The lessons in "The Middle Ages—China" are rich and complex, but so enthralling that students can't help but be engaged. The topics covered are:

TANG dynasty—Reunification of China. Chinese Empire reached its greatest size: From the Pacific to Persia, including Korea and Central Asia. Buddhism spread to China along the Silk Road. It then spread to Korea and Japan. Zen Buddhism, a distinctly Chinese religion. Korea and Japan adopted many aspects of traditional Chinese culture.

SUNG dynasty - Neo-Confucianism became the official government philosophy. It was a blend of Confucius' moral standards and the religion of Buddhism. Neo-Confucianism was a set of rigid rules. Foot-binding.

INVENTIONS & INNOVATIONS: Tea, the manufacture of paper, woodblock printing, the magnetic compass, gunpowder, and new farming techniques. The impact of each on world history.

THE IMPERIAL STATE: Revival of Confucianism: Respect for authority and tradition. China's vast empire required able, efficient government. The Merit System: Government officials were chosen by ability, not birth. The Civil Service Exam: To become a government official, you had to study Confucianism and score high on the exam. Any man, rich or poor, could take the exam. Education became all-important. A Major Social Shift: The Scholar-Official Class became the ruling class.

MONGOL rule —Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan. Foreigners occupy China for 89 years. The Mongol Empire stretched from China to Russia. Kublai Khan established the Yuan dynasty and adopted Chinese culture. His biggest problem: How to rule China. Marco Polo introduced Europe to the wonders of China. Continued sea trade with Southeast Asia. Kublai Khan lost face when he failed to conquer Japan. Kamikaze winds. Mongols were regarded as foreigners and were eventually overthrown by rebellions.

MING Dynasty—Spanned the same time as the Renaissance in Europe. The Ming sponsored overseas maritime expeditions, from 1405 to 1433. China was the world's No. 1 sea power. Admiral Zheng and the Imperial Fleet sailed to Southeast Asia, India, Persia, Arabia, and East Africa. Why was The Forbidden City forbidden?