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Inner Asian & Uralic National Resource Center (IAUNRC) Sinor Research Institute for Inner Asian Studies (SRIFIAS) Center for Languages of the Central Asian Region (CeLCAR) Summer Language Workshop (SWSEEL)
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Introduction to Mongolia and the Mongols
CEUS-R 369
Tserenchunt Legden

Course objectives

This course will introduce Mongolia and Mongolic people (including Inner Mongolia and Buriat and other Mongolic people) to undergraduate students.  Mongolia is a vast land of wild nature, hospitable nomads, and unique culture located in the heart of Asia. Bordering on Russia in the north and China in the south, Mongolia is the homeland of the legendary Genghis Khan (Chinggis Khan in Mongolian) who established the biggest land empire in human history. it is one of the last countries of nomads on earth. This course is a gateway for discovering this mystifying land, its people, its unique nomadic culture and the unparalleled history of Genghis Khan and his descendents.

Through readings, meetings with scholars of Mongolian studies and representatives from Mongolia, along with visual materials, artifacts, and artistic pieces, students will find answers to the following questions: Who was Genghis Khan and how do modern Mongols perceive him, who are the Mongols and where do they live, who are Mongolian nomads, how do  they live, and what traditions and customs do they have, why has Mongolia become a fascinating destination for tourists and a competitive location for world mining industries.  During this course students will watch several selected excerpts from Mongolian films and other media sources and will be exposed to the genuine culture and traditions of Mongolia and Mongolic people.