Read: Class Topics and Scope

Topics and Scope

Note that this is a tentative schedule and can be changed or adjusted by the instructor as necessary.

Week 1

I.  In the Beginning: Prehistoric Cultures Around the World
    A. History and the human condition
    B. Roots of humanity
    C. Origins of human society
Week 2
II.  River Valley Civilizations, 5,000-500 B.C.E.
    A. Mesopotamia
Week 3
    B. India
    C. Central Asia
Week 4
III.  Ancient Africa and the Mediterranean
    A. Egypt
    B. Sub-Saharan Africa
Week 5
    C. Israel/Palestine and Phoenicia
    D. Crete and Mycenae
    E. Greece
Week 6
IV.  Empires and Common Cultures
    A. India
    B. China
Week 7
    C. Near East
    D. The Americas
Week 8
V.  Connections and New Traditions
    A. Interaction and exchange
    B. New paths in thought, economy, society
    C. Conquest and convergence
Week 9
VI.  Regional Networks in Africa and the Americas
VII. Forging Connections between Europe and China
    A. Republican and Imperial Rome
    B. Han Dynasty in China
Week 10
VIII. Universal Philosophies and Religions
    A. Great schools of thought
    B. Diffusion through trade and conflict
Week 11
IX.  Reshaping the World
    A. Islam
    B. Tang China
    C. Christian Europe
Week 12
X.  Contacts and Conflicts
    A. Africa
    B. The Americas
    C. Pacific Rim
Week 13
XI.  Expanding Horizons
    A. The Mongol world
    B. Revival of commerce
    C. Nature and civilization
Week 14
XII. Connecting the Globe
    A. Exploration and conquest
    B. Religion and economics
    C. Triumphs and challenges