HUAS95003 - Science and Politics in China, 1850-2000

Course Description

This course introduces students to major issues in science and politics in modern and contemporary China. Students will have an opportunity to identify key issues in modern Chinese discourse and major debates about China’s existing situation and trajectories. This course will begin with explorations in the Self-Strengthening Movement, and the First Sino-Japanese War, before consideration of why Qing rulers and their ministers were unable to deal with the internal and external challenges of the middle and late nineteenth century. We will turn to the political, intellectual, and scientific revolutions of the twentieth century. We will then focus on early attempts by the Maoist Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at re-organizing life to face domestic problems and the demands of the modern world. Consideration of how the shortcomings of Mao’s early projects led to the reforms of the 1980s and 1990s will precede our concluding examination of how China is grappling with many issues today.

Course Outline

Course Syllabus

Notes

Online registration deadline: Thurs, Jun 8, 5PM CT