Borders

GENED 1140 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

How have borders been formed historically, and what are the ethics of border construction, defense, expansion or transgression?

In the United States and throughout much of the world, debates about borders and belonging have become increasingly important to contemporary politics. But seldom do we stop to think about how borders were formed historically, or why nation-states emerged as the dominant form of political organization in a bordered world. 

This course looks at the modern history of borders, broadly construed, from national boundaries between sovereign countries, to supranational agreements such as the European Union. It uses a case study method that allows students to investigate how borders were erected or transformed at a select number of historical turning points. And it queries the legal, diplomatic, social, and ethical considerations that ensue from drawing a line between one side and another. We will also consider how actors within societies create internal boundary lines such as “gerrymandered districts,” “gated communities,” or “redlined zones,” that are sometimes extra-legal or even illegal, but have profound effects on the everyday lives of individuals and groups.