This course examines the rise, rule, and legacy of dictators across different historical periods and regions. Starting with the original use of the term during the Roman Empire, the class will investigate how dictators have consolidated power and maintained control through political, social, and economic means. The course analyzes common patterns in authoritarian regimes, including propaganda, repression, personality cults, and the manipulation of institutions. It also considers the conditions that enable dictatorships to emerge, such as economic instability, war, and weak democratic systems. We will evaluate cases in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia to better understand the human consequences of dictatorship and grapple with their complex legacies. By the end of the course, participants will better recognize the dynamics of power, resistance, and the challenges of preventing authoritarian rule in the modern world.

Tuesdays | 6 weeks, October 27 - December 8 (skipping Thanksgiving week) | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
In person and simulcast