History 109: Historical Roots of East Asia

This course considers selected moments in the early history of East Asia which have become the foundations for the identities of the Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese peoples. We will critically assess both how common traditions linked these groups together, and also how the processes of reinterpretation, migration, and trade imbued these traditions with distinctive cultural flavors. We will examine the varied historical moments that have become the different origin points for the peoples of East Asia, along with the development and spread of some of the major innovations during early East Asian history such as agriculture, writing, and state formation. We will also consider the influence of systems of thought such as Confucianism and Buddhism on societies and cultures within East Asia. Readings include secondary texts, archaeological evidence, and primary sources in translation.