Undergraduate Course: Modern East Asian History B (ASST08043)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course is a survey of modern Chinese history focussing on the key people, ideas and events which helped shape the country's politics, society and culture into what it is today. |
| Course description |
China is undoubtedly an increasingly significant actor in international politics and the global economy. As such, this course explores China's engagement with modernity, by providing a political, social and cultural history of China from 1600 to the present day and placing it in the general context of East Asia. The course is divided into three main sections:
1. The decline of the Imperial system and the emergence of Republican China,
2. The Mao era, and
3. The Reform era.
Throughout these three sections, the course will introduce some of the most important characteristics of Chinese politics, society and intellectual life, including literature and other art forms. With this in mind, this course will appeal to intending Chinese honours students as well as outside students.
Besides introducing the most relevant academic literature on China, this course utilises some (translated) primary sources in the form of literature, film, and political writings. These serve as the basis for critical analysis and discussion and furthering understanding of not just of China's past but also of contemporary China in its historical context.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 110 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 9,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
163 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Primary source analysis (500 words) (30%)
Essay (2,500 words) (70%)
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| Feedback |
This course provides feedback in several forms:
Written:
Written feedback will be provided for the primary source analysis and the essay.
Oral:
General feedback on understanding of key events, concepts and approaches will be provided by tutors in the tutorials. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically assess China's engagement with modernity.
- Utilise a range of academic literature and primary sources for analysing China's history, society and culture.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key events and ideas in China's history.
- Undertake autonomous research and effectively communicate arguments in written form.
- Research and prepare arguments for discussion and debate in a group setting.
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Reading List
Essential reading:
Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. 3rd ed. London: Norton, 2013. [ISBN: 0393934519]
Recommended reading:
Ebrey, Patricia Buckley, Anne Walthall and James B. Palais. East Asia: A Cultural, Social and Political History. Boston, MA: Houghton and Mifflin, 2009. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Argument and debate, group discussion, academic essay writing, critical thinking, information technology. |
| Special Arrangements |
N/A |
| Study Abroad |
N/A |
| Keywords | AS MEAH B,China,history,modernity,Communism,Reform era,literature,politics,Republican China |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Aaron Moore
Tel: (0131 6)50 4225
Email: aaron.moore@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Anne Budo
Tel: (0131 6)50 4161
Email: a.budo@ed.ac.uk |
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