The Industrial Revolution in Global Context: Economic History Since 1800
HIST 280
Spring 2021
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01
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With the development of mechanized industry in the late 18th century, a productivity revolution was unleashed that would soon spread from Britain to continental Europe, North America, and Japan. By the early 21st century, three successive industrial revolutions had profoundly transformed these societies as well as the rapidly developing economies of East and South Asia. This course analyzes the historical forces driving this process. It begins by studying the transformation of Europe's overwhelmingly rural and agricultural economy into a predominantly urban and industrial one, looking closely at entrepreneurs, technology, and changing trading patterns during various phases of this process. The focus will be on Britain, Germany, the United States, and Japan, considering not only industrial development but also its broader implications, including colonial empire, great power rivalry, protectionism, economic depressions, and warfare, to highlight the complex relationship between economic and political power. The course will also analyze how industrial capitalism survived the disasters of the 20th century to drive a process of regional and global economic integration in the late 20th century. It will conclude by considering the opportunities and challenges posed to the mature industrial economies by the newly emerging industrial powers China and India. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (HIST-MN)(HIST)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Bernstein, William J. A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0802144164
Greenfield, Liah. The Spirit of Capitalism: Nationalism and Economic Growth. Cambridge, Mass. and London: Harvard University Press, 2001. ISBN-13: 978-0674012394
Landes, David S. The Unbound Prometheus: Technological Change and Industrial Development in Western Europe from 1750 to the Present, 2d ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0521826662
McCraw, Thomas K., ed. Creating Modern Capitalism. How Entrepreneurs, Companies, and Countries Triumphed in Three Industrial Revolutions. Cambridge, Mass. and London: Harvard University Press, 1997. ISBN-13: 978-0674175563
Mokyr, Joel. The Lever of Riches: Technological Creativity and Economic Progress. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990. ISBN-13: 978-0195074772
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Examinations and Assignments:
Attendance and participation 10%
Two papers 30%
Midterm exam 30%
Final exam 30% |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Grimmer-Solem,Erik Times: ...W.F. 01:00PM-02:20PM; Location: ONLINE; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 25 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 13 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 5 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 3 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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