2012-13 upper school course description book - University Liggett ...

Second Semester
The Byzantine Empire, 330-1453
Second semester, 1/2 credit
When the city of Rome fell to Germans in AD 476, the empire of Rome lived on in the east for another
thousand years. Centered on the city of Constantinople, the Christian empire of Byzantium was a society
of contrasts. It produced some of the finest art and architecture of the ancient and medieval worlds,
while waging war more years than it was at peace. It protected and preserved ancient knowledge while
engaging in bitter religious debates. Through a sustained analysis of primary sources and scholarly
articles, research, and other activities, students will learn how this “lost empire” helped to shape the
modern world.
A History of Byzantium (2nd edition, 2010) ISBN 10: 140518471X or 13:9781405184717
by Timothy E. Gregory
Wiley-Blackwell Publishers
Asian Studies
Second semester, 1/2 credit
This course will explore the part of the world likely to dominate the 21st century: the recent past, present
and possible future of China, as well as several other countries of East and Southeast Asia including
Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Each will become a case study as students investigate
its unique history, geography, economy, government and cultural dimensions. In this age of
globalization, an underlying theme will be to see how these countries are trying to balance traditional
values while struggling to become developed nations, successfully competing with the West. Guests in
person and via Skype will enhance our understanding of that region of the world.
A Short History of South-East Asia (2006) ISBN 0-4708-2181-7
Peter Church editor
John Wiley & Sons Publishing
China Road (2008) ISBN 978-8129-7524-6
by Rob Gifford
Random House Publishers
Comparative Government: Global Issues
Second semester, 1/2 credit
This semester-long course is designed to introduce students to the study of comparative government and
politics, using six countries with distinctly different governmental and political systems as case studies:
the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of
Iran, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the United Mexican States. Students will be asked to evaluate
news sources, interpret and critique expert opinions, and have educated discussions about the global
issues that dominate the world around us. They will also be asked to take an active role in the selection
of discussion topics that seem most pertinent and relevant to their world and lead the class in a direction
that helps give them a better and more informed view of the world around them. In addition, students
will work during the semester, through several project-based assessments, on solving an issue that
complicates the world today. By completing research and connecting with government agencies, nonprofit
organizations, and interest groups students will provide informed and detailed positions on how
to fix this problem in our communities, country, and world.
20