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Imperial Modernity? The British Empire and the Emergence of the Modern World (1780-1914)
Imperial Modernity? - Das Britische Empire und die Entstehung der modernen Welt (ca. 1780-1914)
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:25:12
Abstract
Taking India, China, South Africa and the Caribbean as case studies, the lecture explores the transformation of various parts of the globe through British influence. The main focus is on the cultural and social dimensions of imperialism and colonialism both in the colonized overseas regions and in the Britain itself.
Objective
Students who take this course will acquire basic factual knowledge in an important chapter in the History of the modern world. Equally they will be introduced to recent historiographical debates and practice discussion as well as critical reading skills.
Content
The expansion of England in the long 19th century had significant effects on cultures, states and societies on five continents. Introducing the catchy neologism ‘anglobalisation’, some historians have recently tried to present British imperialism as necessary primary stage in the arduous process of spreading modern institutions and creating the kind of transnational cooperation that characterises today’s world. Others, by contrary, have stressed the negative side of British colonial rule and pointed to the similarities between the violent establishment of the so-called Pax Britannica and current attempts by the United States to impose a hegemonic ‘new world order’ on the non-western world. Taking India, China, South Africa and the Caribbean as case studies, the lecture explores the transformation of various parts of the globe through British influence. The main focus is on the cultural and social dimensions of imperialism and colonialism both in the colonized overseas regions and in the Britain itself. The overarching aim of the exercise is not only to better grasp the historical trajectories taken by important parts of the extra-European world, but also least to submit the `anglobalisation’ hypothesis to a reality check.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS , DR
- Frequency
- Every two years
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Imperial modernity? - Das Britische Empire und die Entstehung der modernen Welt (ca. 1780-1914) |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (In order to be awarded credits, please register under "Pflichtwahlfach GESS"!. The language courses are offered by the ETH and University of Zurich Language Center.)
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