HIST 493 - The History of Modern China

3 credits

Description
This course will cover the past 350 years of Chinese history, a period that has been dubbed as “modern” by Western historians. Study begins with the establishment of the “barbarian” Qing dynasty in 1644 and ends with the Tian’ anmen Massacre in 1989. Through the lectures, books, videos, and handouts, the course will focus on three distinct periods in the “modern” era of Chinese civilization: the Qing dynasty 1644-1911; the Republic of China 1911-1949; and the People’s Republic of China 1949. Important themes to be stressed in the curriculum are the resilience of “traditional” Chinese culture; the impact of the West (on ideas, politics, economics, and society); and revolution. The objective of this course is to provide students with a general background of the important people, ideologies, and events that have shaped the China of the present and no doubt the future as well.

Note
No previous knowledge of modern China is required. Open to graduate students. Graduate students are required to do additional work of a research nature.

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