This course is designed to provide an overview of about 2000 years of world history. Rather than trying to cover as many regions and periods as possible, it will adopt a theme-oriented approach and focus on seven core issues of political, social, cultural, economic, and environmental history. Topics to be addressed include modes of subsistence, the organization of societies, different religions, colonialism and imperialism, as well as changing communication technologies, etc. Modernization and globalization, above all, will be critically addressed as two major trends in world history. It is hoped that the comparative perspectives, which this course employs, will increase students' awareness of cultural diversity and help them understand global historical developments.