History and Politics of Global Powers
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
To provide students with a number of tools to better understand the complexity of the present world, the course will focus on three "Global Powers": India, the United Kingdom and the United States. In particular, in view of the current relevance of India in international relations, the course will examine, from a historical perspective, the rise and fall of the British Empire in India between the second half of the nineteenth century and the 1940s, U.S.-Indian relations during the Cold War and how regional dynamics influenced US policy in South Asia, particularly after the China-India war in 1962.
The course will look at British and U.S. policy in India from a particular perspective, namely that of focusing our attention on the personalities involved and on how their actions shaped history, dwelling, for example, on figures such as those of the British Viceroys and U.S. ambassadors to India.
From a methodological perspective the course will privilege a critical examination of the most qualified trends in historiography and a rigorous analysis of available primary sources.
The course will look at British and U.S. policy in India from a particular perspective, namely that of focusing our attention on the personalities involved and on how their actions shaped history, dwelling, for example, on figures such as those of the British Viceroys and U.S. ambassadors to India.
From a methodological perspective the course will privilege a critical examination of the most qualified trends in historiography and a rigorous analysis of available primary sources.
Expected learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be provided with an understanding of important issues of international and global history and will be able to use the most appropriate terminology and also to apply their acquired knowledge to the analysis of the current international arena.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
From January 10, 2022, we will carry on the course in a blended way on Monday and Tuesday, 4.30 p.m.
From home: team code dvns22z, team HISTORY AND POLITICS OF GLOBAL POWERS (Microsoft team)
In person: Monday (room 20, Conservatorio); Tuesday (room 22, Conservatorio)
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/2022 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation
From home: team code dvns22z, team HISTORY AND POLITICS OF GLOBAL POWERS (Microsoft team)
In person: Monday (room 20, Conservatorio); Tuesday (room 22, Conservatorio)
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/2022 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation
Course syllabus
After a brief introduction on the concepts of global history, empire and globalization, the course will first focus on the events and the personalities which characterized the rise and fall of the British Raj (British Empire in India) between 1858 and 1947, with particular attention to the central policy of London as well as to the local actors in India. The role of the Viceroys will be examined. A case study will be the extraordinary Indian role in the first attempt of the international community to draft an international antiterrorism Convention in 1937, in the framework of India's participation in the League of Nations. The course will then explore the role of India during the Second World War and examine how the "Indian cause" was managed by American and British policy makers during the war years and until Indian Independence in 1947.
How U.S.-Indian relations developed after that and during the Cold War years will be the next focus of the course. This focus will deal with the political as well as the economic and strategic aspects of those relations between 1947 and 1989. Particular attention will be dedicated to the Indian non-alignment, to the nuclear issue - and how it influenced U.S. policy in the Indian subcontinent before and after India's first nuclear test in 1974 - and finally to the implications of US China policy for India and South Asia.
The part played by the personalities and the main figures of U.S. Indian relations during the Cold War will be analysed in depth.
How U.S.-Indian relations developed after that and during the Cold War years will be the next focus of the course. This focus will deal with the political as well as the economic and strategic aspects of those relations between 1947 and 1989. Particular attention will be dedicated to the Indian non-alignment, to the nuclear issue - and how it influenced U.S. policy in the Indian subcontinent before and after India's first nuclear test in 1974 - and finally to the implications of US China policy for India and South Asia.
The part played by the personalities and the main figures of U.S. Indian relations during the Cold War will be analysed in depth.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic knowledge of contemporary history, of the main actors and events that characterized international history during the 20th Century is required.
Teaching methods
Classes will be lectures conducted with the support of IT tools, seminars with experts, analysis of historical documentaries and movies.
Teaching Resources
Either of the following:
o Harold A Gould, Sumit Ganguly, "The Hope and the Reality. U.S-Indian Relations From Roosevelt To Reagan", Routledge, New York, 1992
OR
o Rudra Chaudhuri, "Forged in Crisis: India and the United States Since 1947", Oxford University Press, 2014
Students will be also required to read either of the following:
- Christopher Lee, "Viceroys. The Creation of the British", Constable, London 2018 (ch. VII-XV)
OR
- David Gilmour, Curzon. Imperial Statesman 1859-1925, John Murray Albemarle Street, London 1994 (ch. 10-21)
o Harold A Gould, Sumit Ganguly, "The Hope and the Reality. U.S-Indian Relations From Roosevelt To Reagan", Routledge, New York, 1992
OR
o Rudra Chaudhuri, "Forged in Crisis: India and the United States Since 1947", Oxford University Press, 2014
Students will be also required to read either of the following:
- Christopher Lee, "Viceroys. The Creation of the British", Constable, London 2018 (ch. VII-XV)
OR
- David Gilmour, Curzon. Imperial Statesman 1859-1925, John Murray Albemarle Street, London 1994 (ch. 10-21)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will be oral. Students will be asked to demonstrate not only the knowledge acquired but also an ability in critical and autonomous thinking as well as in using the adequate vocabulary.
SPS/06 - HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Merlati Mariele
Professor(s)