HIST369

Social Science (SS), Global Perspectives (GP)

This course explores the global history of the rise and transformation of capitalism, from the chartering of the British East India Company to the present world of multinational high tech corporations. The course begins with an introduction to some of the major theorists of capitalism: Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Karl Polanyi. Over the semester, we will explore a series of questions using empirical research from leading scholars: What are the origins, consequences, and the future of capitalism? Why did some states and nations become so powerful, some economies so wealthy? Who benefited from economic growth and expanding trade? How did government and private entrepreneurs contribute to economic development? Assessment will be primarily based on papers analyzing the assigned readings and in class discussion. Prerequisite: Any two History classes, or HIST 2XX Introduction to Economic History.