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CHINA 170: Chinese Language, Culture, and Society (CHINA 270)

Functions of languages in Chinese culture and society, origin of the Chinese language, genetic relations with neighboring languages, development of dialects, language contacts, evolution of Chinese writing, language policies in Greater China. Prerequisite: one quarter of Chinese 1 or 1B or equivalent recommended. This course must be taken for a minimum of 3 units and a letter grade to be eligible for Ways credit.

Last offered: Winter 2020 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

CHINA 175: Constructing National History in East Asian Archaeology (ARCHLGY 135, ARCHLGY 235, CHINA 275)

Archaeological studies in contemporary East Asia share a common concern, to contribute to building a national narrative and cultural identity. This course focuses on case studies from China, Korea, and Japan, examining the influence of particular social-political contexts, such as nationalism, on the practice of archaeology in modern times.

Last offered: Winter 2023 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-EDP, WAY-SI

CHINA 176: Emergence of Chinese Civilization from Caves to Palaces (ARCHLGY 111, ARCHLGY 211, CHINA 276)

Introduces processes of cultural evolution from the Paleolithic to the Three Dynasties in China. By examining archaeological remains, ancient inscriptions, and traditional texts, four major topics will be discussed: origins of modern humans, beginnings of agriculture, development of social stratification, and emergence of states and urbanism.

Last offered: Spring 2023 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-SI

CHINA 178: Lives of Confucius (CHINA 278)

This course examines the transformation of the images of Confucius (551-479 BCE) from his own time to the present day. Major topics include: Confucius and his rivals / critics, the making of Confucius the "Uncrowned King," his apotheosis as China's cultural symbol and civilization's greatest sage, and twists and turns in his modern fate. Comparisons will be made with the development of images of Socrates, Jesus, and other important cultural figures. NOTE: In order for course to count towards major or minor, undergrads must enroll in a minimum of 3 units or higher.

Last offered: Spring 2020 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

CHINA 183: The Chinese Empire from the Mongol Invasion to the Boxer Uprising (FEMGEN 193, HISTORY 193)

(Same as HISTORY 93. 193 is 5 units; 93 is 3 units.) A survey of Chinese history from the 11th century to the collapse of the imperial state in 1911. Topics include absolutism, gentry society, popular culture, gender and sexuality, steppe nomads, the Jesuits in China, peasant rebellion, ethnic conflict, opium, and the impact of Western imperialism.

Terms: Win | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-SI

Instructors: Sommer, M. (PI) ; Fu, K. (TA) ; Song, H. (TA)

CHINA 292B: Chinese Legal History (HISTORY 292B)

This undergraduate colloquium introduces students to the history of law in imperial China through close reading of primary sources in translation and highlights of Anglophone scholarship. We begin with legal perspectives from the Confucian and Legalist classics and the formation of early imperial legal codes. Then we focus on how law served as a field of interaction between state and society during China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing (1644-1911). Specific topics include autocracy and political crime; evidence, review, and appeals; the regulation of gender and sexual relations; the functioning of local courts; property and contract; and the informal sphere of community regulation outside the official judicial system.

Last offered: Spring 2022 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

CHINA 295J: Chinese Women's History (FEMGEN 295J, HISTORY 295J)

The lives of women in the last 1,000 years of Chinese history. Focus is on theoretical questions fundamental to women's studies. How has the category of woman been shaped by culture and history? How has gender performance interacted with bodily disciplines and constraints such as medical, reproductive, and cosmetic technologies? How relevant is the experience of Western women to women elsewhere? By what standards should liberation be defined?

Last offered: Winter 2022 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-Gender, WAY-EDP, WAY-SI

CLASSICS 9N: What Didn't Make the Bible (HISTORY 112C, JEWISHST 4, RELIGST 4)

Over two billion people alive today consider the Bible to be sacred scripture. But how did the books that made it into the bible get there in the first place? Who decided what was to be part of the bible and what wasn't? How would history look differently if a given book didn't make the final cut and another one did? Hundreds of ancient Jewish and Christian texts are not included in the Bible. "What Didn't Make It in the Bible" focuses on these excluded writings. We will explore the Dead Sea Scrolls, Gnostic gospels, hear of a five-year-old Jesus throwing temper tantrums while killing (and later resurrecting) his classmates, peruse ancient romance novels, explore the adventures of fallen angels who sired giants (and taught humans about cosmetics), tour heaven and hell, encounter the garden of Eden story told from the perspective of the snake, and learn how the world will end. The course assumes no prior knowledge of Judaism, Christianity, the bible, or ancient history. It is designed f more »

Over two billion people alive today consider the Bible to be sacred scripture. But how did the books that made it into the bible get there in the first place? Who decided what was to be part of the bible and what wasn't? How would history look differently if a given book didn't make the final cut and another one did? Hundreds of ancient Jewish and Christian texts are not included in the Bible. "What Didn't Make It in the Bible" focuses on these excluded writings. We will explore the Dead Sea Scrolls, Gnostic gospels, hear of a five-year-old Jesus throwing temper tantrums while killing (and later resurrecting) his classmates, peruse ancient romance novels, explore the adventures of fallen angels who sired giants (and taught humans about cosmetics), tour heaven and hell, encounter the garden of Eden story told from the perspective of the snake, and learn how the world will end. The course assumes no prior knowledge of Judaism, Christianity, the bible, or ancient history. It is designed for students who are part of faith traditions that consider the bible to be sacred, as well as those who are not. The only prerequisite is an interest in exploring books, groups, and ideas that eventually lost the battles of history and to keep asking the question "why." In critically examining these ancient narratives and the communities that wrote them, you will investigate how religions canonize a scriptural tradition, better appreciate the diversity of early Judaism and Christianity, understand the historical context of these religions, and explore the politics behind what did and did not make it into the bible.

Terms: Aut | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: WAY-A-II, WAY-SI

Instructors: Penn, M. (PI)

CLASSICS 12N: Income and wealth inequality from the Stone Age to the present (HISTORY 12N)

Rising inequality is a defining feature of our time. How long has economic inequality existed, and when, how and why has the gap between haves and have-nots widened or narrowed over the course of history? This seminar takes a very long-term view of these questions. It is designed to help you appreciate dynamics and complexities that are often obscured by partisan controversies and short-term perspectives, and to provide solid historical background for a better understanding of a growing societal concern.

Terms: Spr | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

Instructors: Scheidel, W. (PI)

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