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Introduces processes of cultural evolution from the Paleolithic to the Three Dynasties in China. By examining archaeological remains, ancient inscriptions, and traditional texts, four major topics will be discussed: origins of modern humans, beginnings of agriculture, development of social stratification, and emergence of states and urbanism.

Greek, Roman and early Islamic urbanisms are connected in important and revealing ways, though these three are not usually studied together. All three took shape in the same part of the world, the Mediterranean and western Asia. They emerged in succession, with the earlier cities and ideas still very much part of the landscape: Greek urbanism shaped Roman cities, many of which then became Islamic cities, with major features still intact and thriving. These three urbanisms were also very different, ranging from the ideals of the polis in ancient Greece, to the spread of cities all over the Roman Empire, to shared urban patterns in farflung parts of the Islamic world. nnOur goals in this course are 1) to learn about Greek, Roman and Islamic cities, primarily through archaeological evidence; including what cities looked like in each society and why, and what it was like to live in them; 2) to compare and contrast urban components in each society, and understand why these cities were similar or different; 3) to analyze continuity and change (sometimes in the very same city) from Greek to Roman to Islamic-and reaching into the ongoing lives and changing roles of these archaeological sites and historical cities in the modern world. To do all this, we will focus on a few key themes, including different ways of organizing cities, and the roles of religion, politics and gender in shaping cities and urban experience. We'll examine houses, neighborhoods, street plans, commercial spaces and central gathering places, and we'll look closely at the built remains of particular cities: Athens, Olynthos, Rome, Pompeii, Cairo, Baghdad, and others. How were Greek, Roman and Islamic urbanisms the same? How were they different? Why did they take that shape, and with what outcomes for the people who lived in them?

Connections among science, technology, society and culture by examining the design of a prehistoric hand axe, Egyptian pyramid, ancient Greek perfume jar, medieval castle, Wedgewood teapot, Edison's electric light bulb, computer mouse, Sony Walkman, supersonic aircraft, and BMW Mini. Interdisciplinary perspectives include archaeology, cultural anthropology, science studies, history and sociology of technology, cognitive science, and evolutionary psychology.

From India to the Levant and from the Caspian Sea to the Arabian Peninsula, the Sasanian Empire (224-651 CE) was the dominant power in the Middle East till the advent of Islam. Diverse religious institutions and social practices of the Zoroastrians, Manicheans, Jews, and Christians in late antique Iran. Complex relationships between the Zoroastrian priesthood, the Sasanian monarchs, and these minority religions within the context of imperial rule. Profound religious and social changes that occurred with the Islamic conquests of Iran as well as examine the rich cultural continuities that survived from the Pre-Islamic past.

Preference to Freshmen. Prerequisite: IHUM 69A. Explore themes on the Roman Empire and its decline from the 1st through the 5th centuries C.E.. What was the political and military glue that held this diverse, multi-ethnic empire together? What were the bases of wealth and how was it distributed? What were the possibilities and limits of economic growth? How integrated was it in culture and religion? What were the causes and consequences of the conversion to Christianity? Why did the Empire fall in the West? How suitable is the analogy of the U.S. in the 21st century?

How did Rome grow from a loose gang of shepherds, exiles, and criminals to an empire of 65 million people stretching from Britain to Egypt? How and why did it then fall into ruins? Topics include Roman history, society, culture, economics, religions, and impact on Western civilization. We also discuss the origins of the republican form of government, explorations of military strategy, imperialism, slavery, and public entertainment. Focus is on original primary sources, including visual and archaeological evidence. This course also teaches general historical methodologies and techniques.

Greek history from the rise of the city state through Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia. Economics, society, culture, and technology. Competition and cooperation within and between states; the emergence of strong forms of citizenship along with chattel slavery and gender inequality; the origins and practices of democracy; and relations with non-Greek peoples. Focus is on ancient sources and archaeological remains.

Overview of ancient Egyptian pasts, from predynastic times to Greco-Roman rule, roughly 3000 BCE to 30 BCE. Attention to archaeological sites and artifacts; workings of society; and cultural productions, both artistic and literary.

Cultural and political background for Athens of the 5th and 4th century BC. Athenian economy of the 4th century BC. Economic ideas of Plato, Aristotle, and Xenophon. Pros and Cons of utilitarianism in light of the ethical theories of Plato and Aristotle. Economy and economics of ancient Greece will be compared to the same of ancient China. There is an interesting parallel.