Course Description
A survey of early, classical, and medieval Chinese history, from the Shang to the Tang dynasty (2000 B.C.E.-800 C.E.). Central themes include state formation, state-society relations, economic foundations, cultural transformations, and intellectual innovations. Emphasis on interpreting primary sources in translation.
Athena Title
China's Imperial Age
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The principal objective of the course is to teach students to think critically for themselves about the relationships between the past and the present, to learn to ask questions of the past that enable them to understand the present and mold the future, and to become attuned to both the limitations and possibilities of change. The course seeks to acquaint students with the ways in which past societies and peoples have defined the relationships between community and individual needs and goals, and between ethical norms and decision-making. In general students will be expected to: 1. read a wide range of primary and secondary sources critically. 2. polish skills in critical thinking, including the ability to recognize the difference between opinion and evidence, and the ability to evaluate--and support or refute--arguments effectively. 3. write stylistically appropriate and mature papers and essays using processes that include discovering ideas and evidence, organizing that material, and revising, editing, and polishing the finished papers.
Topical Outline
I. Geography and Language: Diversity and Divergence II. The Shang and Zhou Dynasties: Ritual and Politics III. Intellectual Foundations of Early China IV. The Qin and Han Dynasties: Creation of the Imperial Order V. Buddhism and Religious Daoism: Salvationist Religions VI. The Sui and Tang Dynasties: The Golden Age of Chinese Civilization
Syllabus