The primary focus for the first half of the course is Asia and
the countries of China, Japan and India. In each case, some attention is paid first to the
culture of the country, its religion, language and habits of daily life. The focus on the
historical part of the unit is on the period from the last decade of the 19th century, the
Age of Imperialism, to the present. In every case, heavy emphasis is placed on the role
that history and culture play in a country's actions in the present. Understanding these
countries of Asia is critical for the citizens of the United States in the 21st
century;
this understanding can only come from a study of their history and past relationships with
others.
A final part of this semester is
the unit on Latin America, with a focus on the countries of Brazil, Chile and Mexico. In
this section, emphasis is placed on the role of the United States in relations with Latin
American areas, both historically and on contemporary issues. As our partners in the
Western Hemisphere, it is important that Americans understand these nations and support
their moves toward democracy and stability.
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