Fall 2003

ANS 340K • Traditional China-W

Course Description

This course offers a cultural history of traditional China from some of the earliest historical records (about 1200 B.C.) up through the late imperial period (about 1800 A.D.). We will cover the major historical events, developments, and trends- social, political, economic, military, philosophical, literary, and cultural. The main focus of thecourse will be on primary sources. We will read (in translation) the most important writings from the Chinese tradition. These include Shang dynasty orcle bone inscriptions (used for divination), early Chinese philosophy (including Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism), dynastic histories, historical biographies, novelsm satires, poetry, songs, ritual manuals, diaries, scientific treatises, philological studies, and political debates. We will take an interdisciplinary approach, integrating history with literary, philosophical, and sociological approaches in order to better undestand these texts in their context. Substantial writing component.

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