HIS 1010 - Roots: Historical Perspectives on Global Problems and Issues

3 cr

This course explores the historical roots of current global problems and issues such as terrorism, religious fundamentalism, environmental degradation, species extinction, racism, genocide, global warming, new technology, famine, AIDS, unemployment, war, poverty, disease, and other human rights issues. Both recent and more distant historical factors will be studied in order to understand why these problems exist, how they may be changing, and what an informed citizen can do to help alleviate them. Students will 1) read and discuss a variety of news and other sources of information, interpretations, and commentaries; 2) examine the uses and abuses of historical analysis; and 3) demonstrate, in a culminating individual project, how historical perspective and analysis can suggest causes of, and humane remedies for, a particular global problem or issue. This course will, whenever possible, incorporate service-learning components in order to help students and faculty meet the goals of the course.
This course fulfills the World Views Frame of Reference.
Every semester