HIST 282-01, Traditional China, Fall 2009

Abstract

Although the subject for the course is Traditional China, the main point of the course is not to know everything about Chinese history, which would be impossible in any case, but to offer a general chronological narrative from the textbook and lectures while providing additional depth by focusing on a limited number of important events and major themes. This is achieved through critical analysis of primary sources and discussion of specialized readings. Through this method and not lecture alone, it is expected that students will not only gain factual knowledge related to Chinese history but also come to appreciate both the uniqueness of Chinese culture and the universality of the human experience.