Fabric of Empire: How Silk Defined China

• Week 1: Silk as the foundation of empire
  China has produced silk textiles for more than 5,500 years. We will consider both archaeology and mythology as we explore the earliest visual representations of sericulture (silk-farming) and the sophisticated textiles that were produced. From very early times, silk enriched the country’s treasury and stimulated economic activity throughout society.
• Week 2: Silk’s role in politics
  Silk had huge economic and political importance. It functioned as currency, and supported internal power structures and external relations. Highly coveted by foreigners, silk served as an instrument in diplomatic negotiation and propaganda. Through the international silk trade, China received valuable products, foreign ideas and influences.
• Week 3: Silk as a cultural and status marker
  Historically, silk was synonymous with China across Asia and Europe; internally, it signified the elite as a restricted material and literal identifier. China’s rulers sent silk robes to leaders of tribute states, advertising their relationship through clothing. Silk was the support for paintings and comprised textile art produced for the court.
• Week 4: Silk in religion and ritual
  As the most prestigious of fabrics, silk played a central role in religion as ritual raiment, temple decoration, religious banners and sutra wrappings. A character interpreted as a silk spirit appears on Shang dynasty oracle bones (c. 1600 BCE), and sericulture ceremonies date from about 1100 BCE.
• Week 5: Silk textiles at the UBC Museum of Anthropology
  We will meet at the UBC Museum of Anthropology for a special viewing of selected examples of Chinese and Tibetan robes, opera costumes and domestic and court textiles preserved in the museum’s collection.
• Week 6: Silk in literature and art
  We will review how, figuratively and literally, silk carried patterns and narratives throughout Chinese history. Descriptions and metaphors that reference silk abound in poetry and literature, and depictions of silk clothing, fabrics and images of its production were likewise popular in visual art.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Recount the legend of the discovery of silk in China
• Outline the basic stages of traditional silk production
• Give examples of how silk was utilized as an art form in China
• Discuss how silk supported China’s diplomatic efforts
• Describe how historic silk production infiltrated every aspect of China’s economy

• Lectures
• Participation in discussions
  
• Supplementary resources accessed through Canvas
  
• Examining textiles in class and viewing examples at the UBC Museum of Anthropology
• Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)

No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.