CHN334: Chinese History (Background Speakers)
About this Unit
An in depth study of aspects of Chinese history as they are debated by modern historians, both in China and in the West. Texts, lectures and assignments will all be in Chinese and a level of Chinese approximately equivalent to HSC for Background Speakers will be required.
Teaching Staff
Convenor and Lecturer:
Dr Ye Xiaoqing
Office: W6A228
email: xiaoqing.ye@mq.edu.au
Contact Hours
2 hours per week
Pre/Co-Requisites
Prerequisites :12 cp or permission from Dean of Division
Corequisites : none
Credit Points
3 credit points
Content Overview
The aim of this course is to provide a general outline of developments in Chinese history as a background to a deeper understanding of contemporary Chinese society.
All texts and lectures are in Chinese (Mandarin), but more difficult passages will be thoroughly explained, and the course will also help students improve their knowledge of Chinese, especially more advanced aspects of the spoken and written language.
Lectures and readings will be based on the following themes. Please note all lectures will be in Mandarin and all texts in Chinese (simplified characters).
1 Introduction to Macro-history: Ray Huang’s Theory of Chinese history.
2 The natural environment and the origin of Chinese civilisation (Xia, Shang, Zhou)
3 Chinese philosophy: Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Daoism, Legalism.
4 The establishment of Chinese empire: The unification of China and the fall of the Qin. The Han and its northern enemies.
5 The period of division: the Three Kingdoms and the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The introduction of Buddhism into China.
6 The rise and fall of the Tang dynasty.
7 The Song and the Non-Chinese dynasties: Liao (Khitans), Jin (Jurchens), Yuan (Mongols).
8 The Ming dynasty: Rebuilding of the Great Wall. The ocean voyages of Zheng He. The arrival of the Jesuits.
9 The Qing dynasty: the Manchus. Three major emperors of the Qing – Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong. The question of signification.
10 The decline of the Qing: the Opium War, the Self Strengthening Movement, the introduction of Western science and technology, the Hundred Days Reform.
11 Modern China: The Revolution of 1911, the May Fourth Movement. Rise of the Communist Party. China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Course Materials
The main textbook (which must be purchased) is CHN 334 Readings in Chinese History (CHN334), which is available in the Co-Op Bookshop.
Assessment
One essay in Chinese, due in Week Six (40%).
One end of semester examination, held in Week Thirteen (60%).
Essay topics will be announced in Week Two.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University's rules and carries significant penalties. You must read the University's practices and procedures on plagiarism. These can be found in the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies or on the web at: http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism/
Grading Policy
Academic Senate has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from fail to high distinction. Your final result will include one of these grades plus a standardised numerical grade (SNG).
Your raw mark for a unit (i.e., the total of your marks for each assessment item) may not be the same as the SNG which you receive. Under the Senate guidelines, results may be scaled to ensure that there is a degree of comparability across the university.
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