Dr. David Aikman's Fall 2009 courses at Patrick Henry College

Cold War Novel

This history of the Cold War is told by critically reading and reviewing key Cold War-era novels.

Modern Middle East

This course examines the diplomatic, social, cultural and religious history of the Middle East region from approximately 1800 to the present day. The student learns how several different phenomena have impacted the region in a special way: Islam, the decline and fall of the Ottoman Empire, the impact of diplomatic struggles among the great powers as a result of World War I, and pan-Arabism.

Russian III

RUS213 is the first part of second-year Russian. It builds on the grammatical and vocabulary foundations of Russian I and II and introduces students to classical Russian literary texts of the 19th. century. It also builds up new vocabulary so that students will be able to begin reading and understanding contemporary Russian newspapers and radio and TV broadcasts.

To view the entire 2009-2010 course catalog for Patrick Henry College, click here.

Other courses previously taught by Dr. Aikman at Patrick Henry College

Ages of Revolution

This course examines the concept of revolution from its first appearance in the modern age (England in the 1640's). It examines "radical" revolutions and "conservative" revolutions in the context of what was being attempted politically, socially, economically, and culturally during a given revolution and what was actually achieved. The starting point of the study is the Christian-based practical as well as utopian schemes during the English revolution. Then, in turn, the American, French, Russian, Chinese, and Iranian revolutions will be looked at, both analytically, and through the eyes of participants in them. The interplay of religious, historical, political and literary influences is also be examined.

History of Islam

This course examines the background, origins and development of Islam from the birth of Mohammed in 570 A.D. to the present day. It looks closely at Mohammed's life, the content of the Koran and the haddiths, early Islamic expansion, the concept of jihad and dhimmi, classical Islamic culture, and the spread of Islam to non-Arab parts of the world. It covers the development of sharia and the four main Islamic legal systems. Reform efforts within Islam are discussed, as well as the emergence of radical movements like Wahabbism, Shiite radicalism, and Islamofascist movements like al-Qaeda.

History of Modern Russia

An introductory course on the history of modern Russia. The course begins with the reign of Catherine the Great (1762-1796) and the formation of the Russian Empire. It then covers Russia's tentative flirtation with liberalism and reform under various tsars and the emergence of hardcore radicalism from Bakunin to Lenin. In the 20th centruy, Russia begins to emerge as a global superpower after the 1917 revolution and the rise of Stalin, then shrinking once more after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and finally emerging once more under Putin as a nation with global great power aspirations.

History of Modern Terrorism

The phenomenon of post-1970 terrorism is considered. Special attention is given to terrorism's historical context.

History of World War I

This course examines the 1914-1918 worldwide war that some called "the Great War" and others called "the war to end all wars."

Modern Chinese History

An introductory course on the history of modern China. The course shows how the traditional, imperial structure of Chinese government and society in the 19th century collapsed under the combined pressures of internal decay and the demands of an expanding West, and how a brief flowering of intellectual liberalism succumbed in the early 20the century to the claims and demands of Marxism-Leninism. China's suffering under Japanese occupation and the subsequent civil war will be examined, along with Communism's evolution from totalitarian socialism in the 1950s to authoritarian capitalism, and later to great power nationalism in the 21st century.

Russian I

RUS113 is an introduction to the language, culture, and literature of Russia. Using the New Penguin Russian Course, students learn the Russian alphabet, grammatical forms and syntax, and basic vocabulary as they develop beginning reading skills in Russian poetry and prose. Students also learn and practice basic oral conversation and writing in Russian.

Russian II

RUS123 is a continuation of Russian I. In this course, students develop more advanced conversational skills and vocabulary. They learn to read simple texts of Russian literature while building their reading and aural comprehension as well as written and oral translation skills.