~~ S Y L L A B U S ~~
                   HISTORY 471 - THE RISE OF MODERN CHINA
                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Marilyn Levine
Lewis-Clark State College

The 1949 Revolution which created the People's Republic of China was the crowning point of over a century of political ferment. Experiencing a revolution from the bottom to the top, the question of social stability was secondary to the issues of political and social justice during this period. This class will explore the transition from the dynastic system to the modern state, looking at both internal factors such as the Confucian value system, as well as external factors, such as the forcible intrusion of the West.

I. Required Reading

, I., The Rise of Modern China [Text] Pruitt, I., A Daughter of Han
Hsiung, J. et. al., China's Bitter Victory Hinton, W., Fanshen
Liang, H., Son of the Revolution
Readings on Reserve

II. Class Schedule

1/18     Introduction
         Traditional China
         Text: Chapter 1
 
1/25     The Qing Dynasty
         The Taiping Rebellion
         Text: Chapters 2-6, 10
 
2/1      The Incursion of the West
         China's Self-Strengthening Movement
         Pruitt, A Daughter of Han [Outline Due]
         Text: Chapters 7-10, Part III
 
2/8      Reform & Revolt at the Turn of the Century
         A Generation of Lasts & Firsts
         Text: Chapters 15-16
 
2/15     FILM
 
2/22     Qing Reforms
         The 1911 Revolution
         Reserved Reading: "The Life and Writings of Tsou Jung" (Hsueh) 
[Student-Led Discussion]
         Text: Chapters 17-20
         Take-Home exam Passed Out to Class
 
3/1      Take-Home exam #1  Due
         Yuan Shikai & the Republican Era
         Warlordism in China
         Text: Chapter 21
         
3/8      The New Culture & May Fourth Movements
         The Rise of Party Politics
         The Emergence of Mass Politics
         Text: Chapter 22
 
3/15     The Nanjing Decade
         Japanese Aggression in China
         The  War Against Japan
         Text: Chapters 23-24
         Hsiung, China's Bitter Victory [student selects 3 chapters, 

Outline Due]

3/22 FILM

3/28 - 4/2 ~~ SPRING VACATION ~~

4/5      The Victory of Chinese Communism
         Hinton, Fanshen, pp.     [Outline Due]
         Take-Home exam Passed Out to Class

4/12     Take-Home exam #2  Due
         Mass Campaigns & the Great Leap Forward
         The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution
         Text: Chapters 26-31
 
4/19     FILM
         Liang, Son of the Revolution  [Student Led Discussion]

4/26     The Post-Mao Era
         China's Future [Student Led Discussion based on Reserved Reading]
         Reserved Reading, Current Articles on Modernization
         Text: Chapters 32-33, 35-40
         Take-Home exam Passed Out to Class

5/3      Take-Home exam #3  Due
         FILM

III. Assignments, Attendance & Grading Policy

~ Students will be responsible for 3 Outlines (30% of grade), 3 Exams (60% of grade) and Participation (10% of grade).

~Assignments are to be turned in on-time, according to the dates on the syllabus, and will be graded down by half a grade for each day they are late, up until 50% of the grade. Attendance in class is absolutely required, and will be part of the participation grade.

~Students are encouraged to make use of office hours which are listed at the top of the syllabus.LEARNING THRU DISCUSSION - OUTLINE PREPARATION

Step One

Definitions: List three to five words of which you are unsure. Look them up and write down the definitions of them.

Step Two

Main Theme: Write down your version of a general statement of the author's message.

Step Three

Subtopic Identification: Identify two to three subtopics. Note the subtopics you had trouble comprehending or which you think would provide a profitable discussion.

Step Four

Subtopic Explanation & Questions: Write a brief statement of the subject matter of each subtopic. Design a question that you would ask for each.

Step Five

Integration with Other Materials: Write down the meaning or usefulness the material has for understanding other concepts and materials. Indicate what other ideas the material substantiates, contradicts, or amplifies.

Step Six

Application: Write down how the material can apply to your own life situation - past, present or future. What implications does the material hold for your own intellectual pursuits or interests?

Step Seven

Evaluation: Write down your reactions and evaluation of the assignment.

[Adapted from Hill, Wm. Fawcett, Learning Thru Discussion (Sage Publications, 1969)]