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Chinese History in a Global Context I

Vak
2019-2020

Admission requirements

Basic introduction to Chinese history (BA 1 Chinese Geschiedenis tot 1911 or equivalent).

Description

This BA2 seminar focuses on the history of the Silk Roads both as a concept in historical analysis, and in modern and contemporary geopolitics and cultural imaginations. We will investigate the meanings of the term, and critically examine the history of material goods (silks), infrastructure (travel routes and facilities over land and water), the flow of goods (contracts and transactions), and cultural brokers and multilingualism (traders, monks, and diplomats). In this seminar students will be developing a short historical research project focused on the mobility (or lack thereof) of particular objects, texts, or people in the broader region of Central, South, and East Asia.

Course objectives

In this course you will
*learn to develop an informed view on an important concept in history and contemporary politics: the Silk Roads
*be introduced to some of the basics of historical theory and methodology with a particular focus on the importance of place in historical analysis
*question, situate and interpret original texts, images, and objects in the context of contemporary historical research
*learn how to design and develop a short critical historical research project step by step

Timetable

Timetable BA Chinastudies 2nd semester 2019-2020

Mode of instruction

  • Seminar

Course Load

  • Classes: 24

  • Weekly reading: 36

  • Assignments: 30

  • Final essay: 50

Assessment method

Assignments: 30%
Participation: 20%
Final essay: draft (10%) and final version (40%)

The final mark will be based on all required work. The mark for the final essay should be a pass (5,5 or higher). If the student fails the final essay (5,49 or lower), this part can be resubmitted once.

Blackboard

Yes Blackboard

Reading list

Readings will vary. The list of reading materials will be posted on Blackboard.

Registration

Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Contact

Hilde De Weerdt

Remarks

None.