in South Africa; and perhaps again in 2008, with the election of the first African-American US President. 

 

Our books, articles and seminars examine how race, rights, resistance and transnational movements defined two remarkably parallel societies. Along the way, we consider whether the historical comparisons we study deepen or distort our understanding of South Africa and the United States.​ This course fulfills the “1861-1914” OR “1914-present” requirement in U.S. history.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 1-6

Readings and discussion of bibliographies, interpretations, and research trends in topics selected by instructor. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Related Course, Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.