Songster/HIST 162/syllabus/S-13
History 162: Modern China
PROFESSOR: E. Elena Songster
COURSE: History 162
LOCATION: Dante 220
TIME: Tu/Th 1:10-2:40 pm
TERM: Spring 2013
OFFICE: Galileo 313
OFFICE HOURS:
Tu/Th 11:10 - 12:10
Or by appointment
OFFICE PHONE: 925-631-6279
E-MAIL: ees4@stmarys-ca.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course begins during the early 20th century with the Qing dynasty engaged in its
final struggles to stay in power and follows the history of Modern China through the
establishment and transformations of its present-day split identity of Communist
China on the mainland and the Republic of China in Taiwan. This period of history
witnessed war, uprising, rebellion, reform, and revolution and traces the history of
China from an unacknowledged, impoverished country to its present status as a
rising economic and political superpower. We will investigate each of these episodes
and how our use of specific terms to describe them affects our perception of history.
You will study this dynamic period through primary and secondary texts, literature,
and film, as well as lecture and discussion. This course also will hone your critical
reading and analytical thinking and writing skills while informing you about how
China became one of the most influential countries in our present day.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
In order to better understand how modern China came to be, this class also offers
students to the opportunity to study History as a discipline at an advanced level.
Students will place major events in a coherent chronological narrative that
demonstrates an understanding of causal relationships between events and the
significance of historical context. Reading critically and evaluating evidence and
arguments, will enable students to analyze and assess the quality and reliability of
sources. Additionally students will construct their own historical arguments through
gathering and interpreting evidence from primary and secondary sources. Students
also have opportunities to present these evidence-based arguments in both written
and oral form as they hone their presentation and writing skills. Discussions will
allow students to develop these skills through shared inquiry into some historically
significant and highly provocative documents from modern China.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Gain a chronologically sound understanding of major events and movements
in modern Chinese history
2. Identify major political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and
intellectual trends of modern Chinese history
3. Examine and articulate multiple interpretations of specific events and
understand the complexity of causation, contingency, convergence, and
agency
4. Learn to collect and use an appropriate array of primary sources as evidence
for historical argumentation
5. Assess the credibility of primary documents and how to interpret them
6. Examine arguments, texts, and other sources within their historical contexts
7. Write persuasive and accurately documented historical essays
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REQUIRED READING:
Schoppa, R. Keith. Revolution and its Past: Identities and Change in Modern Chinese
History, 3rd Edition. New York: Prentice Hall, 2011 [2002]. (Schoppa)
Cohen, Paul A. History in Three Keys: The Boxers as Event, Experience, and Myth.
New York: Columbia University, 1997. (Three Keys)
LAO She. Rickshaw. Honolulu: University of Hawai’I Press, 1979. (Rickshaw)
FENG Jicai. Ten Years of Madness: Oral Histories of China’s Cultural Revolution. San
Francisco: China Books and Periodicals, 1996. (Madness)
CHEN Guidi and WU Chuntao. Will the Boat Sink the Water: The Life of China’s
Peasants. New York, Public Affairs, 2007. (Boat)
GaelLearn (Moodle):
List of Additional Required Readings Found on our Class Moodle Site:
Schiffrin, Harold Z. “Kidnapped in London.” In Sun Yat-sen and the Origins of the
Chinese Revolution, 98-139. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970.
“ZOU Rong, On Revolution.” In The Search for Modern China: A Documentary
Collection, edited by Pei-kai Cheng and Michael Lestz, 197-202. New York: W.
W. Norton & Co., Inc., 1999.
“Tongmeng Hui Revolutionary Proclamation, 1907” In The Search for Modern China:
A Documentary Collection, edited by Pei-kai Cheng and Michael Lestz, 202206. New York: W. W. Norton & Co., Inc., 1999.
SUN Yat-sen, “Three Principles of the People.”
“The Last Emperor’s Abdication Edict.” In Sources in Chinese History: Diverse
Perspectives from 1644 to the Present, edited by David G. Atwill and Yurong Y.
Atwill, 152-153. London: Prentice Hall, 2010.
“HU Shih and Pragmatism in China.” In China’s Response to the West: A
Documentary Survey, 1839-1923, edited by Ssu-yü Teng and John K.
Fairbank, 251-258. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1979 [1954].
“LU Xun’s Call to Arms.” In Sources in Chinese History: Diverse Perspectives
from 1644 to the Present, edited by David G. Atwill and Yurong Y. Atwill, 166169. London: Prentice Hall, 2010. “Early Converts to Marxism” Teng &
Fairbank
LU Xun, “Diary of a Madman.” In Diary of a Madman and Other Stories,
translated by William A. Lyell, 29-41.Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press,
1990.
LU Xun, “Medicine.” In Diary of a Madman and Other Stories, translated by William A.
Lyell, 29-41.Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1990.
“Early Converts to Marxism.” In China’s Response to the West: A Documentary
Survey, 1839-1923, edited by Ssu-yü Teng and John K. Fairbank, 239-250.
Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1979 [1954].
MAO Tse-tung, “Report on an Investigation on the Peasant Movement in Hunan.” In
Selected Readings from the Works of Mao Tsetung, 23-39. Beijing: Foreign
Languages Press, 1971.
Jones, Andrew F. “Listening to the Chinese Jazz Age,” and “The Gramophone in
China.” In Yellow Music: Media Culture and Colonial Modernity in The Chinese
Jazz Age, 1-20 and 53-72. Durham: Duke University Press, 2001.
Pepper, Suzanne. “Introduction” and “The Beginning of the End.” In Civil War in
China: The Political Struggle: 1945-1949, 3-6 and 7-41. Berkeley: University
of California Press, 1978.
“Taiwan and the GMD’s Road to Defeat (1945-1949).” In Sources in Chinese History:
Diverse Perspectives from 1644 to the Present, edited by David G. Atwill and
Yurong Y. Atwill, 238-245. London: Prentice Hall, 2010.
MAO Tse-tung, “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions among the People.” In
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Selected Readings from the Works of Mao Tsetung, 432-479. Beijing: Foreign
Languages Press, 1971.
“DING Ling’s Thoughts on March 8, Women’s Day (1942).” In Sources in Chinese
History: Diverse Perspectives from 1644 to the Present, edited by David G.
Atwill and Yurong Y. Atwill, 233-236. London: Prentice Hall, 2010.
“The Marriage Law.” In Sources in Chinese History: Diverse Perspectives from 1644
to the Present, edited by David G. Atwill and Yurong Y. Atwill, 260-262.
London: Prentice Hall, 2010.
“Birth Control and Planned Families.” In Sources in Chinese History: Diverse
Perspectives from 1644 to the Present, edited by David G. Atwill and Yurong Y.
Atwill, 263-264. London: Prentice Hall, 2010.
Copper, John, “History.” In Taiwan: Nation-State or Province?, 5th Edition, 29-65.
Boulder: Westview Press, 2009.
News Articles on the panda gift controversy. Read ALL three articles.
I have set up a file on our class GaelLearn site titled “Readings” which contains all of
the items listed.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Rampolla, Mary Lynn. A Pocket Guide to writing in History. Boston: Bedford/St.
Martin’s, 2007 [1997].
(This is a quick guide to writing and citation. I particularly recommend this for
History Majors or anyone taking several History classes.)
MOODLE: I will be using MOODLE to post your additional required readings, make
announcements, post documents, accept assignments, etc. This will offer you a
tremendous amount of enhanced convenience and enable you access to additional
resources.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FINDING AND ACCESSING YOUR READINGS:
Note: I have put most of these books on reserve in the SMC Library in “Traditional
Reserves”. An exception to this is the CHEN Guidi book, Will the Boat Sink the Water,
which is an E-Book. It will therefore be on E-Res, not in the traditional reserves with
the other books. Of course you can also buy or possibly rent them at the campus
bookstore or purchase them on-line through various vendors.
To find books on reserve and readings in Electronic Reserves on the SMC Library
website:
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Go to the Library's homepage at http://library.stmarys-ca.edu
Click on the RESERVES
Choose from the drop-down menu for a search category, either COURSE
TITLE (type: HIST 162 or Modern China) or INSTRUCTOR (type: Songster).
A dialogue box will appear. Type in the password: HIST162 (No Spaces)
Click “Accept”.
A separate box should pop up that lists “Materials at the Library.”
IF you are looking for one of the BOOKS on reserve refer to this list.
*Please note that most items are available for two-hour check out—no
overnight. Be sure you understand the reserve policy and the time-limit for
each item you check out.
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For “Additional Required Readings” Go to the Moodle site for our class and look for
the box titled “Readings”. The Additional Required Readings are posted here in the
order that they are due.
Attendance, Participation, and Small Written Assignments:
Attendance is mandatory for success in this class. A large percentage of the
information you are expected to master will be coming from lecture and discussions.
It is your responsibility to come to class. If you miss opportunities for points earned
on in-class assignments or quizzes due to absence, they are gone. Make-ups are not
possible except at my discretion for absences that I have personally excused and for
which you have written documentation.
Your class participation will be graded. Participation is based on your general
engagement in the class and with the material (i.e. reading), our in-class discussions,
and your completion of assignments. There are several short assignments that are
unscheduled and will be assigned intermittently throughout the semester. Be
punctual and prepared to thoughtfully and actively participate. Conducting oneself in
a respectful and professional manner is expected of all in the classroom. In this spirit,
TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES BEFORE CLASS. Laptops are acceptable IF AND
ONLY IF they are being used EXCLUSIVELY to take notes, otherwise they are a
distraction and do not belong in the classroom.
Papers, Exams, and Quizzes:
Papers
There are 2 short papers. The first will focus on a primary source excerpt about a
first-hand experience of an historical event (4 pages), the second will analyze
multiple primary documents (7 pages). The first paper will be based solely on
assigned readings. The second paper will require that you incorporate some outside
material. In addition to these two papers, you will have some pre-paper
assignments and short response write-ups due. I will give you prompts and more
details about the paper assignments closer to each due date.
Plagiarism, or using other people’s words or ideas without properly acknowledging
them, is not tolerated. Know what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Refer to the
section in the SMC Student Handbook that addresses “Forms of violations of the
Academic Honor Code” and understand procedures for dealing with academic
dishonesty and other forms of academic misconduct. The consequences can range
from a grade of F on an assignment to expulsion from the college. If you have any
questions about what constitutes plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct,
come see me during office hours.
Exams
You will have two exams: a Midterm and a Final. They will be essay-based exams
with short answers and some supplementary components, which may include map
questions, chronology questions, or the like. Bring bluebooks and several writing
utensils to all exams. Check the Course Schedule for dates.
Quizzes
There are 3 scheduled quizzes and two pop quizzes on readings. These will be very
straight forward, designed simply to motivate you to keep up with the reading. You
will also have a short map quiz early in the semester. Be on time; there are no
make-up quizzes unless previously authorized by me with written documentation.
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Assessment:
Paper I
Midterm Exam
Paper II
Final Exam
Class Participation
Small Written Assignments
Quizzes
Total
35 pts.
50 pts.
75 pts.
100 pts.
35 pts.
25 pts.
30 pts.
350 pts.
Tue., March 5
Tue., March 19
Tue., April 23
Thu., May 23
Throughout Semester
Throughout Semester
Throughout Semester
Your grade will be based on a straight scale, for example: 80-89% is in the B range.
Special Circumstances and Disabilities: Student Disability Services extends
reasonable and appropriate accommodations that take into account the context of
the course and its essential elements for individuals with qualifying disabilities.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Student Disability Services
Office at (925) 631-4358 to set up a confidential appointment to discuss
accommodation, policies, guidelines and available services. Additional information
regarding the services available may be found at the following address on the Saint
Mary’s website: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-advising-andachievement/student-disability-services.html
SCHEDULE
WEEK 1: WHAT IS MODERN CHINA?
Tu 2/12: Introduction to the course
Reading: No reading expected for the first day.
Th 2/14: Background to the Late Imperial Period
Reading: Schoppa, Ch.6;
Cohen, Three Keys, “Prologue” (3-13).
WEEK 2: LAST-DITCH EFFORTS TO SAVE THE DYNASTY
Tu 2/19: The Boxer Uprising
Reading: Cohen, Three Keys, Ch.1-3 (14-118).
Th 2/21: The New Policies (AKA The Qing Reforms); Quiz (1) on Cohen
Reading: Cohen, Three Keys, Part II (119-208).
WEEK 3: THE REVOLUTION OF 1911
Tu 2/26: Sun Yat-sen and other Discontents
Reading: Schoppa, Ch.7;
MOODLE: Schiffrin, “Kidnapped in London”.
Th 2/28: The Revolution that Toppled the Dynastic System;
Reading: MOODLE: “ZOU Rong on Revolution”; “Tongmeng Hui Revolutionary
Proclamation”; “The Last Emperor’s Abdication Edict”; SUN Yat-sen, “Three
Principles of the People”.
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WEEK 4: THE NEW REPUBLIC
Tu 3/5: Paper 1 DUE
The Promises of Yuan Shikai
Reading: Schoppa, Ch.8;
MOODLE: “HU Shih and Pragmatism”; LU Xun, “Call to Arms”.
Th 3/7: May 4th and the New Culture Movement
Reading: Schoppa, Ch.9;
MOODLE: LU Xun, “Diary of a Madman”; LU Xun, “Medicine”.
WEEK 5: ALTERNATIVE FUTURES FOR CHINA
Tu 3/12: The Birth of Chinese Communism;
Quiz (2) on “Early Converts” & “Report on an Investigation”
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 10;
MOODLE: “Early Converts to Marxism”; Mao, “Report on an Investigation”.
Th 3/14: The Nanjing Decade
Reading: Schoppa, Ch.11;
MOODLE: Jones, “Listening to the Chinese Jazz Age”; Jones, “The
Gramophone in China”.
WEEK 6: THE COMMUNIST CAMP
Tu 3/19: MIDTERM EXAM
Reading: No Reading, Study for Your Exam!
Tu 3/21: The Struggle for Survival
Reading: Schoppa, Ch.12;
LAO She, Rickshaw: Intro-Ch. 7 (vii-67).
SPRING BREAK WEEK:
Tu 3/26:
Spring Break: Class does not meet
Th 3/28:
Spring Break: Class does not meet
WEEK 7: THE PACIFIC WAR
Tu 4/2: Japanese Invasion and the 2nd United Front
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 13;
LAO She, Rickshaw, Ch. 18-24 (173-249).
Th 4/4: The War of Resistance Against Japan; Quiz (3) on Rickshaw
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 14
WEEK 8: THE CIVIL WAR
Tu 4/9: Divisive Post-War Peace
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 15;
MOODLE: Pepper, “Introduction,” and “The Beginning of the End,” (3-41).
Th 4/11:
Reading:
Against All Odds
MOODLE: “Taiwan and the GMD’s Road to Defeat”.
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WEEK 9: COMMUNIST CHINA, THE EARLY YEARS
Tu 4/16: Building a Socialist State
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 16;
MOODLE: MAO Tse-tung, “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions
Among the People”.
Th 4/18: Holding up Half the Sky—Women in Communist China
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 17;
MOODLE: “The Marriage Law,” “Birth Control and Planned Families” (260264); DING Ling: “Thoughts on March 8”.
WEEK 10: THE GREAT PROLETARIAN CULTURAL REVOLUTION
Tu 4/23: Mao, The Party, and Revolution; Paper 2 DUE
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 18; FENG, Madness: (1-15).
Th 4/25: Being Part of the Cultural Revolution—The Experience
Reading: FENG, Madness: (17-47; 227-249).
WEEK 11: REFORMING CHINA
Tu 4/30: The Rise of Deng Xiaoping and a New Outlook
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 19;
CHEN & WU, Boat:Ch. 1 (1-26).
Th 5/2:
Reading:
Is Economic Reform Political Reform?
CHEN & WU, Boat: Ch. 2 (27-62).
WEEK 12: DASHED HOPES
Tu 5/7:
The Tiananmen Massacre
Reading: Schoppa, Ch. 20;
CHEN & WU, Boat: Ch. 3-4 (63-130).
Th 5/9:
Reading:
Cross-Strait Tensions and Taiwan Identity
Schoppa, Ch. 21
Moodle: Copper, “History” (29-65)
WEEK 13: TAIWAN AND CHINA TODAY
Tu 5/14: Cross-Strait Tensions and Taiwan Identity
Reading: Schoppa Epilogue;
Moodle: News Articles on Panda Diplomacy (Read ALL 3).
Th 5/16:
Reading:
China Today: A Miracle or a Catastrophe?
CHEN & WU, Boat: Ch. 5 & 6 (131-220)
FINAL EXAM: THURSDAY, 5/23, 11:30-1:30 pm
HELD IN REGULAR CLASSROOM. Bring Blue Books and writing utensils.
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