Abstract: This course is designed to introduce graduate students to the scholarly literature in English on modern Chinese history, from the Qing through the Republican and Communist periods to the present. The course is intended for students preparing a second or third field on China or East Asia in History, and for students specializing on China or East Asia in other departments. At the end you will have read a good sampling of more important works, and have a grasp of what else is available that you might like to read or consult. On the grounds that history is a book discipline B that the literature of significance to historians is for the most part books and that articles are frequently just precursors for books B we will deal only with scholarly monographs and not with articles, collections of articles, or other kinds of works. The list of works that follows is a selection (believe it or not) of what I think are important works; the ones I like best are marked with an asterisk. It goes without saying that such judgments are inevitably in part subjective. You are to read a book each week, beginning on week 2. To make sure each person reads a different book, so that we can sample and discuss more works, you must inform me first, by email or telephone. The readings are to be chosen from the lists that follow, in accord with your interests. Try to select most of your readings for the semester as early as possible, in consultation with me. Each week you will write a paper of about 2 pages, single-spaced, on your book, its main points, thesis, methodology, and significance. The paper should be addressed to your fellow students telling them clearly what is in this book that is most useful for them to know. You may find it useful to look at published book reviews to get a sense of where it fits into the broader body of historical literature. Bring to class copies for your fellow students and for me. In class you will also give a 10-15 minute oral presentation on your book, and we will have some discussion about each book. The items listed under week 1 are for your reference only. Depending on how much background you have in modern Chinese history, you may find it useful to have a survey or other book at hand to consult.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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