This course will explore the art and archaeology of the eastern Iranian world, Central Asia and northern India before from the Achaemenid Perian Empire through the coming of Islam (ca. 550 BCE to 700 CE). It will focus, however, on the period between Alexander the Great and the Sasanian Empire, and thus on the Seleucid, Mauryan, Greco-Bactrian, Indo-Greek, Arsacid, and Kushan kingdoms and empires of Iran and South Asia. The course will thus study the impact of Persian, Hellenistic, Indian and Central Asian steppe nomadic visual and material cultures on these regions. One of its focal points will be on the development of Buddhist art in Afghanistan and Northern India (Gandhara), which selectively integrated aspects of Hellenistic visual culture to craft a visual message in a prestigious and globally intelligible idiom. 
Days: MO WE  12:00-01:20 PM

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions and has been the religion of the Persian Empire throughout antiquity. It has influenced immensely the development of other religions attested in Asia and the Mediterranean in the pre-modern period. Unlike other faiths professed in the ancient world, Zoroastrianism has survived to this day, and Zoroastrian communities exist in India and Iran, as well as in Europe and North-America. In fact, many believers in the Best Religion now live in Southern California. Zoroastrian religious tenets developed in constant dialogue with other traditions, during our classes we will see how this happened in the various historical periods.

The aim of the course is to introduce the history of the Zoroastrian community from beginnings to the present day while discussing its religious beliefs seen from an historical point of view. The main text that will be used is Mary Boyce’s Zoroastrians. Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Other points of view will be introduced in class.
Days: TU TH  11:00-12:20 PM

This course is a survey of Iranian history in the context of Late Antique and Medieval Islamic History. We shall attempt to present a view that Iranshahr (Realm of Iranians), could be studied as a separate cultural center amidst the Islamic world. We will begin with the rise of the last great Sasanian king of kings, Khusro I in the 6th CE to through the Mongol conquest and the Il-Khanid settlement in the 14th century CE. During this time period Iranshahr went through much political and religious upheaval and changes which is usually studied in the context of Medieval Islamic history. The aim of this course is to focus on the Perso-Islamicate world which includes the modern countries of Central Asia (Afghanistan, Uzbekestan, Tajikestan) and the Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, R. of Azarbijan), as well as Mesopotamia (Iraq)

(Satisfies Pre-1800 Requirement)
Days: TU TH  02:00-03:20 PM

This course will explore the art and archaeology of the eastern Iranian world, Central Asia and northern India before from the Achaemenid Perian Empire through the coming of Islam (ca. 550 BCE to 700 CE). It will focus, however, on the period between Alexander the Great and the Sasanian Empire, and thus on the Seleucid, Mauryan, Greco-Bactrian, Indo-Greek, Arsacid, and Kushan kingdoms and empires of Iran and South Asia. The course will thus study the impact of Persian, Hellenistic, Indian and Central Asian steppe nomadic visual and material cultures on these regions. One of its focal points will be on the development of Buddhist art in Afghanistan and Northern India (Gandhara), which selectively integrated aspects of Hellenistic visual culture to craft a visual message in a prestigious and globally intelligible idiom. 
Days: MO WE  12:00-01:20 PM

Emphasis/Category: World Religious Traditions (Category 1)

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions and has been the religion of the Persian Empire throughout antiquity. It has influenced immensely the development of other religions attested in Asia and the Mediterranean in the pre-modern period. Unlike other faiths professed in the ancient world, Zoroastrianism has survived to this day, and Zoroastrian communities exist in India and Iran, as well as in Europe and North-America. In fact, many believers in the Best Religion now live in Southern California. Zoroastrian religious tenets developed in constant dialogue with other traditions, during our classes we will see how this happened in the various historical periods.

The aim of the course is to introduce the history of the Zoroastrian community from beginnings to the present day while discussing its religious beliefs seen from an historical point of view. The main text that will be used is Mary Boyce’s Zoroastrians. Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Other points of view will be introduced in class.
Days: TU TH  11:00-12:20 PM