Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - HIST 276 D100

History of the Modern Mediterranean World 1500 to the Present (3)

Class Number: 5797

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 10, 2024
    Tue, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the history of the Mediterranean world in the early modern and modern periods with a focus on human exchanges and conflicts, geopolitical rivalries and collaborations, and the movement of people, ideas, and goods. Students with credit for HS 276 or HUM 276 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a broad overview of the history of the modern Mediterranean from the Renaissance to the present. The course will examine through the examination of primary sources the struggle for dominance between the Ottoman and Spanish Empires, the rise of nationalism and the creation of modern nation states, the effects of the Great Power rivalries, the effects of wars, including the two World Wars, and the eruption of modern crises including the Palestinian question, the refugee crisis, and the Greek-Turkish rivalry. At the same time, it will examine the peaceful relations between states from the trade routes of the Renaissance to the emergence of the European Union, or the cultural exchanges between southern Europe and North Africa.

Schedule of Classes

1 – The Mediterranean World to 1500

2 – Roman Legacies: East and West

3 –The Ottomans

4 – The Decline of the Mediterranean World?

5 - Revolution and Disorder

6 – Nationalism and “Revivals”

7 - Midterm

8 - Imperialism and Cosmopolitanism

9 – Crises and Wars

10 – Cold War Divisions

11- The Palestinian Conflict

12 - The Contemporary Mediterranean

Grading

  • Class participation 20%
  • Weekly Responses 20%
  • “Journal” 20%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Take-home Exam 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The recommended textbook is “The Great Sea. A Human History of the Mediterranean”, by David Abulafia, (Oxford University Press, 2011). All required readings can be found on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.