Course Objectives

Social Change and Modernisation builds on the conceptual and historical materials of the freshman experience. The course centres on two case studies in rapid modernisation: Russia and China. Russia and the Soviet Union are considered as an example of revolutionary economic and social change, attention being paid to the way in which Marxist theories were translated into practise. This serves as the basis for a comparison with the problems of modernisation in contemporary China. The roots of industrialism, the culture of non-Western peoples as it affects their responses to it, and the dramatic complexities of social change combine to challenge the students' grasp of the problems facing the modern world.

Course Comments

"The readings, movies and PowerPoint go excellently with the class." Pat Pereira, Fall 2009

"Tomes is a brilliant man and knows so much about the subjects he teaches -- he is always willing to answer questions and explain." Anon., Fall 2009

"Professor Tomes is extremely knowledgeable about what he teaches." Anon., Fall 2009

"Overall, I feel like I learned a lot and I would definitely recommend this professor!" Erika Kuhl, Fall 2008

Faculty Information

Dr Jason Tomes holds a D.Phil. in International Relations from Nuffield College, Oxford, and an MA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Merton College, Oxford. Between 1993 and 1995, he lectured in British history and politics in Poland at Warsaw University and Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan. From 1996 to 2008, he taught modern history for Boston University's Oxford honours programme. He was deputy editor of Margaret Thatcher: Complete Public Statements 1945-1999 (1999) and is the author of two books: Balfour and Foreign Policy: The International Thought of a Conservative Statesman (1997) and King Zog: Self-Made Monarch of Albania (2003).

Course Syllabus and Materials

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