Category Archives: Globalization

Runaway Societies and Stateless Peoples

Posted on September 7, 2011 by briansandberg

Runaway societies, or maroon communities, have been known for centuries. Some African slaves in the early modern Caribbean and South America were able to escape from plantations and form their own communities in dense rainforests and mountainous areas. Other stateless … Continue reading →

Posted in Empires and Imperialism, Globalization, State Development Theory | Leave a comment

Understanding Europe

Posted on September 4, 2011 by briansandberg

American business students often wonder why they should be concerned with learning about European culture, society, and history. Here are a few data points that suggest the importance of Europe for American businesspeople and for the American economy: The American … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Policy, European History, French History, Globalization, Humanities Education, Northern Illinois University | 1 Comment

Al Qaeda Confirms bin Laden’s Death

Posted on May 6, 2011 by briansandberg

Al Qaeda has confirmed the death of Osama bin Laden in a message on 3 May 2011, according to a report by NPR. The “general leadership” of Al Qaeda declares that: “We stress that the blood of the holy warrior … Continue reading →

Posted in Globalization, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Five Myths about Osama bin Laden

Posted on May 6, 2011 by briansandberg

As people search to define a post-Osama bin Laden world, it is important to take stock of bin Laden’s historical significance in global affairs. Peter Bergen, a national security analyst who once interviewed Osama bin Laden, now offers a timely … Continue reading →

Posted in Globalization, History of Violence, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Multiculturalism in Europe

Posted on May 6, 2011 by briansandberg

The protests and revolutions in the Arab world this spring have created increased political tensions in Europe over the status of Arabs and Muslims within the European Union. Debates over policies promoting multiculturalism in European nations were already contentious well … Continue reading →

Posted in European Union, French History, Globalization, Human Rights, Mediterranean World | Leave a comment

Search for Meaning in a Post-Osama World

Posted on May 2, 2011 by briansandberg

People around the world are now reacting to the news of the death of Osama bin Laden, which is being seen as a significant world historical event. The military intelligence and special forces operations that led to bin Laden’s death … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Globalization, History of Violence, Religious Violence, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

France Bans Niqab

Posted on April 11, 2011 by briansandberg

France is implementing a recent law banning the niqab, or full-face veil, in public spaces.  The French notion of laïcité, a version of secularism, is being used to justify outlawing the niqab, as well as to argue for banning other … Continue reading →

Posted in French History, Globalization, Human Rights, Mediterranean World, Religious Violence, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

Nabil Matar Lecture

Posted on April 9, 2011 by briansandberg

Nabil Matar (Presidential Professor, Departments of English and History, the Religious Studies Program, University of Minnesota) “Henry Stubbe and the first use of Christian Arabic sources about Muhammad” Friday 15 April 2011, 4:00 pm Pick 016 University of Chicago Co-sponsored by … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Research, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, Empires and Imperialism, Globalization, Mediterranean World | Leave a comment

Higher Education as an Export?

Posted on April 8, 2011 by briansandberg

A new article by the Under Secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Commerce Department treats Higher Education in the United States as an exportable commodity. Undoubtedly American higher education involves study abroad programs, student exchange programs, international student recruitment, … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Policy, Globalization, Humanities Education, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Environmental Film Festival

Posted on April 2, 2011 by briansandberg

First Annual Environmental Film Festival On April 19 and 20,  The Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability, and Energy at Northern Illinois University will host its first annual environmental film festival at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental History, Globalization, Northern Illinois University | Leave a comment