Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2019 - HIST 366 D100

Social and Cultural History of Modern China (4)

Class Number: 4987

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 6, 2019
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Jeremy Brown
    jba41@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4379
    Office: AQ 6228

  • 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:

Social and Cultural History of Modern China: The Republican Era, 1911–1935

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 quizes (each worth 10%) 30%
  • Journal 35%
  • Film 25%
  • Reflection essay 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Zhang Henshui, Shanghai Express, 1935. Translated from the Chinese by William A. Lyell, University of Hawai’i Press, 1997. (Paperback available from SFU Bookstore, pdf ebook available from play.google.com/books for $9.99)

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS