This paper introduces students to the various structural transitions ‘society’ passed through from the dawn of history. Starting from the evolution of humans, ‘Social Formations’ traces the history of early humanoids to the present ‘homo sapien sapiens’. It explores the beginnings of cultural organizations and patterns of social interactions focusing on the importance of tool-making, the beginning of language and art (cave/rock art), the technique of working with metals such as copper, bronze and iron. Students delve deeper into how these rudimentary practices, later evolved into some of the world’s earliest civilizations, for example, the Mesopotamian civilization, the Egyptian civilization and the Greek and Roman civilizations. 

The first part deals with both the biological/scientific and cultural evolution of the Homo sapien sapiens from the Primates. The three Stone ages and significant transformations during this period, such as the emergence of agriculture and animal husbandry and generation of surplus during the Neolithic period; making way for the emergence of the Old World Civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and China are explained. Lastly, the advent of iron, its discovery and various debates and theories regarding its origin are discussed. 

The second part of the course explains Greek democracy and the Roman republic.  It recounts the birth of Christianity and the eventual rise of Islam in 632 AD leading to the creation of Caliphates in the middle-east. Tribal invasions in Europe by the Huns, Visigoths and various Germanic tribes and the Crusades (Holy Wars) can be understood through this course. Students are introduced to the creation of a feudal society in Europe. Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient and Medieval World acts as a stepping stone to understand the tense settings of Medieval Europe.

An attempt is made here that the students shall get most of the readings at one place. However, it is important to highlight that even though an attempt has been made to provide topic-specific articles, these may be relevant for more than one topic. It is advisable to go through as many readings as possible; rest is the reader’s discretion.

Part-I: Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient World 

I. Evolution of humankind and Paleolithic cultures

[a] Comprehending prehistory and history: issues and interpretative frameworks

References:

1. V. Gordon Child, Archaeology and History, in V.G.Childe, What Happened in History?

[b]Environmental context of human evolution 

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan_In The Beginning_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

2. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Introducing World Prehistory_People of the Earth

3. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_The Origins of Culture_Patterns in Prehistory:Humankind's First Three Million Years

4. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_The Origins of Homo Sapiens Sapiens_Patterns in Prehistory:Humankind's First Three Million Years

5. V. Gordon Childe_Organic Evolution and Cultural Progress_Man Makes Himself

[c] Biological evolution of hominins

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan_ Our Earliest Ancestors_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

2. Brian M. Fagan_ The Origins of Homo Sapiens Sapiens_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

3. Brian M. Fagan_ The Neanderthals_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

4. Brian M. Fagan_ The First Human Diaspora_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

5. Brian M. Fagan_ The First Europeans_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

6. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Human Origins_People of the Earth

7. Robert F. Wenke and Deborah J. Olszewski_ The Origins of Homo Sapiens Sapiens_Patterns in Prehistory:Humankind's First Three Million Years

8. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_The Origins of Culture_Patterns in Prehistory:Humankind's First Three Million Years

9. D. K. Bhattacharya_ Emergency of Man as a Dominant Species_Ecology and Social Formation in Ancient History

[d] Social and cultural adaptations: mobility and migration; development of lithic and other technologies; changes in the hunting gathering economy; social organization; art and graves

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan_ The Neanderthals_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

2. Brian M. Fagan_ The First Human Diaspora_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

3. Brian M. Fagan_ Our Earliest Ancestors_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

4. Brian M. Fagan_ The First Europeans_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

5. Brian M. Fagan_ The Origins of Homo Sapiens Sapiens_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

6. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Archaic Humans: Homo Ergaster, Homo Erectus, and Homo Heidelbergensis_People of the Earth

7. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Origins and the Diaspora Begins_People of the Earth

8. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_The Origins of Culture_Patterns in Prehistory:Humankind's First Three Million Years

9. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_The Origins of Homo Sapiens Sapiens_Patterns in Prehistory:Humankind's First Three Million Years

10. Robert F. Wenke and Deborah J. Olszewski_ The Origins of Agriculture_Patterns in Prehistory:Humankind's First Three Million Years

11. V. Gordon Childe_ Food Gatherers_Man Makes Himself

12. V. Gordon Childe_ Paleolithic Savagery_What Happened in History

13.  Sigfried J. de Laet_From Prehistory to History_*

II. Understanding the Mesolithic

[a]Mesolithic as a stage in prehistory

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ After the Ice_People of the Earth: An Introduction to World Prehistory

2. Brian M. Fagan_ After the Ice Age_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

[b] Environmental change and changes in subsistence strategies based on case studies from West Asia, Europe and Meso-America: seasonal and broad-spectrum exploitation of resources, food storage, tools, semi-sedentism and features of social complexity

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan_ After the Ice Age_Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations

2. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ The First Americans_People of the Earth: An Introduction to World Prehistory

3. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Europe and Eurasia_People of the Earth: An Introduction to World Prehistory

4. V. Gordon Childe_Story of Tools_The Story of Tools 

5. V. Gordon Childe_ The Earliest Tools_The Story of Tools 

III. The Neolithic

REFERENCES:

1. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_ The Origins of Agriculture_ Patterns in Prehistory: Humankind’s First Three Million Years

2. V. Gordon Childe_ Neolithic Barbarism_ What Happened in History 

[a] Debating the origins of food production-- climate change; population pressure; ecological choices; cognitive re-orientations

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan_ Why Farming?_ Human Prehistory and the First Civilization

2. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Agriculture and Animal Domestication_ People of the Earth

3. D.K. Bhattacharya_ Ecology and Early Agriculture_ Ecology and Social Formation in Ancient History

4. Brian M. Fagan_ The First Farmers_ Human Prehistory and the First Civilization

[b] Features of the Neolithic based on sites from West Asia, Europe and East Asia: nature and size of settlements; tool-kits, artifacts and pottery; family and household

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ The First European Farmers_ People of the Earth

2. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ First Farmers in Egypt and Tropical Africa_ People of the Earth

3. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ The Origins of Food Production in Southwest Asia_ People of the Earth

4. V. Gordon Childe_ The Neolithic Revolution_ What Happened History

[c] Features of social complexity in late Neolithic communities; ceremonial sites and structures

REFERENCES:

1. V. Gordon Childe_ The Higher Barbarism of the Copper Age_ What Happened History

IV. The Bronze Age

[a] Concepts: 'Bronze Age', 'Urban Revolution', 'Civilization' and ‘State’ 

REFERENCES:

1. Ahmad Hassan Dani and Jean-Pierre Mohen _ Main Trends of the New Period

2. An Zhimin_ China (3000-1600 BC)

3. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ The Development of Civilization

4. Brian M. Fagan_ The Origins of States and Civilization

5. C. C. Lamberg Karlovsky and R. Wright_ The Tigris and Euphrates Valley (3000 - 1500 BC)

6. Muhammad A. Dandamaev_The Formation of Territorial States

7. Rosalie David_Historical Background_ Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt

8. Robert F. Wenke and Deborah J. Olszewski_ The Evolution of Complex Societies_ in_ Patterns in Prehistory

9. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_The Evolution of Complex Societies_ in_ Patterns in Prehistory

10. V. Gordon Childe_ The Urban Revolution_ The Bronze Age

11. V. Gordon Childe_ Early Bronze Age Civilization in Egypt and India_ The Bronze Age

12. V. Gordon Childe_ The Urban Revolution in Mesopotamia_ The Bronze Age

13. V. Gordon Childe_ Prelude to the Second Revolution_ The Bronze Age

14. V. Gordon Childe_ The Revolution in Human Knowledge_ The Bronze Age

15. Zhang Changshou_ China (1600-700 BC)

[b] Ecological context of early civilizations

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Early Chinese Civilization

2. Brian M. Fagan_ Ancient Egyptian Civilization to the Old Kingdom

3. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Egypt, Nubia and Tropical Africa

4. Brian M. Fagan_ Sumerian Civilization

5. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Early Civilizations in Southwest Asia

6. D. K. Bhattacharya_ Ecology and Fall in Civilizations_ Ecology and Social Formations

7. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_Origins of Complex Societies in Southwest Asia_ Patterns in Prehistory

8. Robert F. Wenke and Deborah J. Olszewski_The Origins of Complex Societies in Egypt_ Patterns in Prehistory

9. Robert F. Wenke and Deborah J. Olszewski_ The Evolution of Complex Societies in China_ Patterns in Prehistory

10. Rosalie David_Geography Of Ancient Egypt_ Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt

11. Robert F. Wenke and Deborah J. Olszewski_ Origins of Complex Societies in Southwest Asia_ Patterns in Prehistory

12. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_ The Evolution of Complex Societies in China_ Patterns in Prehistory

13. V. Gordon Childe_ The Expansion of Civilization_ The Bronze Age

[c]Aspects of social complexity:class, gender and economic specialization

REFERENCES:

1. D. K. Bhattacharya_ Ecology and Social Formation_ Ecology and Social Formation in Ancient History

2. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_The Origins of Complex Societies in Egypt_ Patterns in Prehistory

3. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_Origins of Complex Societies in Southwest Asia_ Patterns in Prehistory

4. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_ The Evolution of Complex Societies in China_ Patterns in Prehistory

5. Rosalie David_Society and Government_ Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt

6. Rosalie David_Foreign Trade and Transport_ Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt

7. Rosalie David_Economy and Industry_ Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt

8. Rosalie David_Everyday Life_ Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt

[d] Forms of kingship, religion and state

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan_ Ancient Egyptian Civilization to the Old Kingdom

2. Brian M. Fagan_ Ancient Egypt: Middle and New Kingdoms

3. Brian M. Fagan_ Sumerian Civilization

4. Georges Roux_The Post Kassite Period

5. Georges Roux_The Kassite Period (1500 - 700 BC)

6. Muhammad A. Dandamaev_ Fundamental Stages in the Development of the State in Mesopotamia

7. Muhammad A. Dandamaev_ The Early Dynastic Period in Mesopotamia

8. V. Gordon Childe_ The Culmination of Bronze Age Civilization_ What happened in History

9. Rosalie David_Religion of the Living_ Handbook to Life in Ancient History

10. Rosalie David_Funerary Beliefs and Customs_ Handbook to Life in Ancient History

11. Rosalie David_The Army and Navy_ Handbook to Life in Ancient History

12. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_Origins of Complex Societies in Southwest Asia_ Patterns in Prehistory

13. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_The Origins of Complex Societies in Egypt_ Patterns in Prehistory

14. Robert J. Wenke and Deborah I. Olszewski_ The Evolution of Complex Societies in China_ Patterns in Prehistory

{b, c and d are to be based on any one case study: ancient Mesopotamia (Sumerian and Akkadian period)/Egypt (Old Kingdom)/China (Shang dynasty)}

V. Nomadic pastoralism 

[a] Conceptualizing nomadic pastoralism 

[b] The emergence of specialised pastoral economy in West Asia and its relationship to sedentary farming, third and second millennium BCE

[c] Socio-political interactions between nomadic pastoralists and urban-state societies in West Asia, third and second millennium BCE

REFERENCES:

1. Andrew Sherratt_ Sedentary Agricultural and Nomadic Pastoral Populations (3000 - 700 BC)_in_ A. H. Dani and J. P. Mohen_ History of Humanity: From the Third Millennium to the Seventh Century B. C., Volume II 

VI. The advent of iron -- its origins and implications

REFERENCES:

1. Mario Liverani_The Early Iron Age: Crisis and New Structures_in_History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C._ Siegfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani (Eds.)

2. Jean-Pierre Mohen_ Copper and Bronze Metallurgy_in_History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C._ Siegfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani (Eds.)

3. Jean-Pierre Mohen_ Iron Workingin_in_History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C._ Siegfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani (Eds.)

4. Pierre Villard_ The Beginning of the Iron Age: Invention of Ironwork and its Consequences_in_History of Humanity: From the third millennium to the seventh century B.C._ Siegfried J. de Laet, Ahmad Hasan Dani (Eds.)

5. V. Gordon Childe_The Early Iron Age_What Happened in History 

6. V. Gordon Childe_ Government, Religion and Science in the Iron Age_What Happened in History 

7. V. Gordon Childe_ The Decline and Fall of the Ancient World_What Happened in History 

Part-II: Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient and Medieval World

I. Classical Greece and Rome

REFERENCES:

1. Brian M. Fagan and Nadia Durrani_ Hittites, Minoans, and Mycenaeans_People of the Earth

2. Henri Pirenne_ The Mediterranean_Medieval Cities: Their Origins and the Revival of Trade

[a] Emergence of the polis and changing political formations in ancient Greece: Athens and Sparta.

REFERENCES:

1. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ Cleisthenes I: The Constitution_Athenian Democratic Origins

2. Johann P. Arnason_ Exploring the Greek Needle’s Eye: Civilizational and Political Transformations_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

3. Paul Woodruff_ Education (Paideia)_First Democracy

4. Paul Woodruff_ Freedom from Tyranny (And from Being a Tyrant)_First Democracy

5. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ The Athenaion Politeia and Early Athenian History_Athenian Democratic Origins

6. Lawrence A. Tritle_ Democracy and War_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

7. Michel Sakellariou_The Greek Mainland*

8. Kurt A. Raaflaub_ Perfecting the “Political Creature”: Equality and “the Political” in the Evolution of Greek Democracy_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

9. Paul Woodruff_ Citizen Wisdom_First Democracy

10. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ Five Notes on Solon’s Constitution_Athenian Democratic Origins

11. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ The Athenian Citizenship Laws_Athenian Democratic Origins

12. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ The Solonian Census Classes and the Qualifications for Cavalry and Hoplite Service_Athenian Democratic Origins

13. Harvey Yunis_ Political Uses of Rhetoric in Democratic Athens_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

14. Paul Cartledge_Historiography and Ancient Greek Self-Definition_in_Michael Bentley_Companion to Historiography

15. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ Cleisthenes II: Ostracism, Archons and Strategoi_Athenian Democratic Origins

16. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ Solon, the Horoi and the Hektemoroi_Athenian Democratic Origins

17. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ How Far was Trade a Cause of Early Greek Colonisation?_Athenian Democratic Origins

18. G. E. M. de Ste. Croix_ Herodotus and King Cleomenes I of Sparta_Athenian Democratic Origins

19. Adriaan Lanni_ Law and Democracy in Classical Athens_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

20. Egon Flaig_ To Act with Good Advice: Greek Tragedy and the Democratic Political Sphere_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

21. Peter Wagner_ Transformations of Democracy: Towards a History of Political Thought and Practice in Long-term Perspective_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

22. Paul Woodruff_ Reasoning Without Knowledge_First Democracy

23. Paul Woodruff_ Natural Equality_First Democracy

24. Paul Woodruff_ Introduction Democracy and Its Doubles_First Democracy

25. Paul Woodruff_ The Life and Death of Democracy_First Democracy

26. R. K. Sinclair_ The Critics of Athenian Democracy_Democracy and Participation in Athens

27. R. K. Sinclair_ The Athenian Polis and the Evolution of Democracy_Democracy and Participation in Athens

28. R. K. Sinclair_ Citizens and Participation_Democracy and Participation in Athens

29. Paul Woodruff_ Harmony_First Democracy

30. R. K. Sinclair_ The Sovereignty of the Demos, Officials and the Council_Democracy and Participation in Athens

31. R. K. Sinclair_ The Privileges and Opportunities of the Citizen_Democracy and Participation in Athens

32. R. K. Sinclair_ The Responsibilities of the Citizen_Democracy and Participation in Athens

33. Ryan K. Balot_ Democracy and Political Philosophy: Influences, Tensions, Rapprochement_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

34. Tracy B. Strong_ Tyranny and Tragedy in Nietzsche’s Understanding of the Greek Polis_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy

35. Paul Woodruff_ The Rule of Law (Nomos)_First Democracy

[b] Rome from Republic to Empire: 

REFERENCES:

1. Michael Comber_Re-Reading the Roman Historians_in_Michael Bentley_Companion to Historiography

i) Conflict of the Orders; Imperial expansion and social tensions. 

ii) The Augustan experiment. 

iii) Crisis of the Roman empire.

REFERENCES:

1. Henri Pirenne_ The Economic and Social Situation after the Invasions and the Mediterranean Navigation_Mohammad and Charlemagne

2. Henri Pirenne_ The Continuation of the Mediterranean Civilization in the West after the Germanic Invasions_Mohammad and Charlemagne 

[c] Slavery in ancient Greek and Roman economy and society 

REFERENCES:

1. M. I. Finley_ The Servile Statuses of Ancient Greece_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

2. M. I. Finley_ The Freedom of the Citizen in the Greek World_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

3. M. I. Finley_ Was Greek Civilisation Based on Slave Labour?_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

4. Peter Heather_Late Antiquity & Early Medieval West_

5. M. I. Finley_ The Slave Trade in Antiquity: The Black Sea and Danubian Regions_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

6. M. I. Finley_ The Athenian Empire: A Balance Sheet_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

7. M. I. Finley_ Technical Innovation and Economic Progress in the Ancient World_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

8. M. I. Finley_ Between Slavery and Freedom_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

9. M. I. Finley_ Debt-Bondage and the Problem of Slavery_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

10. M. I. Finley_ The Ancient City: From Fustel de Coulanges to Max Weber and Beyond_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

11. M. I. Finley_ Marriage, Sale and Gift in the Homeric World_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

12. M. I. Finley_ Land, Debt and the Man of Property in Classical Athens_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece

13. M. I. Finley_ Sparta and Spartan Society_in_M. I. Finley, Brent D. Shaw, Richard P. Saller_Economy and Society in Ancient Greece 

[d] Culture and religion in ancient Greece and Rome

REFERENCES:

1. J.A.North_The Religion of Rome from Monarchy to Principate_in_Michael Bentley_Companion to Historiography

2. Robin Osborne_ Democracy and Religion in Classical Greece_in_Jóhann Páll Árnason, Kurt A Raaflaub, Peter Wagner_The Greek polis and the invention of democracy 

II. Feudal societies in medieval Europe (8th – 14 century)

REFERENCES:

1. John Merriman_ Medieval Legacies and Transforming Discoveries_A History of Modern Europe

[a] The emergence of states: medieval monarchies, aristocracies, nobility and the culture of chivalry; church and state.

REFERENCES:

1. Perry Anderson_The Feudal Mode of Production_Passages from Antiquity to Feudalism

2. Henri Pirenne_ The Ninth Century_in_Henri Pirenne and Jean Henri Otto Lucien Marie Pirenne_Medieval Cities: Their Origins and the Revival of Trade

3. Henri Pirenne_ The Beginnings of the Middle Ages_Mohammed and Charlemagne

4. Marc Bloch_ Class Distinctions within the Nobility_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation 

5. Marc Bloch_ Feudalism as a Type of Society_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

6. Henri Pirenne_ City Origins_in_Henri Pirenne and Jean Henri Otto Lucien Marie Pirenne_Medieval Cities: Their Origins and the Revival of Trade

7. Marc Bloch_ The Life of the Nobility_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

8. Marc Bloch_ Clergy and Burgesses_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

9. Marc Bloch_ Chivalry_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

10. Marc Bloch_ The Nobles as a 'De Facto' Class_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

11. Marc Bloch_ Transformation of the Nobility into a Legal Class_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

[b] The growth of seignorial authority: 

REFERENCES:

1. Henri Pirenne_The Middle Class_in_Henri Pirenne and Jean Henri Otto Lucien Marie Pirenne_Medieval Cities: Their Origins and the Revival of Trade

2. Henri Pirenne_Municipal Institutions_in_Henri Pirenne and Jean Henri Otto Lucien Marie Pirenne_Medieval Cities: Their Origins and the Revival of Trade

3. Henri Pirenne_The Merchant Class_in_Henri Pirenne and Jean Henri Otto Lucien Marie Pirenne_Medieval Cities: Their Origins and the Revival of Trade

i) parcellization of sovereignty and militarization 

ii) the creation of a dependent peasantry: from colonate to serfdom. 

REFERENCES:

1. Perry Anderson_Typology Of Social Formations_Passages from Antiquity to Feudalism 

[c]The growth of the medieval economy from 11th -14th centuries: agriculture, towns, trade and its impact on feudal relations. 

REFERENCES:

1. Henri Pirenne_ International Trade to the End of the Thirteenth Century_Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe

2. Henri Pirenne_ Introduction_Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe

3. Henri Pirenne_ Urban Economy and the Regulation of Industry_Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe

4. Perry Anderson_The Feudal Dyanmic_Passages from Antiquity to Feudalism

5. Henri Pirenne_ Commerce to the End of the Thirteenth Century_Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe

6. Henri Pirenne_ The Land and the Rural Classes_Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe

7. Henri Pirenne_ The Revival of Commerce_Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe

8. Henri Pirenne_ The Revival of Commerce_in_Henri Pirenne and Jean Henri Otto Lucien Marie Pirenne_Medieval Cities: Their Origins and the Revival of Trade

9. Henri Pirenne_ The Towns_Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe

10. Henri Pirenne_ The Economic Changes of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries_Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe

[d] Religion and culture in medieval Europe

[e] The crisis of feudalism

REFERENCES:

1. Perry Anderson_ The General Crisis_Passages from Antiquity to Feudalism

2. Perry Anderson_The Crisis in the East_Passages from Antiquity to Feudalism

3. Marc Bloch_ Disorder and the Efforts to Combat It_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

4. Marc Bloch_ Towards the Reconstruction of States: National Developments_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

5. Henri Pirenne_ Cities and European Civilization_in_Henri Pirenne and Jean Henri Otto Lucien Marie Pirenne_Medieval Cities: Their Origins and the Revival of Trade

6. Marc Bloch_ From Territorial Principalities to Castellanies_Feudal Society: Vol 2: Social Classes and Political Organisation

III. Islamic Societies in West Asia

[a] Rise of Islam and the making of political authority: from tribe to state. 

REFERENCES:

1. Marshall G. S. Hodgson _The Early Muslim State, 625-692_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1

2. Marshall G. S. Hodgson _ Muhammad's Challenge, 570-624_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1

3. Fred M. Donner_Modern approaches to early Islamic history_Chase F. Robinson_ The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

4. Marshall G. S. Hodgson _ The Absolutism In Flower, 750-813_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1

5. Hugh Kennedy_The Late Abbasid Pattern, 945-1050_Chase F. Robinson_ The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

6. Michael Bonner_The Waning of Empire, 861-945_Chase F. Robinson_ The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

7. Henri Pirenne_ The Expansion of Islam in the Mediterranean Basin_Mohammad and Charlemagne

8. Ella Landau-Tasseron_Arabia_Chase F. Robinson_ The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

9. Stefan Heidemann_Numismatics_Chase F. Robinson_ The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

10. Marshall G. S. Hodgson _ The Dissipation of the Absolutist Tradition, 813-945_Chase F. Robinson_ The Venture of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

11. Marcus Milwright_Archaeology and material culture_ Chase F. Robinson_ The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

12. Marshall G. S. Hodgson_The Islamic Opposition, 692-750_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1

13. Chase F. Robinson_Conclusion: From Formative Islam to Classical Islam_The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

14. Marshall G. S. Hodgson _ The World Before Islam_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1

15. Elton L. Daniel_The Islamic East_ _ Chase F. Robinson_ The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume 1: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries

16. Fred M. Donner_The Near East on the Eve of Islam_Muhammad and the Believers at the Origin of Islam 

i) Prophet and Ummah

REFERENCES:

1. W. Montgomery Watt_ Muhammad_ P. M. Holt_ The Cambridge History of Islam: Volume 1 A, The Central Islamic Lands From Pre-Islamic Times to the First World War

2. Irfan Shahîd_ Pre Islamic Arabia_ P. M. Holt_The Cambridge History of Islam: Volume 1 A, The Central Islamic Lands From Pre-Islamic Times to the First World War

3. Fred M. Donner_Muhammad and the Believers' Movement_Muhammad and the Believers at the Origin of Islam 

ii) Caliphate and sultanate: Ummayads and Abbasids

REFERENCES:

1. Patricia Crone_What did the Meccans Exported?_Meccan Trade And The Rise Of Islam

2. Patricia Crone_ Introduction_Meccan Trade And The Rise Of Islam

3. Patricia Crone_ Where were the Meccans Active?_Meccan Trade And The Rise Of Islam

4. Patricia Crone_ What Meccan Trade May Have Been_Meccan Trade And The Rise Of Islam

5. Patricia Crone_ The Rise of Islam_Meccan Trade And The Rise Of Islam

6. Laura Veccia Vaglieri_ The Patriarchal and Umayyad Caliphates_ P. M. Holt_The Cambridge History of Islam: Volume 1 A, The Central Islamic Lands From Pre-Islamic Times to the First World War

7. D. Sourdel_ The Abbasid Caliphate_ P. M. Holt_The Cambridge History of Islam: Volume 1 A, The Central Islamic Lands From Pre-Islamic Times to the First World War

8. Bernard Lewis_ Egypt and Syria_ P. M. Holt_The Cambridge History of Islam: Volume 1 A, The Central Islamic Lands From Pre-Islamic Times to the First World War

9. B. Spuler_ The Disintegration of the Caliphate in the East_ P. M. Holt_The Cambridge History of Islam: Volume 1 A, The Central Islamic Lands From Pre-Islamic Times to the First World War

10. Fred M. Donner_The Emergence of Islam_ Muhammad and the Believers at the Origin of Islam

11. Fred M. Donner_The Struggle for the Leadership of the Community 655-692_ Muhammad and the Believers at the Origin of Islam 

[b] The Sunna, the Shia and the Sufi traditions 

REFERENCES:

1. Marshall G. S. Hodgson _ Muslim Personal Piety: Confrontations with History and with Selfhood, c. 750-945_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1

2. Marshall G. S. Hodgson _ The Shar'i Islamic Vision, c. 750-945_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1 

[c] Adab, literature, and the urban tradition

REFERENCES:

1. Marshall G S Hodgson _Speculation: Falsafah and Kalam, c. 750-945_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1

2. Marshall G S Hodgson _ Adab: The Bloom of Arabic Literary Culture, c. 813-945_The Venture of Islam, Volume 1