The class has two main goals. One is to provide you with a basic factual understanding of the political, military, economic, cultural, and technological development of the greatest empires from their earliest beginnings until 1800.  Just as important, however, is the ability to use this information productively.  Thus, this class will also stress the ability to integrate the mass of factual data into some basic understanding of how empires rise and fall, and of the issues which concern policymakers today.  In addition, the discussions are designed to develop the ability to think critically.  Rote memorization is not as important as the ability to produce and evaluate arguments based on historical evidence.  Please do not forget that the most effective learning occurs when you are actively involved. 

Dr. Brezina has taught history of the greatest empires at various university prep schools in Europe and the United States as well as at several American colleges and universities.

There are many sources that are used for teaching the history of the greatest empires in this course. Dr. Brezina studied various primary and secondary sources (articles, book, dissertations, etc.) during his years as a teacher and professor of history that will allow him to interpret the history of the global empires objectively and address the full range of a variety of peoples' histories, including marginalized populations. For example, Dr. Brezina will draw from two books, Empires in World History: Power of the Politics of Difference by Jane Burbank and Frederick Cooper and Empires of the Silk Road: A History of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the Present by Christopher Beckwith, both of which are commonly used as objective and multi-cultural history textbooks in U.S. higher education. (However, Dr. Brezina does not require students to purchase or use these books.)