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Course Descriptions
CPS History Curriculum
World Civilizations
l Unit
World Civilizations serves as the department's introductory course and, as such, trains students in certain skills basic to the study of history. These include taking lecture notes, outlining, researching, and writing a term paper; writing essays; and making effective oral presentations. The course content focuses upon the current condition, the culture, the geography and the historic evolution of representative countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Western Civilization
1 Unit
This course studies the evolution of Western civilization from the ancient Mediterranean to the present. It focuses upon the major trends and themes of political, economic, social and cultural development. Classes consist of lectures and group discussions. Readings include primary sources as well as texts.
U.S. History
1 Unit
Normally taken in the eleventh grade, U.S. History examines the political, social, and economic structure of American society from colonial times to the present. The origin and impact of American ideas and institutions are studied and discussed intensively. Particular attention is paid to the problems of industrialization, social upheaval, and the increasing complexity of America's status as a world power. Library research and reports are scheduled regularly to emphasize the value of historical research. The textbook is supplemented by selected readings in scholarly articles, literary works, and documents; films and recordings are presented for analysis.
History Seminars
To allow students to pursue in-depth study in areas of their own chosen interests, the department offers a series of seminars in historical and interdisciplinary topics. The subjects of these seminars change from year to year, responding to the evolving interests of the faculty and students and to the events of the world.
Courses offered recently include:
Modern Chinese History
1/2 Unit
What would it have been like to experience the last century of extraordinary change in China? Would you have joined the Red Guards, praising the Great Helmsman while turning your friends and family over to be subjected to thought reform? Would you have been one of the thousands of students who protested against the government by occupying Tiananmen Square in June of 1989? Perhaps you would be one of the millions of entrepreneurs driving China’s fast-paced change from communism to capitalism. This course examines the last 100 years of Chinese history through the eyes of the people who experienced it. The class looks at how these sweeping changes affected the lives of the ordinary people of China. The second half of the class turns to some of the significant social and political issues currently confronting China, such as economic development, relations with Taiwan and Hong Kong, the role of women, and human rights. Materials used include three autobiographical novels and a film by the renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou.
Comparative Religions
1/2 Unit
This class compares five of the world’s major religions: Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. Their historical development, rituals, and scriptures are first examined. Then, the class considers how these faiths answer such fundamental questions as: Where do we come from? Why are we here? What follows our life on earth? The course format consists mostly of discussions of readings but also includes videos and direct experiences with different religions.
American Government
1/2 Unit
This class studies the United States government at the national, state, and local levels. The course emphasizes: 1) the U.S. Constitution and its application in constitutional law; 2) the structure and operation of Congress; 3) political parties; 4) the issues in present-day American politics and in the upcoming elections.
America Since World War II
1/2 Unit
What do the Cold War, McCarthyism, Elvis, the Civil Rights movement, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the space race, feminism, the Vietnam War, Watergate, the oil crisis, disco, Reaganomics, yuppies, the Persian Gulf War, the WWF and "hanging chads" all have in common? They've helped change and define America for the last fifty-five years. Using a variety of original sources, video, and reflections by historians, this seminar tries to bring some perspective to the rapid moves in recent American history. Projects will include mapping the change in presidential elections, debating America's role in Vietnam, and being a "histo-journalist" by writing news articles as if you were present at decisive events.
Introduction to Economics
1/2 Unit
Every day you are forced to make economic choices. Should I buy a new CD or put gas in my car? Should I go to college next year or take time off to travel around the world? Economics is the study of how people, and, on a larger scale, countries make choices. In this class we will examine supply and demand, foreign trade, domestic economic policy and many other intriguing topics. You will learn about these issues through class discussions, readings, and dynamic simulations. The highlight of the class is a month long stock market simulation. Find out how well you would do managing a $200,000 dollar portfolio.
Introduction to Linguistic Science
1/2 Unit
Language is, as far as
we know, unique to the human species. It builds our societies, defines our consciousness,
identifies our culture, and even influences our perceptions of reality. We learn
its complexities at an age when we cannot add single digits or tie our own shoes.
How does language work? How do individual languages relate to each other and
evolve through time? How do linguists analyze languages? How does all of this
aid with the study of individual languages? All of these questions are part
of the subject of this seminar: Linguistics, the scientific study of language.
Specific topics include language, the brain, and consciousness; the production
and perception of sounds around the world; words, sentences, and “grammar”;
semantics, idioms, poetry and humor; language evolution and relationships; and
the politics of language. Do the Eskimos really have 87 words for snow? Can
dolphins talk? Why is English so weird? Why would some people object to the
word “Eskimo” in the earlier sentence? And why do we park on driveways
and drive on parkways?
Learn to make sounds from clicks to whistles; invent your own rule-governed
language; read hieroglyphics, cuneiform, or Mayan; report on languages few have
ever heard (or heard of); and watch an episode of Star Trek for credit. Word.
Presidential Elections
1/2 Unit
This class will study the 2004 election with special, but not exclusive, focus on the race for president in all its aspects. In addition, students will learn about American government and political culture more broadly. Political institutions and the election process will be studied from a political science perspective. Our class will draw on the resources of UC Berkeley’s Institute for Governmental Studies. As is customary in this course, the class will conduct periodical polling of the CPS community about election issues and candidates and produce a formal presidential candidates’ debate.
The Visual Arts in Modern Europe
1/2 Unit
This course will focus on the art and architecture of Europe from the French Revolution through the first half of the twentieth century. Among the other artistic movements examined will be Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Cubism. We will try not only to study these movements from a traditional art historical perspective, but also to place them into a social and political framework. Attention will be given both to “high” art and to more popular forms of visual expression--political caricature, for example. Requirements for the course include heavy reading, quizzes, at least one take-home essay, and a final exam.
