Modern China and Its Peoples

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to the history and culture of modern China, from the nineteenth century to present day. We will explore the remarkable changes in political life, intellectual trends, gender and ethnic relations, and cultural developments that occurred in China through these two tumultuous centuries, and examine the historical context for major events such as the revolutions of 1911 and 1949, the Cultural Revolution, and the 1989 democracy movement. We will then explore the key issues that the diverse peoples of contemporary China are confronting today, including environmental pollution, separatist movements, and economic growth. To explore these topics, this course will introduce to students a wide variety of materials, including historical documents, scholarly articles, editorials, novels, films, and other forms of popular culture. No background knowledge of China or Chinese language is required for the course.