This course examines the history of China’s relations with the outside world from the founding of the Ming dynasty to the twentieth century and assesses China’s place in global history. We will begin with a discussion of the historiographical debate concerning China’s so-called “tribute system” and “Sinocentric world order.” Inquiries will be made into ways in which China interacted with, and was viewed by, outside societies and civilizations. Our analytical approach will be wide-ranging, and in our examination of China’s relations with the outside world we will consider various spheres of interaction, including, but not limited to, science, diplomacy, commerce, religion, and intellectual thought. Some background knowledge of Chinese history will be helpful, but is not required.