72403 - History of China (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have a basic knowledge of the main cultural and historical issues concerning China and its area of influence. They will apply the main techniques for interpreting complex cultural phenomena whether in the specific geo-historical context or through interaction with other cultural worlds. They will be able to place political, religious and cultural phenomena in historical context, critically examining the interconnections (including comparison with other cultural areas), and use specific cases to illustrate the multicultural dimension. They will know how to listen, understand and debate respectfully with different cultures and viewpoints, spotting tie-ups among the different disciplines involved in interpreting cultural and historical phenomena. They will be able to speak and write effectively, referring to the relative bibliography.

Course contents

The course will cover the following topics:

1. Early China: from prehistory to the Warring States period
   
2. The early empire: Qin and Han dynasties
   
3. The early medieval period (2nd century- 6th cent.)
   
4. The Sui-Tang empires and Central Asia
   
5. Early modern China: Northern Song and Kitan-Liao, Southern Song and Jurchen-Jin
   
6. The Mongol empire
   
7. The Ming dynasty

Readings/Bibliography

Required text:

• Buckley Ebrey, Patricia. The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. 2nd ed. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010, pp. 1-60 [library: SINOL. 01896]

• Leese-Messing, Kathrin. “The Qin and Han Empires,” in Handbook of Afro-Eurasian Economies (De Gruyter, 2020), pp. 129-194. [OPEN ACCESS]

• Xiong, Cunrui Victor, and Hammond, Kenneth J. (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Imperial Chinese History. Routledge, 2019, p. 56-285. [library: SINOL. 02251]
  

 

The study of the text should be supplemented with the course materials available on the Virtuale platform. 

 

Additional readings will be discussed in class.

 

The program is valid both for attending and non-attending students and applies to all 2024/25 a.y. exams.

 

 

Teaching methods

Lectures

 

 

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written test divided into two parts. The first part contains short-answer questions concerning key figures and concepts; names of the most important ruling houses, capitals, dynastic reign dates; reign eras; and geomorphological elements. The second part consists of two open-ended questions, where students will be required to discuss key aspects of Chinese imperial and pre-imperial history in a diachronic or synchronic perspective.

 

The evaluation will be based on: 1) Mastery of the content; 2) Ability to synthesize and analyze themes and key concepts; 3) Ability to express ideas clearly, and the use of language appropriate to the subject matter

Achieving an in-depth and critical understanding of the course topics, accompanied by a strong command of expression and specific terminology, will result in excellent grades. A primarily memorized knowledge of the subject and an ability to synthesize and analyze themes using correct but not always precise language will lead to good evaluations. Gaps in preparation and/or inappropriate language – even if there is a minimal understanding of the exam material – will result in grades that do not exceed a pass. Significant gaps in knowledge, inadequate language, and an inability to navigate the course materials will be evaluated negatively.

 

During the academic year, exam sessions are usually scheduled in the following months/periods:

• January and February
• June and July
• September and October

For a total of at least six exam sessions per year.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint Presentations.

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students.

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Roncati