Schedule of Classes

Cross-cultural encounters inspire civilizations to look more closely at themselves and sometimes to change in significant ways. In some cases--such as the Crusades--contact created enduring conflict and misunderstanding. Others--such as the eighth-century Greco-Arabic translation movement and the twelfth-century Islamic, Mozarabic, and Christian intellectual collaborations in Spain led to mutually beneficial achievements. This course investigates these and other examples of cross-cultural contacts in world history.

Analytical and comparative survey of the formative stages of early non-Western civilizations in five geographical regions. The basic cultural patterns and geographical patterns that emerged between approximately 3500 BCE and 1500 CE will be studied, compared, and related to present developments.

Growth and development of non-Western civilizations since c. 1500 CE in their geographical contexts. Reactions of indigenous peoples and cultural patterns to Western penetration and imperialism. Present development and practices.