History 471/571
China through the Ming
MWF
1:30-2:20
Breland Hall 182
Kenneth J. Hammond
Breland 245
646-1818
This course covers the history of China from the beginnings of written records around 1500 BCE through the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). We will be concerned with the economic, social, cultural and political development of China, and with Chinas relations with the world around it. The class will combine lectures with seminar discussions. Each week there will be lectures on Monday and Wednesday, while Fridays will be devoted to discussion of assigned readings or other questions arising in the course of the semester.
There are two assigned texts:
Valerie Hansen, The Open Empire.
Victor Mair, et al, eds., The Hawaii Reader in Traditional Chinese Culture.
The Hansen text provides a narrative overview, while the reader presents primary sources in translation. Each week specific texts from the reader will be assigned. Students will prepare prιcis for these, which will serve as the basis for discussion in the alternate Friday sessions. These short writings and the discussions will account for 30% of the course grade. There will also be a research paper, on a topic to be determined in consultation with me no later than the fourth week of the semester. Research papers should be in the range of 12-15 pages for undergraduate students, and 20-25 pages for graduate students. These will account for 20% of the course grade for undergraduates, and for 70% of the grade for graduate students. Undergraduates will also have midterm and final examinations, which will each account for 25% of the final grade. Graduate students do not take these exams.
In accord with NMSU policy academic misconduct will not be tolerated. Plagiarism or any form of cheating will result in failure of the course.
If you feel you have any special needs which require accommodation for the successful completion of this course please contact the Office for Services for Students with Disabilities.
Course Outline
August 22 Introduction
25 Geographic setting
Reading: Ch. 1
27 Neolithic origins
29 The Shang
Sept. 01 Labor Day
03 The Zhou Conquest
05 Discussion: Texts 1, 3 & 5
08 Spring & Autumn to Warring States
Reading: Ch. 2
10 Confucius & Laozi
12 Other Schools
15 Legalism and the Rise of Qin
Reading: Ch. 3
17 Early Han
19 Discussion: Texts 7, 9, 10[Great Learning], 12 [Classic Book of Integrity ],18 [Discourse on Ritual], 23.
22 Buddhism
Reading: Ch. 4
24 Later Han
26 Three Kingdoms
29 Northern & Southern Dynasties
Oct. 01 Sui & Early Tang
Reading: Ch. 5
03 Discussion: Texts 26, 47
06 - High Tang
Oct. 08 An Lushan & After
Reading: Ch. 6
10 Han Yu & Late Tang
13 The Transition from Tang to Song
15 Northern Song Intellectual Ferment
Reading: Ch. 7
17 Southern Song Economic & Social Developments
20 Zhu Xi & Daoxue
22 Discussion: Texts 50, 52, 53, 63, 64.
24 Midterm exam (undergrads)
27 Liao & Jin
Reading: Ch. 8
29 The Mongols
Reading: Ch. 9
31 From Yuan to Ming
Nov. 03 The Early Ming
Reading: Ch. 10
05 The Ming Economy and Early Globalization
07 Discussion: Texts 74, 76
10 Social and cultural change in the mid-Ming
12 Wang Yangming and his followers
14 Eunuchs in the Ming
17 The European entry into China
19 Crises of the Wanli Reign
21 Discussion: Texts 71, 72
24-28 Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 01 The Rise of the Manchus
03 The Donglin & Fushe Movements
05 The Fall of the Ming
08 Final Discussion: Texts 71, 77-81
Final Examination: Monday Dec. 8, 1:00 - 3:00 pm