Approaching Historical Truth: Methods and Evidence in History Writing What counts as an accurate representation of the past? What differentiates historical narratives from fictional ones? In this seminar we will learn about how historians have approached problems of evidence and explanation. In the first part of the course, we will learn about methodologies that historians have adapted from other disciplines including the natural and social sciences as well as literary and cultural studies. In the second, we will consider the politics of archives and how they affect our understanding of historical veracity. In the final part of the course, we will read a historical novel to better understand the boundaries between fiction and history.

Modern East Asia In this course we will examine East Asian history from 1800 to the present. We will study the “Chinese World Order,” the patterns of European imperialism that led to this order’s demise, the rise of Japan as an imperialist power, and 20th century wars and revolutions. We will concentrate on the emergence of Japan, China, and Korea as distinct national entities and on the socio-historical forces that have bound them together and pried them apart. We will seek a broader understanding of imperialism, patterns of nationalism and revolution, and Cold War configurations of power in East Asia.

Clinics and Cures In this course we will study the global circulation of psychiatric ideas and practices in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In the first part of the course, we will study the rise of psychiatry and psychoanalysis in the context of European colonial expansion. In the second, we will trace how these ideas and practices intersected with prevailing conceptions of health, disease, mind, and body in East Asia. We will learn about the transformative effects of Euro-American and Japanese imperialisms and the new roles of political organizing and state welfare systems in shaping approaches to treatment and care. Topics include individual versus social cures and challenges of translating mental health discourses across socio-cultural contexts.

Oil, Opium, and Oligarchs: Modern Asian Empires In this course we will examine dynamics and legacies of imperialism in East and Southeast Asia from the nineteenth century through the present. We will consider the role of opium in securing British influence, the rise of Japan as an imperialist power, struggles to control regional markets and natural resources, and China’s expansionist efforts past and present. By engaging with novels, films, treaties, and historical scholarship, class participants will gain a broad understanding of empires and imperialism, and how this heritage continues to inform Pacific-regional relations.  Not open to students who have taken IGST/HIST 0475.

Writing History In this course students discuss historical methods and writing strategies to create convincing historical narratives. With the approval and guidance of the professor, students complete a 20-25-page research paper based on primary and secondary sources. Students take this course in the fall of their junior year or with permission in the spring.  If students are away for the entire junior year, they can take the course in the fall of their senior year. 3 hr. sem. Restricted to HIST, ESHI, HSMT majors and HIST minors.

History Through Fiction and Memoir In this course we will explore boundaries between fiction and history. While the American historical profession is founded on ideals of objectivity, faithfully representing the past remains an ongoing and elusive challenge. In this course we will examine memoirs and works of historical fiction to better understand this challenge. Topics include methods of source evaluation, challenges presented by memory and experiential/eyewitness testimony, and the role of narrative in establishing credulity. Throughout, we will pay close attention to ways that racism, sexism, classism, and ethnocentrism have shaped ideas about credibility. Throughout the four week course, students will work on writing their own memoir or piece of historical fiction.

Modern China In this course we will examine the history of China from the early 19th century through the end of the Maoist period. Readings, lectures, and discussions will familiarize students with the cultural and social structures of the late Qing Empire, patterns of semi-colonialism, the rise of nationalist, feminist, and Marxist movements, and key events in the People’s Republic of China. Students will emerge from the class with a broader understanding of forms of empire and imperialism, anti-colonial nationalism, non-Western Marxism, and the tendencies of a post-socialist state.

With Friends Like These: A History of Modern US-China Relations Present-day dynamics between the United States and China appear particularly consequential, yet trans-Pacific relations have long shaped global affairs. In this seminar we will examine the history of China-US relations from the late 19th century into the 21st. Topics will include imperialism, American orientalism, the Cold War, trade wars, and shifting perceptions of hegemony. Through critical reading and discussion we will pay particular attention to how their “special” relationship has shaped China and the United States’ respective evolutions. Students who have taken HIST 479 should not register for this course. Course materials include memoirs, political tracts, Hollywood and Shanghai films, oral histories, and a variety of visual works in complement with scholarly texts. Seminar

Questions of Evidence: Historical, Legal, and Psychotherapeutic How do historians marshal evidence and to what ends? How does this intersect with psychotherapeutic and legal approaches? In this seminar we will ask “questions of evidence.” What is evidence? How do we find it? How do we decide to believe it? In the first half of the course we will examine the role of social and institutional power in shaping what we understand to be evidence. In the second half of the course, we will explore a recent historical controversy or a single historical study for its argument and presentation of evidence. Readings include works by historians, philosophers, legal scholars, psychotherapists, journalists, and activists.

Global Fascism What was, or is, fascism? How do we know it when we see it? Can fascism be understood as an exclusively European phenomenon, or did it become manifest in movements and regimes in other parts of the twentieth-century world? In this seminar, we will engage with such questions via a range of texts including manifestos, films, and scholarly works. The first part of the course will interrogate seminal theories of fascism, the second will examine historical instances of fascism with particular emphasis on East Asia, and the final part will engage with debates about the contemporary resurgence of authoritarian populism. 3 hrs. Sem.

Maggie Clinton

Reviews and ratings for Maggie Clinton at Middlebury College.Maggie Clinton teaches Approaching Historical Truth, Modern East Asia, Clinics and Cures and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Maggie Clinton good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Clinton did a mediocre job teaching this course. She is passionate, but this is not an introductory-level course. Expect pop quizzes and pretty hard exams. With that being said, the material is very engaging, and coming out of the class, I know a lot more. 

This class covered such a broad period of time and geographic area that it was very hard to get into the specifics of many of the topics. There was a lot of memorization and reading, and the lectures were very boring and poorly paced. 

This class was simply amazing. As long as you do the readings (make simple notes) and participate in class, you will be fine for the pop quizzes and the exam. The paper exam was very easy (especially compared to writing a paper), and overall, the course content was interesting. If you are looking for a filler course and do not have the time for readings, though, I would not recommend. But if you are interested in history, it is a must-go course.