Decontextualised History Lecture Series

DECONTEXTUALISED HISTORY LECTURE SERIES History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days. ~Winston Churchill~

History is a fascinating subject that knows no boundaries. The history of man has always been eventful and full of controversies. I will be holding a series of decontextualised one-hour lectures for those with a strong passion for history and a thirst for knowledge. These topics are related to what you are studying but are not in your syllabus. Lecture 1: “Ancient Egypt: Land of the Pharaohs” Chapter 3: Birth of Civilisations Term 2 Week 1

Five thousand years ago the chain of independent city-states lining the River Nile united to form one long, thin country ruled by one king, or pharaoh. Almost instantly a highly distinctive culture developed. For almost 30 centuries Egypt remained the foremost nation in the Mediterranean world. Then, in 332 BC, the arrival of Alexander the Great heralded the end of the Egyptian way of life. All ancient civilisations have contributed in some way to the development of modern society. All therefore are equally deserving of study. Why then do so many people choose to concentrate on Egypt? What does the culture of ancient Egypt offer the modern world that other cultures - those of Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, or China do not?

Lecture 2: “The Caste System: From Past to the Present” Chapter 5: Organisation of Society Term 2 Week 3

The Indian caste system has been in use for many years. Still today the values of the caste system are held strongly. It has kept a sense of order, and peace among the people. There are five different levels of the system: Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and Harijans. Within each of these categories are the actual "castes" or jatis within which people are born, marry, and die. They all have their own place among each other and accept that it is the way to keep society from disintegrating to chaos. This system has worked well for Indian people and still has a major role in modern India. What were the origins of the caste system and what were their social impacts? What is relevance of the caste system in modern India today?

Lecture 3: “Shi Huangdi: His Final Years” Chapter 4: Government Term 2 Week 4

In this lecture, we will look at Shi Huangdi’s desperate attempt to escape death and his plans for creating a terracotta army for himself to follow him through death. In his final years, Shi Huangdi became quite withdrawn and mystical, much like Russia's Rasputin. He surrounded himself with magicians and alchemists, providing them only one task: to find or create an immortality formula. Shi Huangdi was becoming increasingly more maniacal near his death, and wanted an potion that would allow him to rule as a divine emperor (convinced of his deification) forever. He soon died--

broken, insane, and alone--after a trip to Japan in search of his essential elixir of life in 210 BCE.

Lecture 4: “China and Greece: Order through Philosophy” Chapter 6: Religion and Philosophy Term 2 Week 5

How does philosophy intersect with the social world? How does philosophical thinking contribute to better understanding of society? In this lecture, we will further your understanding of the three philosophies used in China: Legalism, Confucianism and Taoism. How did these three philosophies translate into practical reality? We will then move on the Ancient Greece where philosophy played a crucial role with the birth of great philosophers who attempt to understand their world better. What were the effects of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle on Sparta, Athens and Corinth?

Lecture 5: “Zheng He or Columbus: Who Founded America?” Chapter 8: Contact and Interaction Term 2 Week 6

Through his seven voyages of discovery to the West, Zheng He helped transform China into the superpower of his time. Little did the famous Muslim geographer, Ibn Battuta know that about 22 years after his historic visit to China, the Mongol Dynasty (called the Yuan Dynasty in China) would be overthrown. The Ming Dynasty (1368 1644) would begin. A Muslim boy would help a Chinese prince. That prince would become emperor and the boy would grow up to be the "Admiral of the Chinese Fleet." Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was an Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, hoping to find a route to India (in order to trade for

spices). He made a total of four trips to the Caribbean and South America during the years 1492-1504. In this lecture, we will look at the differing motives of Zhang He and Columbus for exploration, their traveling routes and their influence. We will also look at the controversy over who founded America.

Lecture 6: “Prophecies from the Past: Apocalypse 2012” Chapter 1: An Introduction to History Term 2 Week 9

How seriously should you take the talk about an end of the world 2012 earth prophecy? To be more precise, December 21 2012 has been suggested as the end of the world, earth as we know it. Some would say that on an ancient Mayan calendar 2012 points to the end of the world. Others say that in both Nostradamus and the Ancient Book I Ching have both predicted the end of the world in 2012. In this lecture (back by popular demand), we will explore the various prophecies from the past and watch videos to see how the world would end. Lecture Ancient Egypt: Land of the Pharaohs The Caste System: From Past to the Present Shi Huang Di: His Final Years China and Greece: Order Through Philosophy Zheng He or Columbus: Who Founded America? Prophecies from the Past: Apocalypse 2012

Date 25/3 (Wed)

Time 1500-1600

Venue AV Room

8/4 (Wed)

1500-1600

AV Room

15/4 (Wed)

1500-1600

AV Room

22/4 (Wed)

1500-1600

AV Room

29/4 (Wed)

1500-1600

AV Room

20/5 (Wed)

1500-1600

AV Room

1. These lectures will have a maximum capacity of 25 students. It will be on a 2.

first come first serve basis. Those interested in attending any of the lectures, please express your interest by emailing to [email protected]. You are to state your name, class and

3. 4.

the lecture that you are interested in. Alternatively, you can sign up by writing your name on the registration sheet which will be placed on the notice board outside the canteen. Please check your email or the notice board outside the canteen the day before the lecture to see if there are any changes in the lecture venue. If there are any enquiries, do not hesitate to look for me, Mr. Leslie Tay, at the Staff Room. (ext 273)