Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - HIST 366 D100

Social and Cultural History of Modern China (4)

Class Number: 1926

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Jun 19, 2026: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    May 11 – Jun 19, 2026: Fri, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units, including six units of lower division history. HIST 255 is recommended.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the social and cultural problems in modern Chinese history, with special emphasis on popular and elite cultures in the late Qing, Republican, and socialist eras.

COURSE DETAILS:

This class will explore how the momentous changes of the first part of China’s Republican era (1911–1935) affected everyday life and culture. After beginning the term with an introduction to the major ideas, personalities, and conflicts of the period, we will use film and literature as windows on such themes as family, the rural-urban divide, tradition, nationalism, revolution, and war.

For your final project you will work in a group to create an original short film that engages with the ideas and themes explored in the course. By the end of the term you should be able to: (1) identify major themes and events in China’s Republican period and link them to changes in everyday life and culture; (2) critically evaluate films and literature as historical sources; (3) form a historical argument by completing a project that draws on primary and secondary sources.

Grading

  • Three quizzes (each worth 8%) 24%
  • Journal (seven short written responses to films viewed in class, each worth 5% 35%
  • Film 26%
  • Reflection Essay 15%

NOTES:

This course counts towards a Group 1: Africa, Asia, Middle East requirement for History majors.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Zhang Henshui, Shanghai Express, 1935. Translated from the Chinese by William A. Lyell, University of Hawai’i Press, 1997.

Other readings will be available on Canvas.

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.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Learn more about studing History at SFU:

History areas of study


Why study History?

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.