Genghis Khan should be Exhibit A in any historian’s argument for the Great Man Theory of history. Thanks to his unique and visionary leadership, the rise of the Mongol Empire changed everything. Their conquests swept away dozens of empires and kingdoms and replaced them with the largest contiguous empire in history. Far from being merely marauding hordes, the Mongols were agents of political, economic, and cultural change who shaped the future of China, Russia, Iran, India, and all of Europe, as well as numerous lesser states.

Format: Participants will read weekly selections of text from prominent historians and will be encouraged, but not required, to make presentations of 15-20 minutes in length. Active participation in class discussions is expected.

Resources/Expenses: The main text will be The Mongol Conquests in World History by Timothy May (2012), which ranges from an account of Genghis’s early years in the 12th century to the Empire’s several successor regimes which lasted for centuries. Used copies and a Kindle version are available from Amazon for less than $30.00. A variety of journal and magazine articles will supplement the text, copies being supplied online by the coordinator.