Have you been wondering why British officials, from King Charles on down, have been traveling the world recently, apologizing halfheartedly for Britain’s brutal colonial history? Why did they feel it necessary? What was the British Empire all about?  It lasted for about 300 years and collapsed in our lifetime. It was a global enterprise that spanned cultures and countries around the world, controlling a quarter of the world’s land area. Its legacy for good and for bad affects us to this day and will probably remain with us for a long time to come. In our class we will try to trace its humble but cruel beginnings and follow it all over the world. It’s a fascinating journey through time and space that will broaden our knowledge of history as well as geography and culture.  The class will be a lecture, with discussions encouraged.  Weekly preparation time will vary, but will never be more than two hours.

Please note that this six-week course will begin on April 11 and end on May 16, which is during the makeup week.