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This class will survey the history of the area variously known as Inner Asia or Central Eurasia, up to the conquest of the whole area by the Mongols in the thirteenth century A.D. The main focus will be on the eastern area of Central Eurasia, although the western steppes will also be covered. Main themes include the origins of nomadism, geographical and ecological zones, the early and continuing interactions of Iranian, Altaic, and other languages, Inner Asian familial, military, and government institutions, relations with sedentary empires (China, Iran, Roman), the role of oasis merchants, the spread of scriptural religions (Buddhism, Manichaeism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam), and the rise of literacy and writing systems. Readings will include modern surveys, monographs, and primary sources in translation. Quizzes, midterm, final, and (for graduate students) a paper.
Goodbody Hall 157 | 1011 East 3rd St. | Bloomington, IN 47405-7005 | Phone: (812) 855-2233 | Fax: (812) 855-7500 | ceus@indiana.edu