History 253

In this course, you will learn about the rise and features of Asian Civilization and how the peoples of East and South Asia interacted with each other and with other regional and global societies. We will also examine how Asian societies have responded to the challenge of Western expansion beginning in the 16th century. You will learn about the intellectual and religious foundations of Asian cultures as well as the great trade routes and political and social underpinning of those cultures.

You will participate in web discussions, take five quizzes, work in a group on a slideshow presentation, and take a proctored midterm and final assessment. The primary text will be Rhoads Murphey's History of Asia, 6th ed., 2009 and you will need to view weekly PowerPoint presentations. In order to have meaningful class discussions, everyone will follow the same weekly schedule.

This course will benefit you in exposing you to the rise of cultures that were just as advanced and in many ways, more advanced, than the West during ancient times and until the modern era. Much of the science and technology that the West used in its growth and expansion from the Renaissance to today derived from exposure to Middle East and Asian societies. This will help you understand the development of world history in a light to which you may not have been previously exposed.

Course Prerequisites

The following are required for entry into this course:

• You should be able to use a computer and create attachments in e-mail
• You should be able to write at the college level.
• You should know how to use Canvas.
• You should be able to learn how to post to the Discussions.
• You should be able to use PowerPoint or similar slide show program.
• You should have reliable access to the internet.

If you feel you lack any of these, please contact me immediately.