The Silk Road: Then and Now

Class Description

Central Asia is a vast area. The Indian subcontinent was and is one of the world's largest economies. The fabled silk roads, on land and sea, were and are now a major area of trade. This course will focus on that geography, its past, present and likely future. It will explore trade, transmission of culture, and global economics. This is not about China. It is about the vast land and sea lanes that stretch from the Philippines to Turkey. And, yes, I have been involved in beating off pirates in the Straits of Malacca from the deck of a freighter. From the Pacific Ocean, through central Asia to the Bosporus, by land and by sea, through and around India this has been and still is one of the busiest sets of commercial routes in the world. Learn about this very interesting and important region in terms of economics and culture. International trade is part of my professional work, and I'm eager to share this combination of history, current developments, and future scenarios. In Person: B2 Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:45 Class limit: 40