Channel logo

Foundations of Eastern Civilization

Season 1
Eastern civilization has its own fascinating story, with consequences that matter deeply to our lives today. Now you can take a grand journey to explore the big accomplishments of Eastern civilization, from the material economy of day-to-day life to the political and religious philosophies that would bind Eastern cultures together.
201348 episodesTV-PG
Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy

Terms apply

Prime membership required

Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - Journey to the East
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Embark on your exciting voyage through the geography, history, people, and culture of Eastern civilization with a reflection on three key words of the course. What do we mean by "Eastern"? By "civilization"? By "foundations"? This lecture readies you for the fascinating journey to come. #History
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  2. S1 E2 - Yin and Yang - The Geography of China
    October 24, 2013
    28min
    TV-PG
    Start with the geography and climate of China, the very cradle of Eastern civilization. After looking at the geographical regions of China, you'll explore the country's two great river systems - the Huang Ye (or Yellow River) and the Yangtze (or Chang Jiang) - which have divided Chinese culture into two distinct regions.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  3. S1 E3 - Early China and the Mysterious Xia
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Go back to the beginnings of Chinese history and see what archaeological evidence tells us about humans in the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras. Then look at the fragmented cultures of early civilizations - including the mysterious Xia dynasty, which, until recently, was thought to be a purely mythical culture.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  4. S1 E4 - The Coming of the Shang
    October 24, 2013
    28min
    TV-PG
    While we still don't know much about the Xia dynasty, we have indisputable evidence that the Shang dynasty was responsible for the development of Chinese writing, the creation of a complex social structure, and the construction of the first large cities in East Asia. In this lecture, you'll visit the cities and tombs of the first significant Chinese dynasty.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  5. S1 E5 - The Shang and Writing for the Gods
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    In this second lecture on the Shang dynasty, learn about the enigmatic "oracle bones" and the origins of Chinese writing. Then turn to the Shang society's social organization, religious practices, and cosmology, and find out how one of the core cultural and philosophical beliefs of Eastern civilization - the concept of yin and yang - emerged during the Shang dynasty.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  6. S1 E6 - The Zhou and the Mandate of Heaven
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Unpack a core theme in the foundation of Chinese government. The Mandate of Heaven - a belief that seizure of power could be justified as an expression of divine will - would resonate in Chinese political history for 3,000 years. Learn about the Zhou's overthrow of the Shang dynasty and the rich legacy of the Zhou dynasty.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  7. S1 E7 - Great Ideas of the Zhou - Confucianism
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    During the Warring States Era at the end of the Zhou dynasty, several great Chinese thinkers considered the nature of society and government. Since that era, Confucianism has been the guiding philosophy of China and much of East Asia for more than 2,500 years. Find out about Confucius's life, his philosophy, and his followers.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  8. S1 E8 - Great Ideas of the Zhou - Later Confucianism
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    Return to the followers of Confucius and consider two contrasting views of human nature and political theory. While Mencius believed humans were innately good and were entrusted with the Mandate of Heaven, Xunzi believed human nature was essentially evil. Both philosophers, however, remained faithful to Confucius's belief in the need for well-educated, ethical rulers.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  9. S1 E9 - Great Ideas of the Zhou - Daoism
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    Continue your study of great Chinese philosophy with a thorough examination of Daoism, which runs counter to Confucianism's rationality and civic engagement. Daoism offers a path for humans to live in harmony with the natural world and the cosmos by retreating from the world of politics and society.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  10. S1 E10 - Great Ideas of the Zhou - Legalism
    October 24, 2013
    28min
    TV-PG
    Conclude your survey of the Zhou dynasty's great philosophical traditions with a look at the principles of Legalism - strict laws enforced by gruesome punishment in order to create an orderly state. Meet Legalism's key thinkers and examine the philosophy's legacy in defining Eastern societies through the present day.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  11. S1 E11 - The Qin and the First Emperor of China
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    After the Warring States Era, the Qin dynasty emerged. Although the Qin ruled China for only 15 years, the dynasty established a model of government that became the country's template for the next 2,000 years. Meet China's first emperors and study the impact of Qin rule, from political reform to massive building projects.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  12. S1 E12 - Contact with the West - The Early Han
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    To this day, the Chinese still refer to themselves as "the Han people." What made the Han dynasty such an enduring part of Chinese history? How did it lay down important foundations for Eastern civilization? Witness the age of imperial expansion and see how Han dynasty emperors consolidated China under a strong central government - and how that government eventually unraveled.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  13. S1 E13 - Triumph and Tragedy - The Later Han
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    In this second lecture on the Han, you explore the dynasty's deep and vibrant cultural legacy, from its system of education to its porcelain pottery and jade burial suits. You'll also look at the Han's extraordinary innovations in science and technology, including the iron industry and the invention of paper.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  14. S1 E14 - Silk Roads - In the Footsteps of Nomads
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    In this first of five lectures on the Silk Roads - the pathways that connected China with the West during the Han dynasty - Professor Benjamin introduces you the pastoral nomads who rivaled the Han dynasty and played a critical role in creating trade routes by migrating into Central Asia.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  15. S1 E15 - Silk Roads - The Envoy Zhang Qian
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Meet the Chinese ambassador Zhang Qian, whose epic adventure changed the course of world history. His story begins with an expedition into the neighboring Xiongnu territory, where he was captured and held hostage for 10 years. After a daring escape, he fled into Central Asia and returned to China with fabulous stories, which inspired the emperor to send him on several subsequent missions west.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  16. S1 E16 - Silk Roads - Perils of Camels and Caravans
    October 24, 2013
    28min
    TV-PG
    Discover the many geographical challenges merchants faced as they made their way into Central Asia. Trace the route a caravan would take, west across mountains and deserts, and discover the various middlemen responsible for the transmission of goods and information between China and, eventually, Europe.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  17. S1 E17 - Silk Roads - Rome and Roads from the West
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Step back from Eastern civilization and explore life from the Roman perspective. After an overview of Roman history, you'll find out how Mediterranean traders organized their end of the exchange with the East and what impact silk and other luxury goods from Asia had on Greco-Roman culture.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  18. S1 E18 - Silk Roads - The Lost Kushan Empire
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Examine one of the great "lost civilizations." Although they are largely unknown outside of specialist circles, the Kushans played an immensely important role as middlemen in the trade routes between China and the Roman Empire. Find out who the Kushans were and what makes them so crucial to the story of the Silk Roads.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  19. S1 E19 - Origins of Buddhism
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Take another excursion away from East Asia - this time to explore the Indian origins of Buddhism. Learn about the gods of the Indus civilization, the origins of the caste system, and the emergence of new religions in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C.E. After studying the life of Siddhartha Gautama, you'll survey the key beliefs and practices of Buddhism.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  20. S1 E20 - The Age of Disunity
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Return to China and the era of fragmentation and conflict that followed the fall of the Han dynasty. Three kingdoms emerged, followed by the Jin and Sui dynasties. In this age of disunity, Buddhism made remarkable inroads into China as an alternative to Confucianism and Daoism, offering hope of salvation during a chaotic period.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  21. S1 E21 - The Great Taizong and the Rise of the Tang
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    After 350 years of fragmentation, the short-lived Sui dynasty unified China in the year 581, laying the foundation for the great Tang dynasty. See how the Tang dynasty reorganized China into a powerful, prosperous, and culturally sophisticated society by reforming the government and capitalizing on the demand for Chinese products, thanks to the Silk Roads.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  22. S1 E22 - Changan and the Glittering Tang
    October 24, 2013
    28min
    TV-PG
    Go inside the splendid court of Emperor Xuanzong in the great capital city of Changan. During Xuanzong's 44-year reign in the 8th century, foreign merchants, students, and pilgrims bustled around the court. Stylish women were adorned with jewels from all over Eurasia. Art and poetry flourished, creating one of the most fashionable and cultured courts in the entire world.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  23. S1 E23 - Korea - Mysterious Beginnings
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    In the first of four lectures about Korea, Professor Benjamin surveys the nation's rugged terrain, its mountains and caves and rivers. He then uses archaeological evidence to trace the emergence of civilization in the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras, when early clan-based villages produced distinctive pottery and had a fascinating variety of religious beliefs.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  24. S1 E24 - Korea - The Land of Morning Calm
    October 24, 2013
    30min
    TV-PG
    Continue your study of Korea with a look at how ancient values and ideas, which were firmly rooted in the environment, became the foundations of the culture and history of the Korean people. Consider the early interaction between China and Korea, and witness the emergence of three powerful kingdoms that appeared late in the 1st century B.C.E.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy
  25. S1 E25 - Korea - The Unified Silla
    October 24, 2013
    29min
    TV-PG
    Discover how the Silla kingdom united most of Korea by forging an alliance with the Tang dynasty in China. After examining how the Silla kingdom was organized, you'll turn to the northern Parhae kingdom - the beginning of a long history of division between north and south on the Korean peninsula.
    Free trial of The Great Courses Signature Collection or buy

Details

More info

Subtitles
None available
Producers
The Great Courses
Cast
Craig G. Benjamin
Studio
The Great Courses
By clicking play, you agree to our Terms of Use.