| The University of Akron
World Civilizations: China Summer 2001 |
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COURSE OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this course are: (1) to become familiar with China’s history and cultural traditions, (2) to examine the Chinese response to the forces of consolidation and dissolution constantly at work there, (3) to study one of the great revolutionary movements of the 20th century, its impact and consequences for China’s people, and (4) to develop an understanding of China’s aspirations and role in the modern world. These objectives reflect the content of the course and are meant to give substance to a final goal: (5) to assist students in developing those analytical skills which will enable them to effectively communicate their knowledge of China’s civilization both orally and in writing.
Required Books: Moise, Edwin E. Modern China, The Present and the Past. New York:Longman, 1994. Buck, Pearl S. The Good Earth, New York: Pocket Books, 1958. Liang Heng and Shapiro Judith Son of the Revolution, New York: Vintage Books, 1983. Some students may wish to substitute Chang Jung’s Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China, New York: Anchor Books, 1991, for Son of the Revolution.
GRADING AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The following grade scale will be used
| A =
93-100 %
A- = 90-92 % B+ = 87-89 % B = 83-86 % B- = 80-82 % C+ = 77-79 % C- = 70-72 % C = 73-76 % D+ = 67-69% D = 63-66% D- = 60-62% F = Below 60 % |
 |
Grades for the course will be computed as follows:
1st Exam = 25%
of total grade
Quizzes and Class Participation =25% of total
Final Exam = 25% of total grade
grade.
Book Reviews (2) = 25 % of total grade
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Students are expected to attend classes on a
regular basis and to arrive on time. If they incur three or more
unexcused absences and/or frequently arrive late, the instructor will lower
the final grade by one full letter. Class participation does not mean attendance.
It means not only asking questions and being prepared for class, but also
posing questions based on information gained from other sources such as
newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, television, or netsurfing.
PLAGIARISM- CHEATING ON EXAMS:
Such misconduct will be reported to the head
of the department and vigorously prosecuted.
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Part I Traditional China
Week 1 Read pp. 1-5, Chapt. 1 pp. 7-29 in Modern
China and begin the novel The
Good Earth.
Lecture and Discussion - The Chinese Language,
Physical Setting, Early History, and Religion and Philosophy.
Week 2 Read Chapt. 2 pp. 30-51 in Modern
China and finish the novel The
Good Earth
Lecture and Discussion - The Scholar Gentry and the Confucian Bureaucracy,
Collapse of the Old Order, and Nationalism, Revolution, and the
Republican Era. Review of The Good Earth due on
Thursday.
Week 3 Read Chapts. 3-6 pp. 52-136 in
Modern
China, and begin either Son of the Revolution or Wild Swans.
Lecture and Discussion - The Rise of Chinese
Communism, The Guomindang (Kuomintang), The Jiangxi Soviet, World War ll,
The Civil War, and The Establishment of The People's Republic of China.
Midterm Exam.
Week 4 Read Chapts. 7-9 pp. 137-212 in
Modern
China, and finish either Son of the Revolution or
Wild Swans.
Review of either Son of the Revolution or
Wild Swans due
on Thursday.
Lecture and Discussion - The Great Leap Forward,
Maoism, The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, and the Deng Xiaoping
Reforms.
Week 5 Read Chapt. 10 pp. 213-237 in
Modern
China.
Lecture and Discussion - The Student Democracy
Movement, The Tiananmen Square Massacre, and some Final Thoughts.
Final
Exam.