The region comprising present day Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Pakistan and India has a rich and complex history. Home to Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, Akbar the Great and Shah Jahan, it has generated some of the most spectacular monuments (e.g. the Taj Mahal and the blue tiled mosques of Isfahan) and refined manuscript painting ever known. We will look at these art forms from the tenth to the twentieth centuries, highlighting the patronage of key dynasties, including the Timurids of Samarqand and the Mughals of India. An important issue throughout the course will be the impact that Islam has had on the artistic traditions of this region. Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation, a short paper, a midterm and a final. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 20. Satisfies the non-Western requirement.