New Lectures in History (300-0-26)
Topic
Silk Road Empires
Instructors
Jeffrey Eric Eden
847/491-7448
Jeff Eden (Ph.D., Harvard, 2016) is a historian of Russia and Central Asia. His books include God Save the USSR: Soviet Muslims and the Second World War (Oxford, 2021) and Slavery and Empire in Central Asia (Cambridge, 2018). At Northwestern, he offers a range of courses on Russian, Eurasian, and global history. In 2022, his dog Bella was awarded "Best Smile" at the St. Mary's Pet Talent Show in southern Maryland.
Meeting Info
Harris Hall L06: Mon, Wed 9:30AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
The Crossroads of the World. The Pivot of History. The Graveyard of Empires. For all its grand nicknames, Central Eurasia remains a region little studied in the West. This course endeavors to separate fact from fantasy while introducing the social, cultural, and political history of Central Eurasia from medieval times to the modern age. Special topics include the rise and rule of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane; nomadic society in the steppe; cultural encounters and diverse religious traditions; and the rise of the Russian Empire.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
• Evaluate textual arguments for their usefulness, cohesiveness, and logic.
• Identify and access relevant information sources.
• Use effective oral expression strategies in making a formal presentation.
• Demonstrate effective written communication with use of revision.
• Participate responsibly and respectfully in informal group discussions.
Evaluation Method
-Attendance and participation 35%
-Final Paper 30%
-Response Papers (x5) 35% total (7% each)
Class Notes
Areas of concentration: European; Asia/Middle East
Class Attributes
Historical Studies Distro Area