An associate professor will present his sabbatical in China to students in hopes of stirring interest of the Ming Dynasty.
This afternoon, students will have the opportunity to learn about the fall of an ancient Asian culture.
Today, Kenneth Swope, associate professor of history, presents his research findings from his sabbatical in China at 3:30 p.m. in Burkhardt Building Room 101.
Swope's presentation, entitled "Emperors, Eunuchs, & Disgruntled Postal Workers," will discuss a range of topics including the military collapse of the Ming Dynasty, as well as problems facing the government and society between the 1620s and 1640s.
"The title was designed to attract attention," Swope said. "I will actually be talking about all of those things in the discussion."
Swope spent the Summer and Fall Semester of 2010 in China to research the fall of the Ming Dynasty.
The Ming Dynasty was in existence for 276 years, from 1368 to 1644. During this time, important events in Chinese society occurred, including further development and strengthening of the Great Wall as well as several developments in Chinese culture.
"If nothing else, I hope it gets [students] interested in topics in history and Chinese history," Swope said.
The research that Swope is presenting will also be included in the book that he is finishing up. The book will contain the culmination of at least three other published articles of his.
Swope will also address the topic of the relationship that exists between government decisions and the lives of ordinary people.
He said in the case that he discusses, the government made poor decisions to save money and cut corners, and eventually suffered unforeseen consequences.
Political bickering and poor policy choices were also cited by Swope as key aspects of the fall of the Ming Dynasty.
"They engaged in so much infighting that in the end, the entire thing just came down around them," Swope said.
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