Maritime history involves more than trade. This course explores the political, economic, social, and criminal (piracy and smuggling) interactions between China, Southeast Asia, and India from the 16th century to the present day. Students will study about pan-Asian trade and tribute interactions, and retrace the migrations of different ethnic groups as they interacted across maritime Asia. Special attention will be paid to the cultural diversities of each group and the reasons behind their migrations, exchanges, and encounters.

CILO-1: Demonstrate knowledge of the main events, conjunctures, and long-term changes and continuities in the maritime history of Asia from prehistory until the nineteenth century. CILO-2: Utilize different maps, chronologies, and various types of historical source materials to understand the history of maritime Asia. CILO-3: Explain and assess historical processes leading to the development connections between Eastern Africa, the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asian Straits, the South China Sea, and the Pacific. CILO-4: Synthesize and create new narratives to explain the interconnected histories of the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and Pacific Ocean regions. CILO-5: Acquire basic reading and writing skills in Asian maritime history.