Primer for Teaching Indian Ocean World History

Edward A. Alpers is Emeritus Research Professor of History at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the author of The Indian Ocean in World History.Thomas F. McDow is Associate Professor of History at Ohio State University and author of Buying Time: Debt and Mobility in the Western Indian Ocean.

“Edward A. Alpers and Thomas F. McDow provide a multidimensional map to guide educators in their Indian Ocean World history teaching journey. Thematically organized and pedagogically innovative, the student-centered digital technology assignment ideas are designed to bring the Indian Ocean World to life. These design principles will make Indian Ocean history accessible for educators seeking to go boldly beyond conventional world history or area studies by incorporating or recentering their teaching on this fascinating and cosmopolitan region.” - Kerry Ward, Associate Professor of History, Rice University “The importance and prominence of the Indian Ocean World for research and teaching is growing exponentially. The region offers countless opportunities to enhance and challenge students’ normative understanding of subjects such as slavery, empire, and the social and physical geographies of space. With this in mind, Edward A. Alpers and Thomas F. McDow have produced a vital guide that offers innovative teaching strategies with which to engage students.” - Pedro Machado, author of (Ocean of Trade: South Asian Merchants, Africa, and the Indian Ocean, c.1750–1850) "This is an accessible and very well-thought-out book. . . . Educators in North America will find that A Primer for Teaching Indian Ocean World History is a valuable resource for developing innovative syllabi in Indian Ocean World history moving forwards." - Philip Gooding (Journal of Indian Ocean World Studies) "Alpers and McDow are to be congratulated on providing a well-developed primer that is a reference work in its own right, particularly for the eastern and northern shores of the Indian Ocean." - Peter Ridgway (The Great Circle: Journal of the Australian Association of Maritime History) "A thoughtful and practical guide for educators looking to enhance their teaching of this complex and fascinating region and for students who wish take up this region as their study or research subject. Alpers and McDow provide a valuable framework that can help educators in North America create engaging and informative curricula/lessons and teaching techniques while fostering a deeper understanding of the Indian Ocean World’s historical significance." - Pravin Kumar Jha (Africa Review)

• Acknowledgments  viiIntroduction. Initial Thoughts  1Part I. Foundations and Sources  71. Mapping the Indian Ocean  92. Beyond Eurocentrism  213. Beyond the Text  33Part II. Global Themes  454. Indian Ocean Commodities: The Life of Spice  475. People on the Move  596. Rethinking Slavery  737. Empire and Its Aftermath  878. Disease and Environment  101Part III. Teaching Strategies  1179. Teaching Technologies: Some Classroom Strategies  11910. Teaching Technologies: Research Projects for Student Engagement  131Conclusion. Final Thoughts  147Notes  149Selected Bibliography  185Index