HST 485/504 Chinese Social
and Cultural History
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The major themes of Modern Chinese history are
CHANGE & TRANSFORMATION.
This course is a general
survey of Chinese social and cultural history and an examination of how they
developed and transformed throughout different historical periods. This course intends to introduce to students major
Chinese traditions, both in theory and practice, and offer them a better
understanding of the true picture of the Chinese society. Students will have opportunities to learn
various activities on how the Chinese think, eat, work, play, getting married,
celebrating holidays, or doing other things similar or different from the
Western countries. Discussions will
also be devoted to issues such as women status, family relations, bound feet,
human rights, legal system, “one child per family” policy, religious beliefs,
etc. The course adopts a comparative
approach in studying the Chinese traditions and cultural developments.
1. Jeanna Waley-Cohen, The Sextants of
History, W. W. Norton & Company,
2.
W. W. Norton & Company,
3.
Lu Xun, Selected Stories, W. W. Norton & Company,
2003.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. One final exam 150 points
2. One Comparative Essay 150
3.
4. Attendance 100
Examination includes identifications and
essays.
China Cultural Profile is a package of general information on Chinese culture and society. Format of the package is up to your own
design. The package should include the following:
--Your year of animals
according to the Chinese lunar calendar and the zodiac character of your animal
sign;
--Your choice of Chinese
name and the meaning;
--
--Basic data of
--Major holidays
(political & traditional), their meanings and activities involved;
--Famous Chinese cuisines,
a couple of recipes, and your favorite Chinese food;
--A couple of examples
in comparison & contrast of the Chinese & western/US culture &
traditions;
--Other information you
think interesting to include in the package.
Comparative Essay requires students to
choose one topic to compare how it is different or similar in
Attendance consists of 1/5 of
the total grade in this class since we are meeting only once a week. Missing
Two weeks of classes without legitimate excuse will result in the reduction to
the next lower letter grade. Missing 4
weeks or more of classes will result in the “F” in this class.
Graduate Students should see the
instructor to arrange extra assignment for graduate credits.
This
instructor requires the entire class to follow the
GRADE SCALE
A=500-450 B=449-400 C=399-350 D=349-300 F=299
and below
COURSE
SCHEDULE
Week 1 Jan. 12
No class, class begins on Wed.
Week 2 Jan 19
No Class, National holiday
Week 3 Jan 26
Introduction
1. The Emperor system
Emperors, concubines,
& the
Spence, pp. 93-108
Week 4 Feb. 2
Philosophies &
religions
Confucianism, Daoism,
Legalism
Christianity &
Buddhism
Examination System
Spence, pp. 11-49, 132-140
Week 5 Feb. 9
Legal System
Modern political system
Criminal law, civil law,
& social order
Spence, pp. 68-90, 109-131, 228-256
Week 6 Feb. 16
No Class, National
Week 7 Feb.
23
1. Marriage & Family
Tradition, wedding,
& family responsibility
2. Ancestor Worship
Funeral & Memorial
day
Spence, pp. 155-163
Week 8 Mar. 1
1. Minority vs. Majority
Ethnic groups & Peasantry
2. Women Status
Bound feet
Spence, pp. 219-227
Week 9 Mar. 8
Chinese Holidays
Lunar calendar, Chinese
New Year, & Other festivals
Spence, pp. 50-67
**
Week 10 Mar. 15
Spring Recess
Week
11 Mar. 22
Tang poetry, Classic
works,
Lun Xun & New Cultural Movement
Reading: Spence, pp. 304-312
Week
12 Mar. 29
Sports
& Entertainment
a.
Movies & operas
b. Sports & MTV
c. Newspapers & pop culture
Reading: Spence, pp. 165-205
1. Education System
University, textbooks, & curriculum
2. Brain
drain?
Study
abroad & migration
Reading: Spence, pp.
141-164
Iron bowl, State & private sectors, & lay-offs
2.
Welfare & medical care system
Hospital, retirement, & housing problem
Reading: Spence, pp. 205-227, 259-276
**Comparison Essay
due on Monday
Week 16 Apr. 26
2.
Military buildup & National defense
Units,
service, benefits, & glory
Reading: Spence, pp. 293-312
Contemporary
Issues
Reform, modernization,
Human rights, Tibet, Hong Kong & Taiwan
China & Globalization
Reading: Spence, pp.
315-354
**Final Exam
**Please
read at least one story from Lu Xun’s “Selected Works” each week.
**The instructor
reserves the right to make changes in this schedule if necessary.
Websites for Your
Reference:
1.
Get
a Chinese name: http://www.mandarintools.com/chinesename.html
2.
Find
your year of the Chinese animal sign: http://chinese.astrology.com
3.
Chinese cuisines: http://www.mycookbook.net/Cuisines.asp
4.
Chinese government organization: http://c-b-w.com/general/goverment
http://www.chinatoday.com/general/a04.htm
http://www.chinatoday.com/gov/a.htm
5.
Chinese
National Flag and Anthem: http://www.taoyue.com/quad/china/anthem.html
6.
Chinese
minority ethnic groups: http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Minorities
7.
Chinese
military: http://www.chinasite.com/Military.html
8.
General
information: http://www.chinavista.com/experience/index.html