During the early modern period, missionaries came into contact with people from many parts of the world. Their business was far more than just religious conversion: They doubled as scholars, teachers, doctors, farmers, tradespeople, diplomats, and spies. Missions also had political implications and – over time – became associated with colonization. Missionaries produced a wealth of historical sources, such as mission reports, travel accounts, and correspondences. In this class, we will discuss their motivations and experiences as well as the diverse interactions with those they encountered.