6 points
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prohibitions:
HSY1050
Objectives On successful completion of the subject students should have a basic understanding of major developments in the cultural and political history of Asia in the premodern period.
Synopsis This subject provides students with a broad overview of Asian history from antiquity to the dawn of European maritime exploration in the sixteenth century. Topics studied include the Indus Valley civilisation, Hinduism and the caste system, traditional political thought, the rise of great empires in India, China and Southeast Asia, Mahayana Buddhism, the Japanese samurai, and Genghiz Khan and the Mongols. Although lectures tend to focus on the big picture, supplying a broad, connected, survey of important events or concepts, students will have an opportunity to specialise on particular countries or issues in their tutorials and essay work.
Assessment Written (2500 words): 50%
* Examinations (2 hours): 40%
* Seminar participation/class participation: 10%
Recommended texts
Basham A L The wonder that was India Penguin
Farmer E L and others A comparative history of civilization in Asia vol. I, AddisonWesley
Murphey R A history of Asia Harper-Collins, 1966
Reischauer E O East Asia: the great tradition Allen and Unwin, 1960
Schirokauer C A Brief history of Chinese and Japanese civilizations HBJ
Thapar R A Short history of India vol. I, Penguin
Williams L Southeast Asia: A history OUP, 1976
| Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria
3168 Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996 |