Chinese History and Culture I

3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1021230BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

Faculty

Faculty of Languages & Humanities

Department

Linguistics and Literary Studies

Educational team

Ann Peeters
Maarten Gernay
Jianwei Xu (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

13 contact hours Lecture
15 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
20 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

This course aims to provide an integrated overview of the history of China from Prehistory until the fall of the last imperial dynasty, the Qing Dynasty. On the one hand, we will draw a panoramic sketch of different historical periods in chronological order. On the other hand, we will zoom in on certain periods to better understand the important historical developments and link each period with its most significant developments. Some highlights include the emergence and the origin of Chinese philosophy during the Eastern Zhou era, the introduction of Buddhism during the Han dynasty, the culmination of culture and art during the Han, Tang, Song, Ming and Qing dynasties, and the invasion of foreign forces that lead to the Yuan dynasty and the opium wars. The main objective is to gain a comprehensive yet structured historical overview that emphasizes the cultural evolution of China.

Course material

Handbook (Required) : The Story of China, The Epic History of a World Power from the Middle Kingdom to Mao and the China Dream, Michael Wood, 2de, St. Martin's Press, 9781250202574, 2020
Digital course material (Required) : Digital course material made available on Canvas, Een reis in beelden, Lao Tzu, Ten Have

Additional info

Students are expected to attend the lectures regularly on the campus. Digital attendance and access to class recordings need the support of a clear motivation. The instructor can be reached at Jianwei.Xu@vub.be and Maarten.Gernay@vub.be

Learning Outcomes

general competencies

Students who complete this course will be able to

develop a general overview of Chinese history. They will be able to describe the key figures, the major events and the most significant developments in various fields in the given historical periods and relate them to the broader social and cultural contexts.
distinguish between and provide an explanation of the main philosophical schools and their tenets.
identify, discuss and summarise the key cultural characteristics of chosen topics; they are able to compare different perspectives and deliver an opinion on the topics.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
SELF Presentation determines 40% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Oral exam with a relative weight of 60 which comprises 60% of the final mark.

Note: The oral exam relates to the course content and the broad historical and cultural insights gained from the course.

Within the SELF Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Presentation with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Exams in August/September: oral exam 60% and oral presentation 40% (scores of sub-components can be carried over).

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context