History of Modern China Since 1840

Catalog description

This course examines China's modern history from around the 16th century to the present. It will go through the social, political, economic and cultural, as well as international developments China has experienced during the past four hundred years, with an emphasis placed upon the late 19th and 20th centuries. While this course will provide a chronological depiction of main historical events and historical figures, it will also emphasize a series of important themes crucial for comprehending the dynamics and trajectory of China’s modern era. Its purpose is not just to impart information; it also aims to cultivate a basic understanding of the significance of the Chinese experience in the age of worldwide modernization. This course will also expose students to different scholarly or other interpretations of China’s recent past, so that, hopefully, they will occupy an academically/intellectually informed position to critically embrace or discard all kinds of narratives of “China” and its modern history that they encounter. The format of the course combines lectures, critical discussions, and interactive selected texts reading. It is expected that all students will be prepared for the course outside class and will be actively engaged in all parts of the class. Prerequisites: None. Fulfillment: CORE HPC or IPC; GCS Chinese History, Society, and Culture; Humanities Introductory course (18-19: survey).