This
course is an introduction to the pre-modern history of Asia. We will focus on
the following Asian countries: China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Most students
in the West may only be familiar with these nations in the context of the
traumatic episodes of war and violence and revolution that swept the region
throughout the twentieth century. However, these countries are heirs to long
histories of cultural brilliance and diversity. In this class we will first
explore how the history of this region has shaped the common bonds that bring
this part of the world together as a whole. Secondly, we will consider how the
literary traditions of these various societies depict the social and political
conditions from which modern Asian nations would later emerge.
Students
taking this course should reach the following goals by the end of the semester:
q
Construct
persuasive written arguments concerned with historical topics.
q
Learn
of the fundamental historical development of ancient Asian societies in the
regions of modern-day China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam from earliest times to
ca. 1800.
q
Understand
better the effect the ancient past has had on the modern world.
q
Exhibit
self-motivation and self-expression by exploring and asking questions regarding
historical topics beyond personal life experiences.