[PLEASE NOTE: The content found in the print out may significantly change during the course of the semester.  Please check the web site version for more up-to-date information. The full print out runs to SEVEN pages and includes the SYLLABUS, EVALUATION CRITERIA and COURSE SCHEDULE.]
 
HIS 374 / 574, REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS IN MODERN CHINA
SPRING SEMESTER 2007
 
DR. LEE A. MAKELA
OFFICE: RT 1642 (216.875.9684)
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM AND BY APPOINTMENT
email: l.makela@csuohio.edu
 
SYLLABUS

INTRODUCTION: HIS 374 / 574, REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS IN MODERN CHINA, consists of a thematically-organized consideration of the character of traditional Chinese culture and civilization followed by a chronologically-arranged presentation of topics in the political, social, cultural and intellectual history of China since 1800. The course has been designed to provide a background against which contemporary China may be better understood and appreciated.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The following represents the major course objectives to be accomplished by the end of the semester: following fifteen weeks of instruction, students enrolled in HIS 374 / 574, REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS IN MODERN CHINA, should be able to --

  1. able to discuss with understanding and the use of supporting evidence the main features of social, political, economic, religious behavior associated with traditional Chinese culture and civilization and to identify and explain the historical significance of major figures, terms, events and institutions associated with the study of Chinese history since 1800;
  2. discuss with insight the impact of geography on the process of Chinese cultural development in historical perspective;
  3. outline and substantiate a wide range of reasons behind the collapse of Imperial China in 1911;
  4. outline and substantiate reasons for the failure of the Guomindang (Kuomintang) to create a viable Republic in China after 1911;
  5. explain reasons behind the triumph of Communism in China in 1949;
  6. discuss in detail the pattern of events in China since 1949 with insight and understanding;
  7. discuss in detail the role of foreign powers, particularly the United States, and Western cultural influences in China since 1800;
  8. discern both continuities and discontinuities which exist between the traditional past and China today; and
  9. discuss with insight the impact of modernization on Chinese life since 1800.
The class will meet three times per week for lecture and discussion following the list of topics included in the Class and Assignment Schedule. In addition to mandated attendance at these lecture / discussion sessions, all students will be required to complete a skills assessment project, a series of journal assignments, to prepare for and participate in a CHINALINE conference, to write an analytical essay based on a reading of Jung Chang's Wild Swans and to assemble a three-part extended essay examining an aspect of the modernization process at work in Chinese history since 1800. There will be no formal examinations in the course.

REQUIRED TEXTS: The required texts for this course, Richard J. Smith's China's Cultural Heritage, Jonathan Spence's The Search for Modern China and Jung Chang's Wild Swans, are available at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

FINAL GRADE DETERMINATION:

CHINALINE PARTICIPATION                  35%
WILD SWANS ESSAY                           20%
EXTENDED ESSAY (15% each part)       45%
                                                         100%

The grades earned on the above assignments will be multiplied by a percentage derived from the total number of points generated from the following table of possibilities [130 points available]:

Regular attendance at lectures (15 points with five points deducted for each absence);

Class participatation (20 points maximum: 1 - 10 points for overall involvement plus 1 point per posted contribution to online discussion forums);

Submission and acceptance of skills assessment project (15 points; failure to submit acceptable essay, however, can result in being dropped from the course at the instructor's discretion);

On-time submission of required assignments (2 points for each Journal Assignment [10 points total]; 5 points for each essay (or portion thereof in the case of the extended essay) [20 points total]);

Completion of the entire five part Journal Assignment series (1 - 5 points each part for a maximum available total of 25 points);

Email communication with the instructor within first week of course (2 points); submission of an acceptable working bibliography (in conjunction with your research essay and by the designated due date: 3 points); a full outline (2 points each [8 points total]) and an initial draft (3 points each [12 points total]) earning an evaluation of "check" or better for each assigned essay (or portion thereof) submitted at least two class sessions prior to the assignment due date;

Completion of an evaluative essay (see the assignment guidelines) earning an evaluation of "check" or better on a contemporary Chinese film chosen from the list of titles supplied for this project. (10 points).


CLASS AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE:

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE OF STUDY (TWO SESSIONS)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2007
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
 
A brief survey of course expectations, goals and assignments; an Attitude Survey assessment; and an explanation of the course web site.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2007 
MODERNIZATION AND WESTERNIZATION: DEFINING CONCEPTS

A consideration of the basic defining concepts around which the entire course of study has been constructed. 
 

IMPERIAL CHINA -- THE TRADITIONAL BASE (ELEVEN SESSIONS)

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2007
CHINA'S PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

A consideration of the geographical setting, both physical and politically defined, within which Chinese history transpires.

Reading Assignment: Richard J. Smith's China's Cultural Heritage: The Qing Dynasty, 1644 - 1912 (Hereafter Smith), pp. 1 - 40; begin reading Jonathan Spence, The Search for Modern China (hereafter, Spence), pp. 1 - 116 to be completed by Friday, September 24, 2007

ATTITUDE SURVEY DUE
COURSE ASSUMPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS EMAIL DUE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2007
CHINA'S HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY

An overview outline of the chronological development of traditional Chinese civilization and culture coupled with a brief examination of the ways in which the study of the Chinese past has been organized and codified by the Chinese themselves as well as by Western historians.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2007
THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF CHINA TO 1800:
THE ONION, THE HEXAGON AND THE PYRAMID I

Beginning a thematic exploration of the basic characteristics of traditional Chinese civilization and culture using a trio of visual metaphors: the onion, the hexagon and the pyramid. The onion helps us picture the traditional social world, its various divisions and interactions; the hexagon allows consideration of the traditional marketing system; and the pyramid illustrates how the various social, economic and political organizational patterns work together as a single cultural entity

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT ONE DUE

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2007
THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF CHINA TO 1800:
THE ONION, THE HEXAGON AND THE PYRAMID II

A continuation of our examination of the basic characteristics of traditional Chinese civilization and culture using a trio of visual metaphors: the onion, the hexagon and the pyramid.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2007
THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF CHINA TO 1800:
THE ONION, THE HEXAGON AND THE PYRAMID III

A continuation of our examination of the basic characteristics of traditional Chinese civilization and culture using a trio of visual metaphors: the onion, the hexagon and the pyramid.

WRITING SKILLS ASSESSMENT PROJECT DRAFTS ACCEPTED

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2007
QING POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS I

An exploration of the institutional and organizational forces serving to structure the traditional Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty (1644 - 1912) providing a practical application of the abstract principles and constructs discussed earlier in our consideration of the onion, hexagon and pyramid.

Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 41 -100 and 245 - 275

CHINALINE ROLE CHOICES DUE
WRITING SKILLS ASSESSMENT PROJECT DRAFTS ACCEPTED

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2007
QING POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS II

A continuation of our consideration of traditional institutions, life styles, and their contributions to the organization of Qing political, social and economic life.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2007
QING POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS III

More on traditional aspects of Qing political, social and economic life.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2007
LANGUAGE, THOUGHT, RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND HIGH CULTURE DURING THE QING

Examining the role of language, philosophy and religion in defining traditional Chinese civilization and culture.

Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 101 - 243

WRITING SKILLS ASSESSMENT PROJECT FINAL DEADLINE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007
CHINA ENCOUNTERS THE WEST I

An examination of the historical interaction between China and the outside world.

Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 277 - 298; Spence, pp. 117 - 136

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2007
CHINA ENCOUNTERS THE WEST II

Further consideration of the interaction between China and the West, focusing particularly on the traditional Chinese reaction to these encounters.

EXTENDED ESSAY TOPIC CHOICE and BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE

THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION (SIX SESSIONS)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2007
CHINA ENCOUNTERS THE WEST: THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION I

A chronological and thematic consideration of the challenges to the traditional Chinese world view emerging as a result of increasing encounters between China and the expanding imperialist powers of the West, including a look at the various Chinese responses to these challenges.

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT TWO DUE

Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 137 - 170

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2007
HOLIDAY - PRESIDENTS' DAYI

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007
CHINA ENCOUNTERS THE WEST: THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION II

An examination of the deepening crisis facing China as the Chinese state (and those opposed to it) continue to attempt to deal effectively with the imperialist nations of Europe and the United States,

Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 170 - 244

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2007
CHINA ENCOUNTERS THE WEST: THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION III

Continuing an exploration of the last days of the traditional Chinese imperial system as the Qing Dynasty faces collapse and the Chinese encounter the prospect of revolutionary change.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2007
CHINA ENCOUNTERS THE WEST: THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION IV

Concluding our examination of the final collapse of the traditional Chinese imperial system of governance and control.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007
 THE FALL OF IMPERIAL CHINA

An evaluation of the factors, historical and contemporary, foreign and domestic, contributing to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty and the end of Manchu rule.

Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 245 - 299

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2007

CHINALINE CONFERENCE:
THE FALL OF IMPERIAL CHINA

A discussion from the perspective of participants involved in the events themselves of factors and conditions contributing to the distruction of the Qing Dynasty and the end of Manchu rule.

THE ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A REPUBLIC (SEVEN SESSIONS)

MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2007
YUAN SHIH-KAI AND THE STILL BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC

A consideration of reasons behind the failed attempt to establish a republican form of government in China under Sun Yat-sen's leadership and the consequences of Yuan Shih-kai's assumption of political power.

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT THREE DUE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007
THE MAY FOURTH MOVEMENT: AN INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTION

Examining the need for the conscious rejection of Confucian thought as a prerequisite to enabling "modernization" to take place in post-Qing China.

Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 300 - 333

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2007

CHINALINE CONFERENCE:
THE MAY FOURTH MOVEMENT

Ways in which the activities and policies of the May Fourth Movement contributed to the emergence of revolutionary alternatives in China.

EXTENDED ESSAY ASSIGNMENT DUE: MODERNIZATION IN CHINESE HISTORY – PART ONE

MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2007
NO SCHEDULED CLASS - SPRING BREAK

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2007
NO SCHEDULED CLASS - SPRING BREAK

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2007
NO SCHEDULED CLASS - SPRING BREAK

MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2007
 THE NORTHERN EXPEDITION

Examining the military campaign seeking to wrest authority and power from local warlords in order to reestablish a centralized government under Chiang Kai-shek.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2007
THE EMERGING COMMUNIST ALTERNATIVE

The intellectual, political and military origins of the Chinese Communist Party during the 1920s and 1930s.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2007
THE GUOMINTANG (KUOMINTANG) IN POWER

A discussion of attempts by the Nationalists to rule China between 1926 and 1937 and the social, economic, political and cultural consequences of their governing policies.

Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 334 - 513

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2007
THE FAILURES OF REPUBLICANISM

A consideration of ways in which the activities and policies of the Guomindang (Kuomintang) since the conclusion of the Northern Expedition contributed to the malaise facing Chinag Kai-shek and China's Nationalist forces in the 1930s and 1940s.

THE RISE OF CHINESE COMMUNISM (FOUR SESSIONS)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2007
 THE COMMUNIST RISE TO POWER

A chronologically-arranged overview of the events leading to the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949.

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT FOUR DUE

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2007
THE THOUGHT OF MAO

An examination of the philosophical differences emerging in Mao's adaptation of Marxist theory to the situation in early twentieth century China.

EXTENDED ESSAY ASSIGNMENT DUE: MODERNIZATION IN CHINESE HISTORY – PART TWO

MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2007

CHINALINE CONFERENCE:
THE "FALL" OF CHINA

An investigation into the collapse of the Nationalist Guomindang (Kuomintang) government in 1949 and the rise of the Chinese Communist Party to power -- from the perspective of participants and observers on the scene and policy makers in the United States.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2007
THE "FALL" OF CHINA

Further consideration of reasons behind the collapse if the Republic of China in 1949 and the reaction in the United States to that "fall."


CHINA UNDER COMMUNISM (TEN SESSIONS)

FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2007
COMPLIANCE CYCLE THEORY

The introduction of a theoretical construct enabling a more insightful understanding of Chinese life since 1949, and a chronological overview of the PRC (the Peoples Republic of China) placing the actual events in Chinese history after 1949 into the theoretical Complaince Cycle Theory construct.

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007
CHINA SINCE 1949: AN OVERVIEW

A chronological overview of the PRC (the Peoples Republic of China) placing the actual events in Chinese history after 1949 into the theoretical Complaince Cycle Theory construct.

Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 514 - 652

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2007
PERSPECTIVES ON THE GREAT LEAP FORWARD

A close examination of one of the most seminal periods during Mao Zedong's (Mao Tse-tung's) years as Chariman of the Chinese Communist Party.

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2007
THE GREAT PROLETARIAN CULTURAL REVOLUTION

A detailed look at another of the most important periods during Mao Zedong's (Mao Tse-tung's) years as Chariman of the Chinese Communist Party.

MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2007
MAO ZEDONG (MAO TSE-TUNG): AN HISTORICAL EVALUATION

Historians and the Chinese look at Mao's Legacy in historical persepctive.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2007
CHINA AFTER MAO

A consideration of Deng Xiaoping's (Deng Hsiao-p'ing's) historical legacy.

Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 653 - 748

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2007
TIANANMEN SQUARE

The circumstances and events surrounding the pro-democracy movement in China during the 1980s and the suppression of that movement by the government in 1989.

VIDEO: THE GATE OF HEAVENLY PEACE - PART ONE

MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2007
TIANANMEN SQUARE IN CONTEXT: A FILM MAKER'S PERSPECTIVE

VIDEO: THE GATE OF HEAVENLY PEACE - PART TWO

ESSAY ASSIGNMENT DUE: MODERNIZATION IN CHINESE HISTORY – PART THREE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2007

CHINALINE CONFERENCE:
TIANANMEN SQUARE 1989

An examination of the impact and long range importance (both domestic and international) of the pro-democracy movement and its suppression.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2007
CHINA SINCE DENG: CONTEMPORARY CHINA IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

A consideration of life in China since the death of Deng Xiaoping's (Deng Hsiao-p'ing) in the light of insights provided by historical context.

CONCLUDING THE COURSE OF STUDY (FOUR SESSIONS)

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2007
DISCUSSION: JUNG CHANG'S WILD SWANS

ESSAY DUE: AN ANALYSIS OFWILD SWANS IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2007
CHINA 2007 IN HISTORICAL PRESPECTIVE

FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2007
RECONCILING PAST AND PRESENT IN TODAY'S CHINA

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2007 FINAL EXAM WEEK (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
COURSE EVALUATION SESSION

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT FIVE DUE
COURSE EVALUATION DUE