Song Dynasty Texts

Catalog description

The goal of this course is to gain a practical ability in doing research concerning the Song dynasty by utilizing Chinese primary sources. Each session we will take a type of source, look at examples of it in the library, consider indexes and other reference aids, consider historiographical uses and limitations, and do some communal reading of a sample text distributed in advance, as well as sight-reading of short samples students bring to class, prepared to translate for the class. We will cover sources including standard histories (Song shi, Liao shi, Jin shi), narrative history (Xu zizhi tongjian changbian), biographical accounts (epitaphs, index of Song biographies), diaries, letters, inscriptions, anecdotes, regional histories/gazetteers, and government documents (Song hui yao).