History 239TB - Topics in Asian History: 'Travels and Tibet in the Modern Era'

The seminar focuses on the global history centered on the Tibetan Plateau. Often referred to as "the Roof of the World," the plateau has been a magnet for missionaries, pilgrims, merchants, botanists, and military powers for centuries. Students will read travelogues of those who journeyed to Tibet since the early modern era from the 1600s. These travelers not only documented their expeditions but also brought back objects they believed represented Tibet. These materials will complement the textual sources, and the textual and material representations tell a history of Tibet that reflects both the travelers and Tibet itself, despite the potential distortions and incompleteness in these materials. To that end, students will also explore materials by Tibetans and about their world to provide a well-rounded perspective.