World History, Circa 500 to 1750

This course surveys world history from the sixth century into the mid-eighteenth century:  the "middle" period between classical antiquity and modern times. The focus will be on cultural-technological exchange, interaction and interdependence.  The first part (500-1000) covers the formation of regional societies and cultures in Eurasia, Africa, and Mesoamerica. The second part (1000-1400) examines both growing commercial contact in Afro-Eurasia and conflicts engendered by Muslim rule in Spain, the Crusades, and the Mongol conquests. The final segment (1400-1750) of the course focuses on the Columbian exchange, political transformations, and cultural responses during the global expansion of European maritime empires and Asian land empires. Transferable for UC credit.