Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - HIST 254 D100

China to 1800 (3)

Class Number: 5790

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course offers a broad survey of the history of China from antiquity to the eve of its modern transformations at the turn of the nineteenth century. It aims to challenge the perception of an unchanging China and to encourage students to develop a critical understanding of the forces integrating and dividing this geo-cultural unit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is an introductory course aiming to equip students with an understanding of China’s history from antiquity to 1800 ADE. It explores a set of important and interrelated aspects in pre-modern Chinese history, including politics, society, culture, economy, and religion. It emphasizes the continuity of China’s development and growth. It also goes beyond the limitations of traditional historiography by exploring the forces beyond the country’s borders that have transformed its history.

By the end of the course, students are expected to acquire a fundamental yet comprehensive knowledge of premodern Chinese history.

Grading

  • Tutorial attendance and participation 23%
  • Three short essays, (two essays of approximately 900 words, each worth 20%; one essay of approximately 1,200-1,500 words, worth 25%) 65%
  • Four brief writing exercises (no longer than a paragraph), to be submitted during lecture 12%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Valerie Hansen, The Open Empire: A History of China to 1800, Second Edition, 2015. (W. W. Norton & Company, 2000).

Other readings are available on Canvas or can be accessed online via SFU library website.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.