DOCSLIB.ORG

Song Dynasty Through the Ming Dynasty Reviewed by James Anderson

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Song Dynasty Through the Ming Dynasty Reviewed by James Anderson Asia: Biographies and Personal Stories, Part I suggestions for “Further Reading” that conclude points. It is clear that each the entry. In between the opening summary and volume is intended to be The Dictionary triumphs by virtue of being the concluding bibliography may be found not used in combination with only a chronological account of the emperor’s the others in the series, the best English-language resource for family background, youth, policies, and initia- which ought to help curi- novice students of Chinese cultural tives; personal interests; and place in history, but ous readers’ experiences also a one-page sidebar entry on “Wall-Building of Chinese biography as history with which I am familiar. in Ancient China,” which in turn points the read- history from becoming er to entries on the Great Wall, the Warring States too narrow or shallow. The front matter found renderings in fantizi (traditional Chinese char- period, several different dynasties, Gansu Prov- in volume 1 includes a political map of contem- acters) as each Chinese term is introduced, espe- ince, the Korean peninsula, and Mao Zedong. porary China with place names given in both cially in a volume that focuses exclusively on early Even entries dedicated to lesser (or less well- pinyin (romanization) and jiantizi (simplified China, when no simplified system was in place. known) figures, such as the cosmological thinker Chinese characters). However, these equivalents may be found in one Zou Yan (ca. 324–250 BCE), introduce the reader What looks like a valuable set of appendices, of the appendices included in volume 3. More- to a rich array of asterisked references to entries including guides to pronunciation, key terms over, the readers most likely to make use of this on Sima Qian, Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, Dong in pinyin, and chronological periodization, is resource probably will be less concerned with or- Zhongshu, Sunzi, and Deng Xiaoping. Along the included only with the third volume, although thography and more interested in seeing how the way, the reader also encounters mentions of many a thirteen-page index of the entire series may 135 individuals profiled in the series fit into the defining characteristics of Chinese civilization, be found at the end of each volume. (A future mosaic of the world’s oldest continuous civiliza- including Confucianism, Daoism, yin-yang the- fourth volume will include the biographies of tion. In that endeavor, the Dictionary triumphs by ory, the correlation of the five elements with cos- post-1979 Chinese figures.) virtue of being the best English-language resource mic processes, and Traditional Chinese Medicine The large, widely spaced text of each entry for novice students of Chinese cultural history (TCM), as well as graphics and tables that illus- makes it easy to read. The intended readership of with which I am familiar. It is a resource that all trate these characteristics. this series appears to be high school and first- and libraries and many teachers should make an effort Like any reference work, volumes in this se- second-year university students, although those to acquire. n ries suffer from a lack of overall narrative that who teach younger students can make good use can guide readers strategically and comprehen- of this resource, and older students and adults NOTES sively from point to point. That is the weakness who lack a background in Chinese studies may 1. “Is Biography History?,” OUPblog, last modified Feb- of any such resource, as well as its strength: benefit from the clear, concise information pro- ruary 10, 2011, http://blog.oup.com/2011/02/biogra- phy. readers can direct themselves from entry to en- vided in the volume. Although nearly all students 2. Kerry Brown, introduction to The Berkshire Dictio- try, following the paths outlined by cross-refer- now learn to read Chinese in its simplified form nary of Chinese Biography (Great Barrington, MA: ences and asterisks, and may end up in vastly (at least initially), it is unfortunate that the editors Berkshire Publishing Group, 2014), xxi-xxii, xxiv. different places depending upon their starting neglected to provide equivalents for simplified Volume 2: Song Dynasty through the Ming Dynasty Reviewed by James Anderson JAMES ANDERSON is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A historian of premodern China and Việt Nam, Anderson’s first book is The Rebel Den of Nùng Trí Cao: Loyalty and Identity Along the Sino-Vietnamese Frontier (University of Washington Press, 2007). Anderson is currently engaged in research for a new book on the southwestern Silk Road between China and northern Southeast Asia during the ninth through thirteenth centuries. Anderson is the coeditor, with Nola Cooke and Li Tana, of The Tongking Gulf Through History (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011) and coeditor with John Whitmore of China’s Encounters on the South and Southwest: Reforging the Fiery Frontier Over Two Millennia (Leiden: Brill, 2014). he Berkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biog- Chinese history and scholars of China in gen- and political trends of this extended period. The raphy is the product of a superb effort by eral will benefit from consulting these detailed volume’s layout is clearly arranged, with a map numerous scholars to create a reference biographies. and a detailed list of entries at the beginning of Twork for students to learn more about signifi- My review focuses on volume 2 from this the book. Each entry contains helpful illustra- cant figures in Chinese history from all walks of multivolume set, which includes the biogra- tions, as well as sidebar passages of poetry or life. This compilation of biographical sketches, phies of figures from the Song, Jin, Yuan, and prose for many of the literary figures. The large, illuminated with well-researched and contextu- Ming dynasties. This volume covers nearly 300 easy-to-read text makes the volume relatively alized information about the lives and achieve- years of history, and its contributors have select- simple to skim for information. The volume has ments of the men and women featured here, is ed an array of historical personages to illustrate the appearance of a well-organized textbook, an impressive accomplishment. All students of the great philosophical, technological, military, which suggests that the target audience would 23 Asia: Biographies and Personal Stories, Part I be students ranging from high school and uni- Sheng’s invention was not realized until cen- for Shen Kuo, an important figure in the histo- versity students to possibly first-year graduate turies after his death. In this manner, readers ry of Chinese science and technology. I am also students. General readers would learn much are made aware of the delayed social impact of not certain why the map at the beginning of this from this work, but the volume of detailed infor- this important technological innovation, even section does not feature the Dali kingdom near mation may be intimidating. Each section of the when we can rightly note that Bi Sheng pre- the southwest corner of the empire and why the book describes a different dynasty and begins dated Johannes Gutenberg by nearly 500 years. Vietnamese kingdom is listed as “Annam,” a with a dynastic map and a short historical in- The authors’ sidebar on Cai Lun, the alleged in- term used in the Tang, and not “Jiaozhi” or “Đại troduction, followed by the various biographies. ventor of paper, and Gutenberg is an effective Việt.” However, these minor points aside, this Chinese characters in their simplified forms are evaluation of these two inventors’ achievements section accomplishes the authors’ aims by pre- included for most personal names, place names, in world historical terms. Other entries in this senting a full and complex picture of Chinese and many important terms. I would also like section vary in the amount of contextual infor- society under the Northern and Southern Song to see the traditional characters included, but I mation they present. Several biographies focus courts. realize that there are space limitations and ed- more narrowly on the individuals and their The section on the Jin dynasty contains ex- itorial restrictions one must consider. Overall, times. The biography for the female calligra- cellent entries for Genghis Khan, founder of the this volume of the biographical dictionary is a pher and poet Li Qingzhao describes the life Mongol Empire, and the early Mongol conquer- valuable resource, in which newcomers to Song and achievements of a woman who excelled at ors of much of Eurasia. However, only one en- through Ming history can quickly access and literary pursuits, but the entry also tells of per- try is devoted to a Jurchen political leader, the absorb information regarding these pivotal fig- sonal hardships she and her husband faced with Jin founder Jin Taizu. There are strong reasons ures from China’s past. the fall of the Northern Song court to the invad- for providing readers with detailed biographies The section of the volume on the Song dy- ing Jurchen. The biographies of the well-known of these important Mongol leaders, but I think nasty is well-balanced, with individuals from scholars Su Shi, Sima Guang, and Wang Anshi that more attention could be paid to other Jin military, political, and cultural circles all rep- collectively offer the reader an evenhanded de- subjects and their contributions to the region’s resented. The entry describing the early Song piction of the factional political struggles that history. One such figure is the ethnic Khitan inventor of moveable type, Bi Sheng, is particu- plagued the late eleventh-century court of Shen- Confucian scholar and adviser to Genghis Khan, larly effective. The authors describe his achieve- zong and his immediate successors. I have a few Yelü Chucai, who allegedly saved the inhabitants ments, but also note that the full potential of Bi minor quibbles, such as the lack of a biography of the North China Plain from annihilation by 24 Education About ASIA Volume 19, Number 3 Winter 2014 Asia: Biographies and Personal Stories, Part I arguing to the Mongol leadership that taxing of the book, individuals (although all male) from in the entries.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Exploring Counterfactuals in English and Chinese. Zhaoyi Wu University of Massachusetts Amherst
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 1-1-1989 Exploring counterfactuals in English and Chinese. Zhaoyi Wu University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1 Recommended Citation Wu, Zhaoyi, "Exploring counterfactuals in English and Chinese." (1989). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014. 4511. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1/4511 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EXPLORING COUNTERFACTUALS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE A Dissertation Presented by ZHAOYI WU Submitted to the Graduate Schoo 1 of the University of Massachusetts in parti al fulfillment of the requirements for the deg ree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION February, 1989 School of Education © Copyright by Zhaoyi Wu 1989 All Rights Reserved exploring counterfactuals IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE A Dissertation Presented by ZHAOYI WU Approved as to style and content by: S' s\ Je#£i Willett^ Chairperson oT Committee Luis Fuentes, Member Alfred B. Hudson, Member /V) (it/uMjf > .—A-- ^ ' 7)_ Mapdlyn Baring-Hidote, Dean School of Education ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this dissertation would not have been possible without the help and suggestions given by professors of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the active participation of Chinese students in the discussion of counterfactuals in English and Chinese. I am grateful to Dr. Jerri Willett for her recommendation of references to various sources of literature and her valuable comments on the manuscript.
    [Show full text]
  • Gutenberg Publishes the World's First Printed Book
    Gutenberg Publishes the World's First Printed Book The exact date that Johannes Gutenberg published his first book - The Bible - isn't clear, although some historians believe the first section was published on September 30, 1452. The completed book - according to the Library of Congress - may have been released around 1455 or 1456. What is for sure is that Gutenberg's work, published on his printing press, changed the world. For the first time, books could be "mass produced" instead of "hand copied." It is believed that 48 originals, in various states of repair, still exist. The British Library has two copies - one printed on paper, the other on vellum (from the French word Vélin, meaning calf's skin) - and they can be viewed and compared online. The Bible, as Gutenberg published it, had 42 lines of text, evenly spaced in two columns: Gutenberg's Bible was a marvel of technology and a beautiful work of art. It was truly a masterpiece. The letters were perfectly formed, not fuzzy or smudged. They were all the same height and stood tall and straight on the page. The 42 lines of text were spaced evenly in two perfect columns. The large versals were bright, colorful and artistic. Some pages had more colorful artwork weaving around the two columns of text. (Johannes Gutenberg: Inventor of the Printing Press, by Fran Rees, page 67.) Did Gutenberg know how important his work would become? Most historians think not: Gutenberg must have been pleased with his handiwork. But he wouldn't have known then that this Bible would be considered one of the most beautiful books ever printed.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Neijing Classical Acupuncture Part II: Clinical Theory Journal of Chinese Medicine • Number 102 • June 2013
    20 Introduction to Neijing Classical Acupuncture Part II: Clinical Theory Journal of Chinese Medicine • Number 102 • June 2013 Introduction to Neijing Classical Acupuncture Part II: Clinical Theory Abstract By: Edward Neal As outlined in Part I of this article, the theories and practices of Neijing classical acupuncture are radically different from the type of acupuncture commonly practised today. In essence, Neijing classical acupuncture is Keywords: a form of clinical surgery, the goal of which is to restore the body’s circulatory pathways and tissue planes to a Acupuncture, state of dynamic balance. In its clinical application, Neijing classical acupuncture is a physician-level skill built Neijing, classical, upon a sophisticated understanding of the innate patterns of nature and an in-depth knowledge of the structure history, basic and physiology of the human body. Neijing classical acupuncture does not depend on point-action theory - the principles conceptual framework that dominates most current thinking in modern acupuncture - for its therapeutic efficacy. Rather, the goal of Neijing classical acupuncture is to regulate the different tissue planes of the body in order to restore the free circulation of blood, and in doing so allow the body to return to its original state of balance and innate self-healing. I. Background theoretical descriptions of acupuncture were outlined The detailed writings laid down in the original texts in the original medical texts where their core principles of Chinese medicine during the later Warring States period (475-221 BCE) and Western Han Dynasty (206 that is the least understood today.3 BCE-9 CE) represent a comprehensive theoretical system that has stood the test of time for over two History of the Lingshu family of texts millennia.
    [Show full text]
  • Chinese Inventions - Paper & Movable Type Printing by Vickie
    Name Date Chinese Inventions - Paper & Movable Type Printing By Vickie Invention is an interesting thing. Sometimes, an invention was developed to fulfill a specific need. Other times, it was simply a chance discovery. Looking back in history, there are two Chinese inventions that fell into the first category. They are paper and movable type printing. Long before paper was invented, the ancient Chinese carved characters to record their thoughts on tortoise shells, animal bones, and stones. Since those "writing boards" were heavy and not easy to carry around, they switched to writing on bamboo, wooden strips, and silk. The new alternatives were clearly better, but they were either still heavy or very costly. Then, during the Western Han dynasty (202 B.C. - 8 A.D.), paper made its debut. Its inventor is unknown. When paper first came out, it was not easy to produce in large quantities. And its quality was poor. Several decades later, a palace official named Tsai Lun (also spelled as Cai Lun) had a breakthrough in the papermaking process. He experimented with different materials and eventually settled on using tree bark, rags, and bits of rope to produce paper. He presented his first batch of paper to the emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty in 105 A.D. Tsai Lun's technique of making paper became an instant hit! It was quickly introduced to Korea and other countries nearby. In 751 A.D., Arabs learned the technique from the Chinese soldiers they captured in a war. They passed it on to Europe and, eventually, other parts of the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Four Great Inventions of China Many of the Greatest Inventions in Human History Were First Made in China
    History Topic of the Month Four Great Inventions of China Many of the greatest inventions in human history were first made in China. By the 13th century, China was an innovative and exciting place to live. Travellers from Europe discovered things there that were beyond imagination in Europe. When the explorer Marco Polo arrived in China, he encountered a Contributer: © Patrick Guenette / 123rf country vastly different from his home of Venice. In his book, The Travels of Marco Polo, Polo describes cities Cai Lun (AD c.57 – 121), was a Chinese courtier official. He is believed to with broad, straight and clean streets (very different from his be the inventor of paper and the home in Venice) where even the poorest people could wash papermaking process, discovering in great bath houses at least three time a week (again very techniques that created paper as we different from hygiene in Europe). would recognise it today. China celebrates four particular innovations as “the Four Great Inventions” — they were even featured as a part of the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. So, what were these four great inventions? Writing it all down: Paper The first of the great inventions was something we all use almost every day: paper. Many different materials had been used for writing things down, like bamboo, wood (both hard to store and write on) or silk and cloth (much more expensive). Types of paper have been found in archaeological records dating back thousands of years, but it was very difficult to make. It wasn’t until AD c.105 that a quick and easy way of making paper was invented.
    [Show full text]
  • UC GAIA Chen Schaberg CS5.5-Text.Indd
    Idle Talk New PersPectives oN chiNese culture aNd society A series sponsored by the American Council of Learned Societies and made possible through a grant from the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange 1. Joan Judge and Hu Ying, eds., Beyond Exemplar Tales: Women’s Biography in Chinese History 2. David A. Palmer and Xun Liu, eds., Daoism in the Twentieth Century: Between Eternity and Modernity 3. Joshua A. Fogel, ed., The Role of Japan in Modern Chinese Art 4. Thomas S. Mullaney, James Leibold, Stéphane Gros, and Eric Vanden Bussche, eds., Critical Han Studies: The History, Representation, and Identity of China’s Majority 5. Jack W. Chen and David Schaberg, eds., Idle Talk: Gossip and Anecdote in Traditional China Idle Talk Gossip and Anecdote in Traditional China edited by Jack w. cheN aNd david schaberg Global, Area, and International Archive University of California Press berkeley los Angeles loNdoN The Global, Area, and International Archive (GAIA) is an initiative of the Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley, in partnership with the University of California Press, the California Digital Library, and international research programs across the University of California system. University of California Press, one of the most distinguished university presses in the United States, enriches lives around the world by advancing scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Its activities are supported by the UC Press Foundation and by philanthropic contributions from individuals and institutions. For more information, visit www.ucpress.edu. University of California Press Berkeley and Los Angeles, California University of California Press, Ltd.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Book in China ­ Oxford Reference
    9/1/2016 40 The History of the Book in China ­ Oxford Reference Oxford Reference The Oxford Companion to the Book Edited by Michael F. Suarez, S.J. and H. R. Woudhuysen Publisher: Oxford University Press Print Publication Date: 2010 Print ISBN­13: 9780198606536 Published online: 2010 Current Online Version: 2010 eISBN: 9780199570140 40 The History of the Book in China J. S. EDGREN 1 The book before paper and printing 2 Tang to Yuan (7th–14th centuries) 3 Ming to Qing (14th–19th centuries) 4 The 20th century 1 The book before paper and printing nd th Although the early invention of true paper (2 century BC) and of textual printing (late 7 century) by *woodblock printing profoundly influenced the development of the book in China, the materials and manufacture of books before paper and before printing also left some traces. Preceding the availability of paper as a writing surface, the earliest books in China, known as jiance or jiandu, were written on thin strips of prepared bamboo and wood, which were usually interlaced in sequence by parallel bands of twisted thongs, hemp string, or silk thread. The text was written with a *writing brush and lampblack *ink in vertical columns from right to left—a *layout retained by later MSS and printed books—after which the strips were rolled up to form a primitive *scroll binding (see 17). The surviving specimens of jiance are mostly the result of 20th­ th rd century scientific archaeological recovery, and date from around the 6 century BC to the 3 century AD.
    [Show full text]
  • Family and Society in Tang and Song Dynasties- Invention, Artistic Creativity, and Scholarly Refinement
    Family and Society in Tang and Song Dynasties- Invention, Artistic Creativity, and Scholarly Refinement Hannah Boisvert and Malik Power Family Society Family structure in the Tang and Song dynasty was very similar to the family structures found in earlier time periods. Main aspects of families in the Tang and Song period • Improvement in role of women • Respect and importance of males and elders • Marriage alliances • Gender gap present • Divorce • Male dominance Role of Men and Women As seen in previous areas, men were still perceived as superior to women. Some examples of this include the following: • Authority- Males held the power in family societies. • Women’s responsibilities in the home were set by neo-Confucian thinking. • There was a major difference between the treatment of men and women. • The position of women began to slowly improve. • Marriage alliances began forming. • Divorce became an option. • Footbinding displayed the constriction women faced. Children and Importance of Elders • Like men, elders held a role of authority in families. • Children were expected to obey men and elders as well. There was severe punishment for hitting parents, grandparents, and siblings. • Marriages were almost always arranged for children, especially in the Tang dynasty. Invention • Although there were considerable political transformations, the Tang and Song eras are thought of as a time of remarkable Chinese accomplishments, in science, technology, literature, and the fine arts. • Other civilizations were also affected by the spread of these new tools, production techniques, and weapons. These tools helped change human development. Inventions in Agriculture Many new innovations had appeared in agriculture during the Tang and Song dynasty.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hundred Surnames: a Pinyin Index
    names collated:Chinese personal names and 100 surnames.qxd 29/09/2006 12:59 Page 3 The hundred surnames: a Pinyin index Pinyin Hanzi (simplified) Wade Giles Other forms Well-known names Pinyin Hanzi (simplified) Wade Giles Other forms Well-known names Ai Ai Ai Zidong Cong Ts’ung Zong Cong Zhen Ai Ai Ai Songgu Cui Ts’ui Cui Jian, Cui Yanhui An An An Lushan Da Ta Da Zhongguang Ao Ao Ao Taosun, Ao Jigong Dai Tai Dai De, Dai Zhen Ba Pa Ba Su Dang Tang Dang Jin, Dang Huaiying Bai Pai Bai Juyi, Bai Yunqian Deng Teng Tang, Deng Xiaoping, Bai Pai Bai Qian, Bai Ziting Thien Deng Shiru Baili Paili Baili Song Di Ti Di Xi Ban Pan Ban Gu, Ban Chao Diao Tiao Diao Baoming, Bao Pao Bao Zheng, Bao Shichen Diao Daigao Bao Pao Bao Jingyan, Bao Zhao Ding Ting Ding Yunpeng, Ding Qian Bao Pao Bao Xian Diwu Tiwu Diwu Tai, Diwu Juren Bei Pei Bei Yiyuan, Bei Qiong Dong Tung Dong Lianghui Ben Pen Ben Sheng Dong Tung Dong Zhongshu, Bi Pi Bi Sheng, Bi Ruan, Bi Zhu Dong Jianhua Bian Pien Bian Hua, Bian Wenyu Dongfang Tungfang Dongfang Shuo Bian Pien Bian Gong Dongguo Tungkuo Dongguo Yannian Bie Pieh Bie Zhijie Dongmen Tungmen Dongmen Guifu Bing Ping Bing Yu, Bing Yuan Dou Tou Dou Tao Bo Po Bo Lin Dou Tou Dou Wei, Dou Mo, Bo Po Bo Yu, Bo Shaozhi Dou Xian Bu Pu Bu Tianzhang, Bu Shang Du Tu Du Shi, Du Fu, Du Mu Bu Pu Bu Liang Du Tu Du Yu Cai Ts’ai Chai, Cai Lun, Cai Wenji, Cai Ze Du Tu Du Xia Chua, Du Tu Du Qiong Choy Duan Tuan Duan Yucai Cang Ts’ang Cang Xie Duangan Tuankan Duangan Tong Cao Ts’ao Tso, Tow Cao Cao, Cao Xueqin, Duanmu Tuanmu Duanmu Guohu Cao Kun E O E
    [Show full text]
  • UNDERSTANDING CHINA a Diplomatic and Cultural Monograph of Fairleigh Dickinson University
    UNDERSTANDING CHINA a Diplomatic and Cultural Monograph of Fairleigh Dickinson University by Amanuel Ajawin Ahmed Al-Muharraqi Talah Hamad Alyaqoobi Hamad Alzaabi Molor-Erdene Amarsanaa Baya Bensmail Lorena Gimenez Zina Ibrahem Haig Kuplian Jose Mendoza-Nasser Abdelghani Merabet Alice Mungwa Seddiq Rasuli Fabrizio Trezza Editor Ahmad Kamal Published by: Fairleigh Dickinson University 1000 River Road Teaneck, NJ 07666 USA April 2011 ISBN: 978-1-457-6945-7 The opinions expressed in this book are those of the authors alone, and should not be taken as necessarily reflecting the views of Fairleigh Dickinson University, or of any other institution or entity. © All rights reserved by the authors No part of the material in this book may be reproduced without due attribution to its specific author. THE AUTHORS Amanuel Ajawin is a diplomat from Sudan Ahmed Al-Muharraqi is a graduate student from Bahrain Talah Hamad Alyaqoobi is a diplomat from Oman Hamad Alzaabi a diplomat from the UAE Molor Amarsanaa is a graduate student from Mongolia Baya Bensmail is a graduate student from Algeria Lorena Gimenez is a diplomat from Venezuela Zina Ibrahem is a graduate student from Iraq Ahmad Kamal is a Senior Fellow at the United Nations Haig Kuplian is a graduate student from the United States Jose Mendoza-Nasser is a graduate student from Honduras Abdelghani Merabet is a graduate student from Algeria Alice Mungwa is a graduate student from Cameroon Seddiq Rasuli is a graduate student from Afghanistan Fabrizio Trezza is a graduate student from Italy INDEX OF
    [Show full text]
  • Why Didn't China Have a Scientific Revolution Considering Its Early Scientific Accomplishments?
    City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 9-2017 An Examination of the Needham Question: Why Didn't China Have a Scientific Revolution Considering Its Early Scientific Accomplishments? Rebecca L. Olerich The Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2307 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] AN EXAMINATION OF THE NEEDHAM QUESTION: WHY DIDN’T CHINA HAVE A SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION CONSIDERING ITS EARLY SCIENTIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS? BY REBECCA OLERICH A master’s thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Liberal Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts, The City University of New York 2017 © 2017 REBECCA OLERICH All Rights Reserved !ii AN EXAMINATION OF THE NEEDHAM QUESTION: WHY DIDN’T CHINA HAVE A SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION CONSIDERING ITS EARLY SCIENTIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS? BY REBECCA OLERICH This manuscript has been read and accepted for the Graduate Faculty in Liberal Studies in satisfaction of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts. _______________________ ______________________ Date Joseph W. Dauben Thesis Advisor _______________________ ______________________ Date Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis Executive Officer THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK !iii ABSTRACT AN EXAMINATION OF THE NEEDHAM QUESTION: WHY DIDN’T CHINA HAVE A SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION CONSIDERING ITS EARLY SCIENTIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS? BY REBECCA OLERICH Advisor: Joseph W.
    [Show full text]
  • The Movable Type: How It Acted As an Agent of Information in History and Enabled Access to Knowledge
    The Movable Type: How it Acted as an Agent of Information in History and Enabled Access to Knowledge Sean Park and Aichen Qiu Junior Division Group Exhibit Student Composed Words: 499 Process Paper Word Count: 484 Process Paper When the theme of Breaking Barriers for this year’s NHD was announced, we immediately chose our topic as The Movable Type, which originated more than 1,000 years ago. Its development had been widely considered as a significant breakthrough around the world, making it a relevant topic. Within a few weeks of exploring, we quickly realized that the movable type made by East Asians and the further advancement made by Gutenberg broke the barriers of inefficiency of printing and inaccessibility of knowledge. We also liked it because the topic ties to both of our origins, China and Korea. In terms of how we came to the decision of doing an exhibit, first both of us had a strong interest in this presentation format and had experience from last year. Secondly, we felt that the creative and visual side of an exhibit would be more effective to present our research. Lastly and most importantly, the ancient moveable type is a craftsmanship that is better to present in a physical format. Our topic is international. We not only leveraged sources in English but also in other languages, including Chinese and Korean. For efficiency, while we both researched the history in Europe, we were able to divide and conquer when it came to researching Chinese and Korean history. We first started using Britannica or History.com to understand the general context.
    [Show full text]