Workshop - Sites of Encounter: Empires in World History

Sites of Encounter: Empires in World History
June 25th, 2012 - June 28th, 2012 at California State University, Long Beach

Empires in World History: Power and the Politics of Difference by Jane Burbank and Frederick Cooper
ISBN: 0691152365

Monday, 6/25

Empires in World History Discussion

1. Differences within Empires: Mongol Empire = after you conquer people, you see that they're different and so try to figure a way to rule them that is less conflicting and efficient (i.e. religious tolerance) = "soft power" approach
2. Imperial Intermediaries: Belgians using Tutsis to take over Rwanda (rivalries within Rwanda among tribes); using military groups to train locals; need intermediaries because it's difficult to rule edges of your empire.
3. Imperial Imaginaries: A lot of racial theories come into play; religion was a huge factor  in trying to make imperial rule easier by having the conquered "buy in" to the dominant ideology.
4. Repertoires of Power: Some conquerors decide to rule different area differently; different things, different people, different places, and different times makes concept of empires differ throughout history.

- Models of empires are useful because:

1. Provide framework.
2. Allow cause/effect, compare/contrast.
3. Allows U.S. history students to see different perspectives.
4. Notice patterns throughout history rather than viewing history as separate events (novice v. expert).

Lecture - Tim Keirn: Empire in India

Tuesday, 6/26
Meeting at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA (http://www.bowers.org/)
Lecture - Rachel O'Toole: Empire in the Americas

Wednesday, 6/27
Model Lesson on Manifest Destiny
Lecture - Steve Aron: American Empire
Model Lesson on American Imperialism

Thursday, 6/28
Lecture - Eileen Luhr: End of Empire
Using Film in the Classroom - Mangal Pandey (Sepoy rebellion in India)