The Past as Prologue

The present-day character of the world's major regions--Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America--has been shaped by centuries of history, not only specific events such as wars, elections and peace treaties but also long-term developments in culture, language, religion and politics. This course provides a framework for thinking about general historical trends in selected regions of the world, while emphasizing case histories of countries in each region. By examining these national histories, students not only deepen their knowledge of key regions around the world, but also gain analytical skills that enable them to continue learning about other cultures and societies, and the many ways in which the past shapes the present.