ASN1010

Introduction to Asian civilisations, part 1

Jane Drakard, Adrian Buzo and Ian Mabbett

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 and class participation: 10%

Prescribed texts

Murphey R A history of Asia Harper Collins, 1966

Recommended texts

Basham A L The wonder that was India Penguin, 1974
Reischauer E O East Asia: The great tradition Allen and Unwin, 1960
Schirokauer C A Brief history of Chinese and Japanese civilizations HBJ, 1978
Thapar R A Short history of India vol. 1, Penguin, 1986
Williams L Southeast Asia: A history OUP, 1976