Peter N. Stearns

Gender in World History integrates gender history and world history by dealing with significant global changes over time, regional patterns of gender relations, and the results of interregional contact on gender roles and concepts. Now in its 4th edition, this volume explores the rise of patriarchal gender systems and, in more modern history, the gradual and checkered decline of these systems. In addition to the roles of agriculture and then industrialization in shaping gender relations, the book deals with the impact of major religions, imperialism and decolonization, and human rights movements in more recent history. Regional coverage includes East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Mediterranean, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Americas. The book seeks to show how major patterns and changes in the past shed light on current gender issues in many world regions, enabling students to understand how gender roles have varied across the world and over time. This new edition also includes: More material on several societies, particularly in Asia and the Middle East Greater attention on historical and comparative assessment of sexual identities A focus on basic features of gender configurations Discussions of more recent human rights movementsProviding a global but succinct overview of the history of gender throughout the world, Gender in World History remains essential reading for students of world history and gender studies.

Gender in World History integrates gender history and world history by dealing with significant global changes over time, regional patterns of gender relations, and the results of interregional contact on gender roles and concepts. Now in its 4th edition, this volume explores the rise of patriarchal gender systems and, in more modern history, the gradual and checkered decline of these systems. In addition to the roles of agriculture and then industrialization in shaping gender relations, the book deals with the impact of major religions, imperialism and decolonization, and human rights movements in more recent history. Regional coverage includes East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Mediterranean, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Americas. The book seeks to show how major patterns and changes in the past shed light on current gender issues in many world regions, enabling students to understand how gender roles have varied across the world and over time. This new edition also includes: More material on several societies, particularly in Asia and the Middle East Greater attention on historical and comparative assessment of sexual identities A focus on basic features of gender configurations Discussions of more recent human rights movementsProviding a global but succinct overview of the history of gender throughout the world, Gender in World History remains essential reading for students of world history and gender studies.

World Past to World Present: A Sketch of Global History provides an unusually brief and present-focused treatment of human history beginning with the advent of agriculture and ending with considerable attention to world history developments since World War II. This accessible and concise text covers a very real but selected history of the human experience. The book emphasizes the importance of contacts and exchanges among different cultures and economies up to contemporary globalization, and consistent attention is devoted to comparisons among major regional societies. The characteristics of agricultural, and later industrial, societies help establish a larger framework within the text. Peter N. Stearns works to connect past developments to contemporary global patterns and problems, explicitly balancing major changes with significant continuities. Key features include: A "no-frills" approach to an expansive stretch of human history Encourages students to understand the importance of studying history by focusing on aspects of the past that are particularly useful in assessing the current state of the world Invites instructors to combine the advantages of systematic summary coverage with varied supplementary reading Nine maps illustrate important movements and civilizations throughout the world. Truly international in coverage, this book has been specifically designed as a core text for Global History survey courses.

World Past to World Present: A Sketch of Global History provides an unusually brief and present-focused treatment of human history beginning with the advent of agriculture and ending with considerable attention to world history developments since World War II. This accessible and concise text covers a very real but selected history of the human experience. The book emphasizes the importance of contacts and exchanges among different cultures and economies up to contemporary globalization, and consistent attention is devoted to comparisons among major regional societies. The characteristics of agricultural, and later industrial, societies help establish a larger framework within the text. Peter N. Stearns works to connect past developments to contemporary global patterns and problems, explicitly balancing major changes with significant continuities. Key features include: A "no-frills" approach to an expansive stretch of human history Encourages students to understand the importance of studying history by focusing on aspects of the past that are particularly useful in assessing the current state of the world Invites instructors to combine the advantages of systematic summary coverage with varied supplementary reading Nine maps illustrate important movements and civilizations throughout the world. Truly international in coverage, this book has been specifically designed as a core text for Global History survey courses.

Now in its fourth edition, Childhood in World History covers the major developments in the history of childhood from the classical civilizations to the present and explores how agricultural and industrial economies have shaped the experiences of children. Through comparative analysis, Peter N. Stearns facilitates a cross-cultural and transnational understanding of attitudes toward the role of children in society, and how "models" of childhood have developed throughout history. He addresses the tension between regional and social/gender differences, on the one hand, and factors that encouraged greater convergence, including the experience of globalization. The book also deals with regional patterns as determined by different religious and cultural systems and family structures. It encourages readers to consider the complexity in evaluating childhood patterns in the past, in light of more modern conditions and expectations, and at the same time to realize some of the problems contemporary children encounter. This updated and expanded fourth edition includes: Broadened discussions of childhood in Asia, Africa, and Latin America Additional text on children’s play and the impact of immigration More voices from children throughout Updated bibliographies and suggested readingsConcisely presented but broad in scope, this book will be of interest to students of world history and those involved in interdisciplinary approaches to childhood.

Now in its fourth edition, Childhood in World History covers the major developments in the history of childhood from the classical civilizations to the present and explores how agricultural and industrial economies have shaped the experiences of children. Through comparative analysis, Peter N. Stearns facilitates a cross-cultural and transnational understanding of attitudes toward the role of children in society, and how "models" of childhood have developed throughout history. He addresses the tension between regional and social/gender differences, on the one hand, and factors that encouraged greater convergence, including the experience of globalization. The book also deals with regional patterns as determined by different religious and cultural systems and family structures. It encourages readers to consider the complexity in evaluating childhood patterns in the past, in light of more modern conditions and expectations, and at the same time to realize some of the problems contemporary children encounter. This updated and expanded fourth edition includes: Broadened discussions of childhood in Asia, Africa, and Latin America Additional text on children’s play and the impact of immigration More voices from children throughout Updated bibliographies and suggested readingsConcisely presented but broad in scope, this book will be of interest to students of world history and those involved in interdisciplinary approaches to childhood.

Happiness in World History traces ideas and experiences of happiness from early stages in human history, to the maturation of agricultural societies and their religious and philosophical systems, to the changes and diversities in the approach to happiness in the modern societies that began to emerge in the 18th century. In this thorough overview, Peter N. Stearns explores the interaction between psychological and historical findings about happiness, the relationship between ideas and popular experience, and the opportunity to use historical analysis to assess strengths and weaknesses of dominant contemporary notions of happiness. Starting with the advent of agriculture, the book assesses major transitions in history for patterns in happiness, including the impact of the great religions, the unprecedented Enlightenment interest in secular happiness and cheerfulness, and industrialization and imperialism. The final, contemporary section covers fascist and communist efforts to define alternatives to Western ideas of happiness, the increasing connections with consumerism, and growing global interests in defining and promoting well-being. Touching on the experiences in the major regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and North America, the text offers an expansive introduction to a new field of study. This book will be of interest to students of world history and the history of emotions.

Happiness in World History traces ideas and experiences of happiness from early stages in human history, to the maturation of agricultural societies and their religious and philosophical systems, to the changes and diversities in the approach to happiness in the modern societies that began to emerge in the 18th century. In this thorough overview, Peter N. Stearns explores the interaction between psychological and historical findings about happiness, the relationship between ideas and popular experience, and the opportunity to use historical analysis to assess strengths and weaknesses of dominant contemporary notions of happiness. Starting with the advent of agriculture, the book assesses major transitions in history for patterns in happiness, including the impact of the great religions, the unprecedented Enlightenment interest in secular happiness and cheerfulness, and industrialization and imperialism. The final, contemporary section covers fascist and communist efforts to define alternatives to Western ideas of happiness, the increasing connections with consumerism, and growing global interests in defining and promoting well-being. Touching on the experiences in the major regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and North America, the text offers an expansive introduction to a new field of study. This book will be of interest to students of world history and the history of emotions.

The Global Experience

As a new century and millennium approach, the world braces itself for a frenzied outpouring of popular excitement, tabloid predictions, and religious hysteria, all egged on by a strong dose of mass media attention. Fortunately, historian Peter Stearns has supplied the antidote with this witty and insightful look at earlier millennial fevers and tur

In this innovative textbook, leading world historian Peter Stearns analyses key examples of culture change from around the world, highlighting what culture change involves and how it can be explained and assessed, both historically and in the contemporary world. Culture change is one of the most interesting and significant features of human society, but until now there has been no book for the classroom which looks explicitly at this phenomenon. Cultural Change in Modern World History covers different kinds and levels of culture change since 1500 – from colonial culture contact in British India to modernization in Meiji Japan and changing attitudes towards gay marriage in the past decade – considering how we should define culture change, how to deal with causation and how to evaluate continuities and consequences. Stearns addresses fundamental questions: why do groups of people change their beliefs and values, and what happens when they do? Conversely, why do some groups resist culture change, and how do some manage to combine novel and more traditional cultural components? Figuring out how better to understand why groups or societies change their minds – or refuse to do so – provides a crucial perspective on human behaviors and values. As the first book to explore this important question, Cultural Change in Modern World History is a ground-breaking text for students of world history, cultural history and anthropology.

In this innovative textbook, leading world historian Peter Stearns analyses key examples of culture change from around the world, highlighting what culture change involves and how it can be explained and assessed, both historically and in the contemporary world. Culture change is one of the most interesting and significant features of human society, but until now there has been no book for the classroom which looks explicitly at this phenomenon. Cultural Change in Modern World History covers different kinds and levels of culture change since 1500 – from colonial culture contact in British India to modernization in Meiji Japan and changing attitudes towards gay marriage in the past decade – considering how we should define culture change, how to deal with causation and how to evaluate continuities and consequences. Stearns addresses fundamental questions: why do groups of people change their beliefs and values, and what happens when they do? Conversely, why do some groups resist culture change, and how do some manage to combine novel and more traditional cultural components? Figuring out how better to understand why groups or societies change their minds – or refuse to do so – provides a crucial perspective on human behaviors and values. As the first book to explore this important question, Cultural Change in Modern World History is a ground-breaking text for students of world history, cultural history and anthropology.

Shame varies as an individual experience and in its manifestations across time and cultures. Groups establish identity and enforce social behaviors through shame and shaming, while attempts at shaming often provoke a social or political backlash. Yet historians often neglect shame’s power to complicate individual, international, cultural, and political relationships. Peter N. Stearns draws on his long career as a historian of emotions to provide the foundational text on shame’s history and how this history contributes to contemporary issues around the emotion. Summarizing current research, Stearns unpacks the major debates that surround this complex emotion. He also surveys the changing role of shame in the United States from the nineteenth century to today, including shame’s revival as a force in the 1960s and its place in today’s social media. Looking ahead, he maps the abundant opportunities for future historical research and historically informed interdisciplinary scholarship. Written for interested readers and scholars alike, Shame combines significant new research with a wider synthesis.

Shame varies as an individual experience and in its manifestations across time and cultures. Groups establish identity and enforce social behaviors through shame and shaming, while attempts at shaming often provoke a social or political backlash. Yet historians often neglect shame’s power to complicate individual, international, cultural, and political relationships. Peter N. Stearns draws on his long career as a historian of emotions to provide the foundational text on shame’s history and how this history contributes to contemporary issues around the emotion. Summarizing current research, Stearns unpacks the major debates that surround this complex emotion. He also surveys the changing role of shame in the United States from the nineteenth century to today, including shame’s revival as a force in the 1960s and its place in today’s social media. Looking ahead, he maps the abundant opportunities for future historical research and historically informed interdisciplinary scholarship. Written for interested readers and scholars alike, Shame combines significant new research with a wider synthesis.

This book examines sexuality in the past, and explores how it helps explain sexuality in the present. The subject of sexuality is often a controversial one, and exploring it through a world history perspective emphasizes the extent to which societies, including our own, are still reacting to historical change through contemporary sexual behaviors, values, and debates. The study uses a clear chronological structure to focus on major patterns and changes in sexuality—both sexual culture and sexual behaviors—in the main periods of world history, covering topics including:• The sexual implications of the transition from hunting and gathering economies to agricultural economies;• Sexuality in classical societies;• The postclassical period and the spread of the world religions;• Sex in an age of trade and colonies;• Changes in sexual behaviors and sexual attitudes between 1750 and 1950;• Sex in contemporary world history. This new edition examines these issues on a global scale, with attention to anthropological insights on sexuality and their relationship to history, the dynamics between sexuality and imperialism, sexuality in industrial society, and trends and conflicts surrounding views of sex and sexuality in the contemporary world.

This book examines sexuality in the past, and explores how it helps explain sexuality in the present. The subject of sexuality is often a controversial one, and exploring it through a world history perspective emphasizes the extent to which societies, including our own, are still reacting to historical change through contemporary sexual behaviors, values, and debates. The study uses a clear chronological structure to focus on major patterns and changes in sexuality—both sexual culture and sexual behaviors—in the main periods of world history, covering topics including:• The sexual implications of the transition from hunting and gathering economies to agricultural economies;• Sexuality in classical societies;• The postclassical period and the spread of the world religions;• Sex in an age of trade and colonies;• Changes in sexual behaviors and sexual attitudes between 1750 and 1950;• Sex in contemporary world history. This new edition examines these issues on a global scale, with attention to anthropological insights on sexuality and their relationship to history, the dynamics between sexuality and imperialism, sexuality in industrial society, and trends and conflicts surrounding views of sex and sexuality in the contemporary world.

The industrial revolution was and is a huge development and one of the fundamental changes in human experience in the modern world. In Debating the Industrial Revolution, Peter N. Stearns, a leading expert in world history, presents the major contours of the ongoing debates over industrialization in history. He explores the central historical discussion over what caused such a momentous change, demonstrating how interpretations have developed over time and encouraging students to critically engage with historical practice. Trying to understand why industrialization happened, and why it continues to happen, continues to organize considerable analytical energy. This book will be the ideal primer for students wanting to understand the key debates, and get a sense of how they might develop in the future.

The industrial revolution was and is a huge development and one of the fundamental changes in human experience in the modern world. In Debating the Industrial Revolution, Peter N. Stearns, a leading expert in world history, presents the major contours of the ongoing debates over industrialization in history. He explores the central historical discussion over what caused such a momentous change, demonstrating how interpretations have developed over time and encouraging students to critically engage with historical practice. Trying to understand why industrialization happened, and why it continues to happen, continues to organize considerable analytical energy. This book will be the ideal primer for students wanting to understand the key debates, and get a sense of how they might develop in the future.

American higher education is under unprecedented pressure, beginning with the public funding and student debt crises and extending to inadequate performance in student retention and growing global competition. Respected educator and scholar Peter N. Stearns breaks down the underlying problems, exploring the most contentious issues for university leaders and administrators today. Guiding the American University covers the major facets of university operation—administration, faculty, and students—and discusses what should be changed and what should be preserved. Covering major topics for debate and real problems facing American higher education today—including the tenure system, online learning, administrative bloat, and campus culture—this book is a critical resource for aspiring and current higher education administrators. Research-based and stemming from a range of case studies, this book’s insightful and fresh recommendations serve as an important contribution to the conversation on the future of American higher education.