About the Course
| Course number | HIST 05.03 / ASCL 64.08 TBD |
| Distributives | INT + SOC + NW |
| Time | MWF 11:30-12:35, Tu 12:15-1:05 |
| Classroom | Reed Hall 107 |
| Instructor | Yi Lu |
| Office | Carson 205 |
| Office Hour | Monday 14:00-16:00 |
| Phone | 603-646-0156 |
Course Description
China today is a new country built on the bedrock of an ancient civilization. Home to the world’s largest economy and population, its rise on the world stage is the most important historical event of the century. What are the historical roots of modern China? What implications does China’s increasing global power have for the rest of the world?
This course charts the history of modern China from the height of Qing Dynasty, a Eurasian Empire, from mid-18th century to the People’s Republic of China today. Through two centuries of wars, reforms and revolutions, we will examine the country’s transformations from monarchy to republic, from imperial subject to socialist new man, from planned to market economy. It was a history of spectacular conflicts and disasters, but also one of enduring dynamism and accomplishments. We will pay particular attention to questions about gender, borderlands, the environment, and China’s global entanglements.
This course will give you foundational knowledge of Chinese history and politics, but an equally important goal is to interrogate how we know what we know about China. To help you develop skills in historical analysis and argumentation, classroom lectures and discussions will be enriched by movie screenings, museum field trips, and digital activities. You will have the opportunity to contribute to our readings and conduct your own research, too.
This course is open to all students and assumes no prior knowledge of Chinese culture, history, or language; it is essential for anyone interested in this increasingly powerful and globally influential country.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the class, you will be able to:
- discuss key issues and broad trends shaping Chinese history since 1800 and their present-day relevance;
- evaluate scholarly arguments, policy decisions, and public debates concerning China and its relations with the world;
- analyze a diverse set of primary sources – texts, images, material objects, films, etc. – and explain how we know what we know about China;
- communicate your arguments in a variety of media and formats, ranging from critical essay to op-ed to oral presentation.