The Origins of Political Order in Asia

(4 Credits)

This course examines the origins and development of political order in Asia from antiquity to the present. Drawing on social science and historical scholarship, students will explore how geography, religion, social class, and imperial legacies shaped political authority across China, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. Topics include early state formation, the rise and fall of empires, the impact of colonialism, and the transformations of the modern era. The course emphasizes critical engagement with leading works in political science and history and understanding Asian history via the theories and tools of political science.