Course outline: subject to change. It is important that you read the assigned course reading before class.

1 - September 15 – Introduction to the Course; Early Images (before 1600) Colin Mackerras, Western Images of China chapters 1 and 2

2 - September 22 – Jesuits, Philosophes, and Chinoiserie François Quesnay, “Le despotisme de la Chine” (1767) & Oliver Goldsmith, “Citizen of the World” (1760-61) excerpts

3 – September 29 – Changing Fashions: Nineteenth Century Images of China Macartney's “Observations on China” (1794) & Rev. Arthur Smith, “Chinese Characteristics” (1 894) excerpts

4 - October 6 – Early Western Images of Taiwan; Psalmanazar’s fraud George Psalmanazar, Description of Formosa (1704-5) excerpts

5 - October 13 – Western Images of Early Republican China Herge, Tintin: Blue Lotus (1935)

6 - October 20 – Edgar Snow’s Red Star over China Edgar Snow, Red Star over China (1937) (excerpts)

7 – October 27 – Allies: China and World War II Video (in-class): “Why We Fight: The Battle of China” (1944) and discussion

8 – November 3 – The Civil War and Communist Takeover of China Readings to be announced

9 – November 10 – Midterm examination

10 - November 17 – Communist China Readings to be announced

11 - November 24 – Mao Chic: The Cultural Revolution and the West Shirley MacLaine, “You Can Get There from Here” (1975) excerpts

12 - December 1 – The US’s diplomatic opening to the PRC James Mann, About Face: A History of America’s Curious Relationship with China from Nixon to Clinton (excerpts)

13 - December 8 – Nixon in China Video (in-class): “Nixon in China (The Film)” (1972) and discussion

14 - December 15 – Post-Mao: Deng Xiaoping’s opening to the World Video (in-class): “China Assignment: The 1980s” and discussion

15 – December 22 – Western Eyes and Tiananmen Square 6.4.89 Readings to be announced

16 – December 29 – China’s Rise/ Beijing 2008 Readings to be announced

17 - January 5 – After Beijing 2008: From Soft Power/“China’s Rise” to “Sharp Power” Readings – to be announced

18 - January 12 – Final Examination 

NA

Assignments and grading criteria: Participation and attendance: 10% (‘perfect’ attendance policy – 0 or 1 absence, regardless of cause)

Mid-term: 30% (November 10)

Essay and/or class projects: 30%

Final: 30% (January 12) 

See course outline