The Making of Modern China

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

HISTORY 380C

(Section 001)

2013-2014

THE MAKING OF MODERN CHINA:

NATIONALISM, WAR, REVOLUTION

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00 – 11:50 am

Location:Buchanan B210 (Term 1)

Mathematics 204 (Term 2)

Office BUTO 1120 Tel. 822-5177

E-mail:

Office hour: Monday2:30 – 3:30 pm or by appointment

No appointments are necessary during office hours. Please drop in.

Introduction

This course looks at modern Chinese history from the late imperial period (circa 1800) to the present. It is an introductory course open to all students; no previous knowledge of Chinese history is assumed or expected.Course format will consist of lectures and classroom discussions.

Upon completion of History 380, you will:

1. Understand and be able to explain the major trajectories of China’s political, economic and cultural history since around1800;
2. Be informed about the various debates and controversies concerning the history of modern China;
3. Have your own points of view regarding these debates and controversies; and
4. Be experienced in the skills of critical thinking and historical analysis.

Required Textbook:

Jonathan D. Spence, The Search for Modern China (Third Edition, revised 2013)

Coursework and Evaluation:

Requirements for credit in HIST 380 include regular attendance, completion of written coursework and completion of all examinations. Evaluation is based upon class attendance, tests, written assignments and final examination.

Fall mid-term10 %

Fall term research assignment25%

Spring term test10 %

Spring term Research Assignment30 %

Final Examination (covers entire course)25 %

NOTE: Course assignments are outlined below. Detailed instructions and guidelines will be distributed in class and posted to the course website.

1. Fall Mid-Term Examination

The test will be based upon class lectures and readings from the Spence textbook. Format: short essay.DATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16

2. Fall Term Research Assignment

A research essay selected from the list of topics circulated in class. The essay will be based upon a combination of secondary and primary sources. Length: 12-15 pages including notes and bibliography (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1inch margins). DUE: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22 in class.

3. Spring Mid-Term Examination

The test will be based upon Spring Term class lectures and Spring Term readings from the Spence textbook. Format: short answer and short essay.DATE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24

4. Spring Term Research Assignment

Either: a) a research essay selected from the list of topics circulated in class or b) an analysis of Chinese or Western media portrayals of a significant event in modern Chinese history covered by this course. A list of suggested historical events will be distributed in advance. Length: 10-12 pages including notes and bibliography (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1inch margins). DUE: MONDAY, MARCH 31 in class.

5. Final Examination

To be scheduled by the university Registrar. Covers the entire course, with

emphasis on the Spring Term. Study materials: Spence textbook, class lectures.

6. Attendance and participation

The principal requirement of this course is that you be an active and responsible participant. Regular attendance is expected.In addition, from time to time supplementary readings may be assigned in advance for purposes of class discussion.

On these occasions you are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings.

NOTE:The UBC calendar states the following: Regular attendance is expected of students in all their classes (including lectures, laboratories, tutorials, seminars, etc.).Students who neglect their academic work and assignments may be excluded from the final examination. Students who are unavoidably absent because of illness or disability should report to their instructors on return to classes.

Grading Practices and Standards:

The following guidelines offer a broad characterization of the type of academic work that may be associated with a range of grades. These guidelines represent the standards that will be used in this course.

80% to 100% (A- to A+)

Exceptional performance: strong evidence of original thinking; good organization; capacity to analyze and synthesize; superior grasp of subject matter with sound critical evaluations; evidence of extensive knowledge base.

68% to 79% (B- to B+)

Competent performance: evidence of grasp of subject matter; some evidence of critical capacity and analytical ability; reasonable understanding of relevant issues; evidence of familiarity with the literature.

50% 5o 67% (D to C+)

Adequate performance: understanding of the subject matter; ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material; acceptable but uninspired work, not seriously faulty but lacking style and vigour.

00% to 49% (F)

Inadequate performance: little or no evidence of understanding of the subject matter; weakness in critical and analytical skills; limited or irrelevant use of the literature.

NOTE: Students should be advised that university-level grading systems involve very high standards. A typical “B” term paper, for example, is logically argued, rationally organized, properly documented, and contains few spelling or grammatical errors. Higher grades are reserved for those who show extensive knowledge of the literature, develop compelling arguments, and demonstrate original thought.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Academic integrity is essential to the continued functioning of the University of British Columbia as an institution of higher learning and research. Students at UBC, as members of an academic community dedicated to excellence in scholarship, must meet the highest standards of personal, ethical and moral conduct. Commitment to these standards is essential in helping the University meet its obligations to discover knowledge, enhance understanding and encourage creativity.

It is through the commitment of its faculty, staff and students to these principles and standards, that UBC fosters a high respect for our graduates, our scholarship and our integrity. Members of the University community who fail to live up to these expectations may be disciplined. The University’s principles and procedures on academic misconduct are available in the UBC Calendar.

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

A student will only receive academic credit for work that is the product of the student’s own effort and insight. It is the student’s obligation to inform himself or herself of the applicable standards for academic honesty. Students must be aware that standards at The University of British Columbia may be different from those in secondary schools or at other institutions. Penalties will be imposed in instances where it is clear that students are submitting work as their own that has been done, in whole or in part, by others. No such penalties would apply in clearly defined situations where collaborative work is authorized. A student who is in any doubt regarding standards of academic honesty in a course or assignment should consult his

or her instructor before submitting any work.

Academic misconduct that is subject to disciplinary measures includes, but is not limited to, engaging in, attempting to engage in, or assisting others to engage in the following:

1. Plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs where an individual submits or presents the oral or written work of another person as his or her own. Scholarship quite properly rests upon examining and referring to the thoughts and writings of others. However, when another person’s words or ideas are used, the author must be acknowledged in the text, in footnotes, in endnotes, or in another accepted form of academic citation. Where direct quotations are made, they must be clearly delineated (for example, within quotation marks or separately indented). Plagiarism encompasses situations in which there is no recognition given to the author for phrases, sentences, or ideas of the author incorporated in a work to situations in which an entire work is copied from an author, or composed by another person, and presented as original work. Plagiarism should not occur in submitted drafts or final works. A student who seeks assistance from a tutor or other scholastic aids must ensure that the work submitted is the student’s own. Students are responsible for ensuring that any work submitted does not constitute plagiarism. Students who are in any doubt as to what constitutes plagiarism should consult their instructor before handing in any assignments.

2. Cheating: Cheating includes, but is not limited to: falsifying any material subject to academic evaluation, including research data; engaging in unauthorized collaborative work; having in an examination any materials other than those permitted by the examiner; and using unauthorized means to complete an examination (e.g. receiving unauthorized assistance from a fellow student).

3. Submitting the same, or substantially the same, essay, presentation, or assignment more than once (whether the earlier submission was at this or another institution) unless prior approval has been obtained from the instructor(s) to whom the assignment is to be submitted.

4. Impersonating a candidate at an examination or other evaluation, or availing oneself of the results of an impersonation.

5. Submitting false records or information, orally or in writing, or failing to provide relevant information when requested.

6. Falsifying or submitting false documents, transcripts, or other academic credentials.

7. Failing to comply with any disciplinary measure imposed for academic misconduct.

NOTE:

Instructors are required to report all instances of academic misconduct to the Dean’s Office. The penalty for plagiarism or for cheating may involve suspension from the University for a term of twelve months or more and a notation on the student’s transcript.

RESOURCES

UBC Plagiarism Resource Centre

UBC Policy #85: Scholarly Integrity

The Faculty of Arts provides guidance on academic integrity available online at

and follow the links

LATE POLICY

Assignments must be submitted by the due dates listed above. Late papers are penalized at the rate of 5 percent per day.

EMAIL POLICY

I can be reached via email (see above). I will endeavour to respond to your query within 24-48 hours (Monday-Friday). Please be aware that if you wish to discuss matters such as your grade in a particular assignment or if you experiencing difficulty with any aspect of the coursework, this can only be done on a face to face basis. Please feel free to drop by during my office hours or contact me to schedule an alternative time.

FALL TERM CLASS SCHEDULE:

WEEK1Read: Spence, pp. xxv-xxviii, 3-47

Weds. Sept. 4 Course overview

Fri. Sept.6Introduction to Chinese History

WEEK 2Read: Spence, pp. 48-130

Mon. Sept.9The Dynastic cycle

Weds. Sept.11 The Confucian tradition

Fri. Sept.13 Confucianism and Chinese society

WEEK 3

Mon. Sept.16The political system of imperial China

Weds. Sept.18No class; Truth and Reconciliation Events

Fri. Sept. 20 The Qing Imperium: A multiethnic empire

WEEK 4  Read: Spence, pp. 135-163

Mon. Sept.23 ‘Scratches on our minds: changing western views of China

Weds. Sept.25Early contacts: trade, travel, religion

Fri. Sept. 27Sino-foreign relations on the eve of the modern era

WEEK 5No reading: begin to prepare fall term research assignment;review lecture notes and text for mid-term

exam

Mon. Sept.30The ‘tributary system’ in theory and practice

Weds. Oct.2 Opening the door to western trade

Fri. Oct.4 Opium and empire

WEEK 6

Mon. Oct.7No class; Thanksgiving

Weds. Oct.9 The First Opium War (1839-42)

Fri. Oct.11The ‘unequal treaty system’

WEEK 7

Mon. Oct.14The Opium War through Chinese eyes

Weds. Oct.16Mid-term examination

Fri. Oct. 18The Second Opium War, 1858-60

WEEK 8 Read: Spence, pp. 164-201

Mon. Oct.211860: A turning point

Weds. Oct.23The Tongzhi Restoration

Fri. Oct.25Self-strengthening and the ‘foreign affairs’ movement

WEEK 9

Mon. Oct. 28Christian missionaries in China

Weds. Oct.30The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and its Christian background Halloween (scary)

Fri. Nov.1The Taipings (continued)

WEEK 10 Read: Spence, pp. 202-221

Mon. Nov.4Foreign economic influence in China: friend or foe?

Weds. Nov.6Treaty port society and culture

Fri. Nov.11Imperialism and culture: “knowing” China

WEEK 11No reading: work on research assignment

Mon. Nov.11No class; Remembrance Day

Weds. Nov.13Japan’s encroachment on China

Fri. Nov. 15 Sino-Japanese War (1894)

WEEK 12No reading: work on research assignment

Mon. Nov.18The Hundred Days Reform (1898)

Weds. Nov.20Voices from below: the Boxer Uprising

Fri. Nov.22The Boxer Crisis and Sino-foreign relations

RESEARCH PAPER DUE, IN CLASS

WEEK 13 Read: Spence, pp. 222-233

Mon. Nov.25republicans versus monarchists

Weds. Nov.27Sun Yatsen and modern Chinese nationalism

Fri. Nov.29End of term review