Introduction

In this course, students examine the economic and cultural exchanges in the Indian Ocean world, the center of world economy prior to the rise of Europe.  The readings treat a diverse set of historical processes and events:  Mongol horsemen moving over the ancient silk routes; 11th and 12th century Jewish merchants moving goods and themselves across the Indian Ocean; a 14th century Muslim wanderer, looking at the cultural worlds from Morocco to China; Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca; and even a British colonial official looking at Burmese society.  Students will thus have the opportunity to sample the cultural diversity of a region where people spoke hundreds of languages and practiced the world’s major religions including, to name a few, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Jainism.  And, as budding historians, students will come to understand the processes of change that transformed these societies.

In order to pass the course, students will need to know well the region’s geography and general historical trends described in the readings, films and lectures. However, in this course, students will not be required to memorize extensive laundry list of events, dates, and names.  Instead, we will concentrate our discussions on the diversities and complexities of historical experience exhibited in the region over the long term.  In the end, the most valuable things students will take from this course is an understanding of the contradictions and paradoxes of history, and the ability to ask important questions about them.
 

Reading List

Amitav Ghosh, In an Antique Land:  History in the Guise of a Traveler’s Tale.

Ross Dunn, The Adventures of Ibn Battuta:  A Muslim Traveler of the 14th Century.

David Morgan, The Mongols.

David Pearson, Pilgrimage to Mecca:  The Indian Experience 1500 - 1800.

George Orwell, Burmese Days.
 

Recitation Sections.

On Monday and Wednesday every other week, students meet in smaller groups to discuss the readings with either Conte or Luke.  Students bring responses to discussion questions and sometimes meet in small groups before larger group discussion of the issues.
 
 
 
 

Attendance/Evaluation

Attendance - Regular attendance is expected during lecture and required during the recitation sections.

Exams - Students will complete two short answer exams which test comprehension of the readings, lectures and maps.  (40%)

Essays - Students will write two short synthetic essays, which ask students to express ideas formulated around course materials, including movies, readings and lectures.  (40%)

Research Project - Students will complete a library project designed to teach basic research skills useful for the social sciences and humanities. The final product will consist of an annotated bibliography and a short essay that describes the research process and lays out a well defined research topic.  The library assignment will be handed out during class on Wednesday, January 13th.  This is not a research paper per se.  (20%)
 

Civility

I expect students to respect one another and the instructor.  Therefore, please arrive at class on time and do not leave until class time has expired (if you do need to leave early, please see Deborah or me before class and sit near an exit).
 

Schedule

To be distributed Wednesday, January 13th.