This
course is an introduction in global perspective to themes and trends in the
political, economic, social, and intellectual history of pre-modern
civilizations. It covers the development of civilizations in the Near East, the
Mediterranean, India, China, Japan, and the West from the
Neolithic Revolution to the “Columbian Exchange” with emphasis on the emergence
and diffusion of ideas and institutions. Special attention is devoted to the
impact of encounters between civilizations. Students are introduced to the
reading and analysis of primary sources, and attention is devoted to
historiography and recent trends in scholarship.
- Teacher: Marcus Pyka