%0 Journal Article
%T Teaching Central Eurasia in Undergraduate Survey Courses: Problems and Strategies
%A Amy Kardos
%J The ASIANetwork Exchange
%D 2014
%R http://doi.org/10.16995/ane.83
%X Senior Lecturer History Department Recent scholarship has challenged narratives of Central Eurasia¡¯s relationships with its neighbors in East Asia, South Asia, and Southwest Asia. This scholarship explains the trade networks that are commonly called the ¡°Silk Routes¡± as the foreign trade component of a complex and dynamic Central Eurasian economy. Scholarship of Central Eurasia also challenges long-standing narratives of ¡°needy¡± or ¡°predatory¡± nomads that militarily overwhelm sedentary empires. This article discusses the importance of incorporating such ideas into world history and Asian history survey courses, which are often taught by non-specialists who have only encountered Central Eurasia in their respective fields as a periphery. Correcting misconceptions about Central Eurasia¡¯s relationship with its neighbors also provides opportunities for students to think critically about historical sources and move past stereotypes of ¡°barbarian¡± and ¡°civilization.¡±
%U https://www.asianetworkexchange.org/articles/10.16995/ane.83/