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 --
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:
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, will 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).
A consideration of the basic defining concepts around which the entire course of study has been constructed.
ATTITUDE SURVEY DUE
January 22, 2001 (M)
THE GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING
An overview of Chinese geography and a consideration of its impact on the long course of China's history.
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, February 18, 2001
January 24, 2001 (W)
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.
January 26, 2001 (F)
THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF CHINA TO 1800: THE
ONION
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.
CHINALINE PREFERENCE CHOICES DUE
JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT I DUE
January 29, 2001 (M)
THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF CHINA TO 1800: THE
HEXAGON
Continuing our thematic exploration of the basic characteristics of traditional Chinese civilization and culture, the hexagon allows consideration of the traditional marketing system.
January 31, 2001 (W)
THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF CHINA TO 1800: THE
PYRAMID
The final installment of our thematic exploration of the basic characteristics of traditional Chinese civilization and culture, the pyramid illustrates how the various social, economic and political organizational patterns work together as a single cultural entity.
WRITING SKILLS ASSESSMENT PROJECT ACCEPTED
February 2, 2001 (F)
THE QING POLITICAL ORDER
An exploration of the institutional and organizational forces serving to structure the traditional political order during the Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty (1644 - 1912).
Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 41 - 67
February 5, 2001 (M)
QING SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
A consideration of traditional social institutions, traditional life styles, rituals and entertainment and their contributions to the organization of Qing social life.
Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 69 - 100
February 7, 2001 (W)
QING ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS
A consideration of traditional economic institutions and their contributions to the organization of Qing economic life.
Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 245 - 275
February 9, 2001 (F)
LANGUAGE, THOUGHT AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES DURING
THE QING I
Examining the role of language, philosophy and religion in defining traditional Chinese civilization and culture.
Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 101 - 185
February 12, 2001 (M)
LANGUAGE, THOUGHT AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES DURING
THE QING II
Continuing our consideration of the role of language, philosophy and religion in defining traditional Chinese civilization and culture.
February 14, 2001 (W)
HIGH CULTURE IN THE QING
A consideration of artistic and literary products and practices among the educated elite of traditional Chinese society and culture.
Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 187 - 243
February 16, 2001 (F)
CHINA ENCOUNTERS THE WEST I
An examination of the historical interaction between China and the outside world -- and the traditional Chinese reaction to these encounters.
Reading Assignment: Smith, pp. 277 - 298; Spence, pp. 117 - 136
WRITING SKILLS ASSESSMENT PROJECT FINAL DEADLINE
EXTENDED ESSAY TOPIC CHOICE and BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE
February 19, 2001 (M)
HOLIDAY - PRESIDENTS' DAY
February 21, 2001 (W)
CHINA ENCOUNTERS THE WEST II
Continuing our examination of the historical interaction between China and the outside world.
THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION (SEVEN SESSIONS)
February 23, 2001 (F)
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 II DUE
Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 137 - 170
February 26, 2001 (M)
THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION II
Continuing ourchronological and thematic consideration of the challenges to the traditional Chinese world view.
February 28, 2001 (W)
THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION III
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, exploring the last days of the traditional Chinese imperial system as the Qing Dynasty faces collapse and the Chinese encounter the prospect of revolutionary change.
Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 170 - 244
March 2, 2001 (F)
CHINALINE CONFERENCE: 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
JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT III DUE
March 5, 2001 (M)
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.
EXTENDED ESSAY ASSIGNMENT DUE: MODERNIZATION IN CHINESE HISTORY – PART ONE
March 7, 2001 (W)
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
March 9, 2001 (F)
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.
March 11, 2001 (M) - March
15, 2001 (F)
HOLIDAY - MID-SEMESTER BREAK
March 19, 2001 (M)
THE NORTHERN EXPEDITION
Outlining the military campaign seeking to wrest authority and power from local warlords and reestablish a centralized government under Chiang Kai-shek.
March 21, 2001 (W)
THE EMERGING COMMUNIST ALTERNATIVE
Examining the intellectual, political and military origins of the Chinese Communist Party during the 1920s and 1930s.
March 23, 2001 (F)
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
March 26, 2001 (M)
CHINALINE CONFERENCE: THE FAILURES OF REPUBLICANISM
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
JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT IV DUE.
March 28, 2001 (W)
THE COMMUNIST RISE TO POWER
A chronologically-arranged overview of the events leading to the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949.
EXTENDED ESSAY ASSIGNMENT DUE: MODERNIZATION IN CHINESE HISTORY – PART TWO
March 30, 2001 (F)
CHINALINE CONFERENCE: THE THOUGHT OF MAO
A discussion and assessment of the unique characteristics associated with Mao's approach to Communist ideology and their potential for successful implementation in modern China.
April 2, 2001 (M)
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.
April 4, 2001 (W)
COMPLIANCE CYCLE THEORY
The introduction of a theoretical construct enabling a more insightful understanding of Chinese life since 1949.
Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 514 - 652
April 6, 2001 (F)
CHINA SINCE 1949
A chronological overview of the PRC placing the actual events in Chinese history after 1949 into the theoretical Complaince Cycle Theory construct.
April 9, 2001 (M)
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.
April 11, 2001 (W)
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.
April 13, 2001 (F)
CHINALINE CONFERENCE: CHINA UNDER MAO --
THEORY AND PRACTICE
A multifaceted evaluation of the impact of Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung) on the course of Chinese history since his assumption of Chinese Communist Party leadership during the course of the Long March.
April 16, 2001 (M)
CHINA SINCE MAO
A consideration of Deng Xiaoping's (Deng Hsiao-p'ing's) historical legacy.
Reading Assignment: Spence, pp. 653 - 748
April
18, 2001 (W)
VIDEO: "THE GATE OF HEAVENLY PEACE"
A video inquiry into the personalities, events and political postions prompting the pro-democracy movement and its suppression in 1989.
April 20, 2001
(F)
DISCUSSION:"THE GATE OF HEAVENLY PEACE"
A discussion of the video and its presentation of the personalities, events and political postions involved in the pro-democracy movement of 1989.
April 23, 2001
(M)
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.
April 25, 2001
(W)
CHINA SINCE DENG
A consideration of Chinese life since the death of Deng Xiaoping's (Deng Hsiao-p'ing).
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT DUE: MODERNIZATION IN CHINESE HISTORY – PART THREE
April 27, 2001 (F)
DISCUSSION: JUNG CHANG'S WILD SWANS
ESSAY DUE: AN ANALYSIS OFWILD SWANS IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
April 30, 2001 (M)
CHINA IN 2001
A consideration of life in China today.
May 2, 2001 (W)
CONTEMPORARY CHINA IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
A look at contemporary China in the light of insights provided by historical context.
May 9, 2001 (W)
COURSE EVALUATION SESSION
COURSE EVALUATION DUE
JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT V DUE