21-510-354 Sec 01 (Index #34119)
Fall 2011
History of Modern China
Instructor: Benno Weiner
Office: Conklin Hall #326
Office Hours: Wednesday 2:30-3:30
Email: [email protected]
Lecture Time: M/W 4:00-5:20
Location: Conklin Hall #346
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to some of the major issues in modern Chinese history from the rise
of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty (c. 1644) through the May 4th Movement (c. 1919). Special
attention will be given to questions of state building, social and economic transformation,
ethnicity and empire, imperialism and globalization, and the transition from empire to nation.
We begin by examining the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) not just as the last of China‟s imperial
dynasties but also as an early-modern, multi-ethnic Eurasian empire. Attention is given not only
to the Qing conquest and rule over “China” but also the other constituent components of the Qing
Empire including Mongolia, Tibet and Xinjiang. The second portion of the class will focus on the
social, economic, intellectual and demographic developments that transformed late-imperial
China. We will discuss the possibility that even before the arrival of western imperialism,
markers of modernity may have been found in Qing state and society. Thirdly, we will examine
Qing responses to a string of massive nineteenth-century interruptions, both internal and external,
that threatened to not only end the dynasty but also challenged the very tenants of Chinese
civilization. We will ask whether or not China could have dealt with these challenges using its
own cultural toolbox and traditions or if wholesale westernization was indeed necessary. Lastly,
we will look at the fall of China‟s imperial system, the end of empire, and the post-imperial
struggle to reformulate the state and re-imagine society for the twentieth century.
Throughout the course we rely heavily on primary sources in translation to both discuss these
issues and the use of documents in the construction of history. During the spring semester, a
course entitled “The People‟s Republic of China” will continue the story of Modern China
through to the present day.
Requirements and Grading:
Attendance: Regular classroom attendance is extremely important. Students are required to
bring a 3x5 index card to each class. During each class, students must write a short comment or
question (or two) directly relating to that day‟s lecture. The cards will be turned in at the end of
class. Each unexcused absence after the third will result in a 5-Point deduction from the
student’s OVERALL grade. Any combination of arriving late or leaving early three times
equals one absence. Also, any student who misses eight or more classes through any
combination of excused and unexcused absences will not earn credit for this class. Such students
should withdraw from the course.
Participation: 10%
We will leave time during each class to discuss the lecture and reading topics. Students are
required to complete the readings assigned for each lecture ahead of time and actively participate
in classroom discussions by asking pertinent questions or making substantive comments. Your
score will reflect both the quality and quantity of your participation, but you must speak at least
once in each session for a score of 90 or higher. “Quality” includes being able to answer specific
questions from the assigned readings. Sleeping in class, surfing the internet, using cell phones etc
will negatively affect your score.
Quizzes: 10%
There will be one scheduled map test (9/19) and several short pop quizzes given throughout the
semester. The pop quizzes will directly relate to the reading assigned for that day (excluding the
textbook). The lowest quiz score will be dropped. Therefore a single absence will not adversely
affect your overall grade.
Book Review: 20%
A short analytical review (4-6 pages) of a book that deals with any aspect of modern Chinese
history the student finds intriguing. The review should identify the author‟s main argument,
provide examples of the author‟s evidence, identify the strengths and weaknesses of the
argument, and come to a conclusion as to the value of the work as a historical text. Grades will
be based on the overall effectiveness of your analysis as well as the quality of your writing.
Excessive typos, grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, and poor organization and/or a lack of
clarity will all affect the final grade.
All books must be approved in advance. If you need help choosing a book please consult with
the instructor ahead of time (do not wait for October 21).
Please submit books for approval by November 2
Book Reviews Due: December 5
(Late proposals or final papers will be docked half a grade per weekday)
Midterm Exam: 25%
The midterm, consisting of IDs and short essays, will be given in class on October 24.
Final Exam: 35%
The Final will be given on Wednesday, December 21 from 3-6pm. It will be cumulative,
although the emphasis will be on the material since the midterm.
Policy on Academic Integrity:
The instructor, Rutgers University and all of academia take academic honesty extremely
seriously. Violations of the university‟s academic integrity policy will be prosecuted according to
the university‟s guidelines. If you use someone else‟s work without proper citation (ie.
plagiarize) or otherwise fail to live up to the standards of academic honesty, you will be putting
your academic career in jeopardy. If you are unsure of when and how to cite another author‟s
work (including internet sources), please contact the instructor. In order to receive credit for
the course, students must sign the academic integrity statement found on Blackboard.
The university‟s policy on academic honesty can be found here:
http://history.newark.rutgers.edu/index.php?content=rn_integrity.
Required Course Books: Available for purchase at the campus bookstore.
Schoppa, R. Keith, Revolution and Its Past: Identities and Change in Modern Chinese
History, 3rd Ed. (Prentice Hall, 2010).
[The 2nd Edition (2005) is also available and perhaps can be found for a slightly cheaper
price. However, the 3rd edition is recommended, particularly for those that plan on taking
the second half of the course during the spring semester. The page numbers given below
refer to the 3rd edition]
Atwill, David G. and Yurong Y. Atwill, Sources In Chinese History (Prentice Hall,
2010).
Blackboard: Additional assigned readings are found on the course‟s Blackboard site.
Readings marked “Documents” refer to selections from “The Search for Modern China:
A Documentary Collection,” edited by Pei-Kai Chang and Michael Lestz.
Scheduled Lectures and Assigned Readings (all assignments are
subject to change)
Week 1: Introduction and the Legacy of the Past
9/5: LABOR DAY- NO CLASS!!
9/7: Class Requirements and Introduction to Major Trends in Chinese History
**9/8 (Thursday): The Legacy of the Past: The Ming Dynasty
-Moise, Edwin, “The Chinese Past” in Modern China: A History 7-24.
Documents: 1.10
**(Please note the Thursday class time)
Week 2: The Ming-Qing Transition
-Spence, Jonathan. “The Late Ming” and “The Manchu Conquest” in The Search for Modern
China 7-25, 26-37.
9/12: Decline of the Ming and Rise of Manchu Power
-Documents: 1.3, 2.1
9/14: The Mandate of Heaven Renewed? The Qing Conquest
-Documents: 2.2-2.9
Week 3: Consolidation and Expansion
-Schoppa 24-35
9/19: The Kangxi Emperor and Qing Consolidation: Sinicization or State Building?
MAP TEST!
-Rowe, William, “Alien Rule” in China’s Last Empire 19-30
-Sources: Intro to Ch 1 and 1.1-1.4
-Documents: 3.5
9/21: Qing Expansion and Imperial Ideology: The Conquest and Rule over Inner
Asia and Tibet
-Rawski, Evalyn. “The Qing Empire During the Qianlong Reign,” in Millward, James A. et al.
New Qing Imperial History. 15-20.
-Lopez, Donald S. Jr., “Tibetan Buddhism,” in New Qing Imperial History 22-33.
-“The Third Panchen Lama‟s Visit to Chengde” in New Qing Imperial History 188-197.
-Sources: 1.5
Week 4: The High Qing I: Administration and Confucian Thought
9/26: The Yongzheng Emperor and the Bureaucratic Regularization of the Qing
Empire
Spence, Jonathan. “Yongzhen‟s Authority,” 81-95
9/28: The Qianlong Emperor and the Long 18th Century I: Late Imperial or Early
Modern?
Rowe, William “Qing Critiques of the Local Administration,” 59-62
Chen Hongmou and Mid-Qing Statecraft in Sources in Chinese Tradition v2, 156-162
Week 5: The High Qing II: Society and Economy
-Naquin, Susan and Evalyn Rawski, “Social Change” in Chinese Society in the 18th Century 106127
10/3 The Patterns of Rural Life, Commerce and Social Change
“Agriculture: An Overview” in L. Eastman Family, Fields and Ancestors p 62-79
“Permanent Property” in Ebrey 292-295.
10/5: The Qianlong Emperor and the Long 18th Century II: Growth without
Development or Sprouts of Capitalism? (Economics and Demographics)
TBD
Sources: 6.1-6.3, 6.8-6.10
Week 6: The High Qing III: The End of Effervescence?
-Schoppa 35-51
10/10: “Like the Sun at Midday:” Crisis in the High Qing
-Hong Lianji “On Imperial Malfeasance and China‟s Population Problem” 172-179
-Elliot, Mark (tr.) “The Eating Crabs Book,” 271-278 (“Introduction 263-271 recommended)
-Sources: 1.10-1.11
10/12: Lord Macartney and the Chinese World Order: The Coming of the West
Beyond Impact and Response
-Sources: 1.6-1.9
-Documents: 3.3, 6.2-6.3
Week 7: 19th Century Challenges I: External Pressures
-Schoppa 51-65
10/17: Opium Wars and Unequal Treaties
-Sources: Chapter 2
-Documents: 7.1-7.3; 7.5
10/19 Treaty Ports and Social Change in the mid-late 19th Century
-Sources: Intro to Chapter 4 and 4.1-4.9
-Documents: 9.8
Week 8: Midterm and other Unpleasantness
10/24: Midterm
Examination (in-class)
10/26: Qing Heterodoxies: Bandits, Sectarians, Secret Societies, and Sworn
Brotherhoods
-Rowe, Wiliam, “Rebellion” 175-185
-Documents; 8.1
Week 9: 19th Century Challenges II: Domestic Rebellions
-Schoppa Chapter 4
10/31: The Age of Rebellion: The Taiping Rebellion
-Documents: 8.2, 8.6
-Sources: Intro to Chapter 3 and 3.1-3.4
11/2 The Nian, Muslim and Panthay Rebellions: Reconsolidation and
Decentralization
-Sources: 3.5-3.8
-Documents: 9.5
Book Review Proposals Due!!
Week 10: Imperial Decline or Restoration? A Qing Fin de Siècle?
-Schoppa Chapter 5, Chapter 6 (106-118)
11/7: Reformers and Rebels 1: Restoration through Reform: The Self-Strengthening
Movement
-Sources: 3.9-3.12
-Documents: 9.3-9.4
11/9: Reformers and Rebels 2: The Sino-Japanese War and Radical Reform
Book Review Proposals Due!
-Kang Youwei “Confucius as a Reformer” 266-270
-Harrison, Henrietta, “The Confucian Scholar” in The Man Awakened from Dreams 35-50
-Sources: 4.10-4.1; Intro to chapter 5 and 5.1-5.3
-Documents: 10.2, 10.4
Week 11: Prelude to Revolution?
-Schoppa 118-138
11/14: Reformers and Rebels 3: The Boxer Rebellion and Imperial Constitutionalism
-Harrison, Henrietta, “The Representative of the People” in The Man Awakened from Dreams 8396.
-Sources 5.4-5.10
11/16: Reformers and Revolutionaries 4: The Revolutionaries
-Rowe, “Revolution” 262-273
-Liang Qichao, “On Renewing the People” 287-298
-Documents: 11.2-11.3
-Sources 5.11-5.12, 6.11
Week 12: Fall of the Qing Dynasty
11/21: End of Empire I: The Xinhai Revolution and the End of the Imperial System
-Schoppa 134-139
-Sources: 7.1-7.4
11/23: Thanksgiving!!! No Class
Week 13: The End of Empire?
-Schoppa Chapter 8
11/28 End of the Empire I: Revolution at the Edges
-Tilly, Charles, “How Empires End” in After Empire 1-4
-Kapstein, “The Life and Times of the Great Thirteenth.” In The Tibetans 168-174
-Lan Mei-hua “China‟s „New Administration” in Mongolia 39-53
-Treaty Between Tibet and Mongolia 172-174 (175-181 optional)
-Sources: 7.5
11/30 Democrats, Monarchists, and Warlords: The Birth and Death of the Republic
-Harrison, Henrietta, “The Representative of the People” in The Man Awakened from Dreams 97112
-Sources: 7.6-7.7
-Docs: 12.5-12.7
Week 14: New Culture, New Youth, New China
-Schoppa Chapter 9
12/5: New Culture, New China
-Chen Duxiu, “The Way of Confucius and Modern Life” in Sources in Chinese Traditions 353356
-He Zhen, “What Women Should Know About Communism” ibid. 389-392
-Sources: Lu Xun, “A Call to Arms” 7.12
Book Reviews Due
12/7 The Treaty of Versailles and the May Fourth Movement
-Mitter, Rana. “Why was May Fourth Important?” in Bitter Revolution 12-25
-Sources: Introduction to Chapter 7 and 7.9-7.11
-Documents: 13.3
Week 15: REVIEW
12/12 Review: From Empire to Nation or “How the Qing Became China”
-Esherick, Joseph, “How the Qing Became China,” in Empire to Nation 229-252
Final Examination- Wednesday, December 21: 3-6 PM