Did you know that the Mongols displayed a devoutly and persistently international zeal in their political, economic, and international endeavors? They sought not merely to conquer the world, but to institute a global order based on free trade, acceptance of all religions, a single international law, and a universal alphabet with which to write all languages.

Did they succeed?

Starting in early 1200 A.D., Mongolia created the largest empire the world had ever seen, then and now, reaching from the Koreas to the Balkan States and Austria, and including China.

We will study how these events took shape over a number of hereditary descendants, starting with Genghis Kahn.

What effect did this Mongol Empire building have on the affairs of the rest of the “civilized” world of the West?

We will discuss these and other question with the aid of some DVD presentations, the required text, a visiting professor on present-day Mongolian political and social history, and ending with a look at the Mongolia of today from the eyes of a tourist (me).

Participants will be asked to present a chapter from the book to the class.