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"A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous." - Mao Zedong, 1927. (Image by Prof. William Broadhead, Prof. Meg Jacobs, Prof. Peter Perdue, and Prof. Jeffrey Ravel.)
Prof. Jeffrey S. Ravel
Prof. Meg Jacobs
Prof. Peter C. Perdue
Prof. William Broadhead
21H.001
Fall 2007
Undergraduate
This course features archived syllabi from various semesters.
21H.001, a HASS-D, CI course, explores fundamental questions about the causes and nature of revolutions. How do people overthrow their rulers? How do they establish new governments? Do radical upheavals require bloodshed, violence, or even terror? How have revolutionaries attempted to establish their ideals and realize their goals? We will look at a set of major political transformations throughout the world and across centuries to understand the meaning of revolution and evaluate its impact. By the end of the course, students will be able to offer reasons why some revolutions succeed and others fail. Materials for the course include the writings of revolutionaries, declarations and constitutions, music, films, art, memoirs, and newspapers.
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