History of Modern China
HIST 3392 Section 01
Spring 2015
TR 2:35-3:50
ARHU 258
Instructor: Robert Hoppens
Office: ARHU 343 C
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: TR 10 am-noon; 4-5 pm and by appointment
History and Philosophy webpage: http://www.panam.edu/dept/hist-phil/
Course Description: This course is a detailed history of China since the 19th century. After a brief overview of late
imperial history in the 17th and 18th centuries, we will focus on the history of China in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Beginning with the foreign and domestic crises of the late Qing Dynasty, we will then examine the “opening” of China
to Western imperialism in the Opium Wars, the Chinese Revolution, the history of Chinese nationalism and Chinese
communism, the war against Japan and China’s role in WWII. We will then turn to the history of the People’s Republic
of China, the legacy of Mao Zedong and the Cold War and finally consider the historical significance of the
contemporary “Rise of China.”
Required Texts:
Jonathan D. Spence, The Search for Modern China, 3rd edition (W.W. Norton & Co., 2013). ISBN: 978-0393934519
(or 2nd edition, ISBN: 978-0393973518)
Ida Pruit, Ning Lao T’ai T’ai, A Daughter of Han: The Autobiography of a Chinese Working Woman (Martino Fine
Books, 2011). ISBN: 978-1614270942
Michelle Loyalka, Eating Bitterness: Stories from the Front Lines of China’s Great Urban Migration (University of
California Press, 2012). ISBN: 978-0520266506
All texts are available at the UTPA bookstore. There are also copies of all the texts on reserve at the UTPA library. For
those using e-readers, all the texts except the Spence text are available on kindle. The Loyalka book, Eating Bitterness is
also available as an e-book, accessible through the UTPA library catalog. Readings other than the texts listed above will
be provided electronically on Blackboard.
Course Objectives:
1. To gain a critical understanding of the major political, economic and cultural themes in Chinese history in the 19th
and 20th centuries and the historical context for China’s role in the contemporary world.
2. To understand how these themes are shaped by the political, economic and cultural interaction between China and
the world, especially China’s relations with the United States.
3. To understand the major historiographical trends and points of contention in the study of modern Chinese history.
4. To prepare students for further study in various aspects of the history, politics, economy and culture of China and
East Asia.
Learning Outcomes: Students who complete this course will be able to:
1. Analyze an historical argument and identify the thesis of an historical work.
2. Use primary and secondary sources to develop an argument.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how bias and points of view influence the historical record.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of conventional historical periodization and their characteristics in multiple areas of the
world and be able to make comparisons between those periods, areas and events.
5. Demonstrate the ability to present orally and in written form important historical concepts, debates, and differing
historical interpretations.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the TEKS for history 7th-12th grades.
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Course Requirements:
Exams: There will be a total of three exams, two midterm exams plus a final exam administered during final exam
week. Exams will consist of a combination of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions. Exams will be
non-cumulative, generally covering material presented since the last exam, but also non-exclusive, meaning that
students may need to draw on material presented earlier in the course in order to satisfactorily answer exam
questions. For advice on preparing for and taking exams see, “Taking history exams” available on blackboard.
Review Essays: Students will write 3-5 page reviews of the books A Daughter of Han and Eating Bitterness. Review
essays will form the basis for in-class discussion and must be submitted in hard copy, in class, on the scheduled due
date. More detailed guides to writing the review essays will be provided in class. For general information on writing
book reviews, please read “Book Reviews” available on blackboard.
Assignments: Students will complete three assignments analyzing provided historical sources and readings; on the
Opium War, the works of Lu Xun and the historical legacy of Mao Zedong. Students will write answers to a series
of questions provided. Like the review essays, assignments will form the basis for in-class discussion and should be
submitted in hard copy, in class on the due date.
Quizzes: Students will be required to pass a map quiz early in the semester, testing knowledge of the basic geography
of China and East Asia. There will also be review quizzes before each exam that review material presented in the
text and lectures and to help students prepare for exams.
Class Participation and Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class sessions and to participate in all
classroom discussions. Students will be expected to have completed all assigned readings in order to be prepared for
discussion.
I realize some individuals are less comfortable sharing opinions and asking questions in class than others. However,
learning how to present arguments and articulate opinions publically is an important skill that all students can and
should develop. I hope that we can create a classroom atmosphere where everyone can contribute to our discussions.
In order to create such an environment, students should be respectful of their peers and avoid personal attacks of
any kind.
Mandatory Course Evaluations: Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed
through your UTPA account (https://my.utpa.edu/). You will be contacted through e-mail with further instructions
on the evaluation process. The evaluation window closes at 11:59 pm on the last day of classes for the semester.
Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades.
Grading:
Final grades will be calculated as follows:
Three exams:
60% of total grade (20% each)
Review essays:
20% (10% each)
Assignments:
15%
Map quiz & quizzes:
5%
A=90% and above B=89-80
C=79-70
D=69-60
Fail=below 60
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Course Policies:
Late and Make-up Work: Make-up exams and map quizzes will be given only with prior consultation with the
instructor or in the case of emergency, which must be documented with a written excuse. Review essays and
assignments are intended to form the basis of in-depth discussion and any late submissions will be severely
penalized by at least a one full-grade deduction.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university. All members
of the community must be confident that each person’s work has been responsibly and honorably acquired,
developed, and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the
effort is successful. The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with
consequences that range from probation to expulsion. Copying from others, displaying a test or notes for others to
see, attempting to communicate in any manner with another student during an exam, or plagiarism are among those
behaviors that will result in a zero score for any students involved and also will be reported to University officials.
Moreover, any such activity will automatically result in failing the course. When in doubt about plagiarism,
paraphrasing, quoting, or collaboration, consult the course instructor. Also see, “Plagiarism What It is and How to
Avoid it,” available on blackboard.
Accessibility: If you have a documented disability which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as I have
outlined and/or if you need special accommodations or assistance due to a disability, please contact Disability
Services, University Center, Room 108 ([email protected]) immediately, or the Associate Director at
665-7005. Appropriate arrangements/accommodations can be arranged.
Communication: Per UTPA policy, all email communication between the UTPA faculty and staff and students must
be conducted through official University-supplied Bronc Mail accounts. Therefore, please use your UTPA assigned
Bronc Mail for any correspondence with UTPA faculty and staff. Other emails may be blocked by the spam filter.
You are responsible for the consequences of an undelivered or delayed email that are blocked by the spam filter. For
online courses students should use the email system in Blackboard.
Computers, Voice Recorders, and Cellular Phones: You may use computers or voice recorders to take notes. No
computers, recorders or cell phones can be used during exams. Please do not videotape lectures without permission.
Please turn off cell phones before class begins. No cell phone use is permitted during exams.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
NOTE: This schedule may be amended with advance notice
Week 1: January 20 & 22
Introduction & Late Imperial China
Spence, Ch. 1-3
Week 2: January 27 & 29
Late Imperial China
Spence, Ch. 4-6
MAP QUIZ: Thursday, January 29
Week 3: February 3 & 5
The Foreign Crisis: The Opium War & the Unequal Treaty System
Spence, Ch. 7
Begin reading A Daughter of Han, “Prologue,” “The City” and Book I
Supplemental Readings:
Emperor Qianlong, Edict on Trade with Great Britain, 1793
The Opium War: China and the West, “Commissioner Lin’s Letter to Queen Victoria, 1839” & “Lord Palmerston’s
Letter to the Chinese Government, 1840”
Treaty of Nanjing (1842)
Treaty of Tianjin (June 26, 1858)
Week 4: February 10 & 12
The Domestic Crisis & Self-Strengthening Movement
Spence, Ch. 8 & 9
Daughter of Han, Book I
ASSIGNMENT 1: The Opium War
Week 5: February 17 & 19
EXAM 1: Thursday, February 19
The Turn of the Century: The Sino-Japanese War, 100 Days Reform & the Boxers
Spence, Ch. 10
Daughter of Han, Book II
Supplemental Readings:
The Treaty of Shimonoseki (April 17, 1895)
Kang Youwei’s Memorial on Institutional Reform (January 29, 1898)
Liang Qichao Calls for Reform, 1902-1905
Week 6: February 24 & 26
The 1911 Revolution
Spence, Ch. 11-12
A Daughter of Han, Book III
Supplemental Readings:
Zou Rong on Revolution, 1903
Tongmeng Hui Revolutionary Proclamation, 1907
Sun Yat-sen, On the Three People’s Principles and the Future of the Chinese People, 1906
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Week 7: March 3 & 5
ASSIGNMENT 2: Lu Xun
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The May 4 Movement & the Early Communist Movement
Spence, Ch. 13-14
A Daughter of Han, Book III
Supplemental Readings:
Japan’s Twenty-One Demands, 1915
Chen Duxiu’s “New Youth” Manifesto (December 1, 1919)
Lu Xun’s Call to Arms (December 3, 1922)
Lu Xun, Ah Q-The Real Story (especially Chapter 2 “A Brief Account of His Victories”)
Week 8: March 10 & 12
The Nanjing Decade 1927-1937
Spence, Ch. 15-16
Finish reading A Daughter of Han
Supplemental Readings
Chiang Kai-shek: Nationalism and Traditionalism (p. 692-698)
Mao’s Revolutionary Doctrine (p. 730-739)
Edgar Snow, Interview with Mao, 1937
NO CLASS: March 17 & 19
Week 9: March 24 & 26
The Second Sino-Japanese War
Spence, Ch. 17-18
Spring Break
REVIEW ESSAY 1: A Daughter of Han
Week 10: March 31 & April 2
The Chinese Civil War & Establishment of the PRC
Spence, Ch. 19-20
Supplemental Readings:
Mao Zedong, The Chinese People Have Stood Up, September 1949
Treaty with the Soviet Union, February 1950
EXAM 2: Thursday, April 2
Week 11: April 7 & 9
The Great Leap Forward & The Cultural Revolution
Spence, Ch. 21-22
Week 12: April 14 & 16
ASSIGNMENT 3: Legacy of Mao
The Legacy of Mao
Spence, Ch. 23-24
Supplemental Readings:
Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Some Questions on Party History, June 1981
Li Zhisui, The Emperor of Zhongnanhai, 1994
Charles W. Hayford, “Mao’s Journeys to the West: Meanings Made of Mao.”
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Week 13: April 21 & 23
Reform & Opening
Spence, Ch.25-26
Begin reading Eating Bitterness
Supplemental Readings:
Rapprochement with the United States and the International Community, & The Shanghai Communiqué
NOTE: Wednesday, April 29 last day to drop or withdraw
Week 14: April 28 & 30
The Rise of China
Spence, Ch. 27 & 28
Finish reading Eating Bitterness
Week 15: May 5
REVIEW ESSAY 2: Eating Bitterness
NO CLASS:
FINAL EXAM:
Thursday, May 7
Tuesday, May 12
Study Day
1:15pm-3:00pm
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