Introduction to Chinese Civilization

Fall 2011 01:165:125 T/Th 4:30-5:50 CA-A4 Instructor: Dr. Gloria Shen [email protected] Office: Scott 328; Hours: TBA

Books: Rutgers University Bookstore, New Brunswick (732) 246-8448 1. The Open Empire: A History of China to 1600, Valerie Hansen. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000. (ISBN 0-393-97374-3) 2. A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, Wing-tsit Chan. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1963. (ISBN 0-691-01964-9) 3. Readings on reserve. (Book #1 is required and Book #2 is recommended. The Hansen book is great and the Chan book is a classic. Do your best to get these used.)

Course Content: This course will explore China from 1200 BCE to 1600 CE. This is a huge time span of almost 3000 years in which time China moves from its Neolithic up to the cusp of the early modern period. History is the topic which we will support through the study of period art, literature, religion and philosophy, archaeology, ethnicity and identity. By the end of this course, you should have a good sense of Chinese chronology, the early psychomental complex, and China’s relationship with its neighbors and its minorities during the traditional period. Avoid missing class since you will be responsible for the content of the films, along with experiencing and learning from other visual and literary materials that support the course. Since exams are announced, no-make-ups are possible.

Grades: Classroom attendance --10% Classroom participation –10% Mid-Term Exam -- 40% Final Exam – 40%

Final Paper—Optional: The paper is one five-page book report (optional for bonus points), written according to strict MLA style sheet guidelines, with citations and bibliography.

Honesty: No cheating or plagiarizing. Rutgers has strict guidelines about this and a very stressful interview process for suspected offenders. Smart people hold their centers and do not succumb. Missing class begins a downward spiral. Use your freedom wisely.

Attendance Policies: I take class attendance. If you miss class, you miss the material. Make a friend with whom you can share notes and realize that nobody beside yourself is responsible for your grade in this or any other class. If you miss class more than three times the whole semester, you will get a letter grade lower than what you get with full attendance. If you miss class more than six times, you will get two letter grades lower. Cheating and plagiarizing are serious offenses at RU. Never let me suspect you are engaging in the favorite RU vice of grade grabbing. Work hard! You will enjoy the class. Schedule: Fall 2011—Subject to Change--*Readings are for the next class

Sept. 1 Introduction. Buy your books and read in Hansen pp. 1-34 (*for the next class). 6 Discuss earliest period of oracle bones. Read Hansen 35-53. 8-- Discuss readings on bronzes. Read Hansen 55-74. 13 Discuss the cultural content of Confucius’ world. Chan, 3-13. 15 Continue discuss the cultural content of Confucius’ world. 20 Confucius’ Analects. Hansen 74-95. 22 Discuss the degeneration of Confucian ideal society. 27 Continue discussion of previous reading. Hansen 97-112: The Creation of Empire Qin: Film: Terra Cotta Soldiers (S/R: The Silk Road) 29 Discuss the Han Dynasty and Empress Lu. Hansen 112-126.

Oct. 4 Discuss Lady Dai’s Tomb excavation and the banner. Experience the application of Han Dynasty mythology. Hansen 126-149. 6 Continue discussion of previous reading: focus on women and power and place in the Han Dynasty. Hansen 153-170. 11 Film: The Emperor and the Assassin 13 Continue discussion of previous reading. 18 Mid-term Exam—Part I: Inventing China (ca.1200 B.C.—A.D. 200) Movie: The Emperor and the Assassin 20 Continue discussion of previous reading. 25 Discuss Buddhism. Hansen 170-189. 27 Continue discussion of previous reading. Film: The Cave Paintings (S/R)

Nov. 1 Discuss Chinese Mahayana Buddhist doctrine. 3 China’s Golden Age. Hansen 191-219. 8 Discuss the reading…see some period artwork of Buddhist images, Ming Huang and Yang Gui-Fei. Hansen 221-257. 10 Mizoguchi’s famous movie Yang Kwei-Fei in class. 15 Finish movie. Discuss An Lushan, Kwei-Fei and powerful women. Hansen 261-280. 17 Discuss the Song Dynasty and the economy. Hansen 280-297. 22 Discuss the Southern Song, China consolidates in the south, women move inside, and art takes a small format. Hansen 335-367. 29 Discuss the Mongols: Hansen 369-398.

Dec. 1 The Ming Dynasty and Its Changes. 6 A day to breathe. 8 Film: 1421--The Year China discovered America? 13 Submit your optional Book Report: The Four Lessons of Liao-fan Film: The Four Lessons of Liao-fan.

Final Exam: Time to be announced. --Part II: Facing West (A.D. 200-1000); Part III: Facing North (1000-1600).