HIS 264 Premodern Asia: Empires, Exchanges, and the Silk Road
3 hours
This course examines Asia’s (East, South, Southeast, and Central Asia) pivotal role in shaping early globalization through trade, cultural exchanges, and the rise of empires. Using the Silk Road and maritime trade networks as focal points, we explore how Asian societies connected with each other and the wider world, including Europe, Africa, and West Asia, in the premodern era. Topics include the development and influence of cultural traditions like Confucianism, the spread of religions like Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism; legal systems across empires; scientific and technological innovations; and the global movement of material culture and ideas. By tracing these historical connections, students will gain insights into how early globalization laid the foundations for today’s interconnected world.
Notes
Formerly titled:
HIS 264 History of China to 1650.