Syllabus: History of the Far East to 1600

History of the Far East to 1600
HIST 3610/001
MWF 12:00-12:50
Brewster D-103

Fall 2001 Syllabus

John A. Tucker, Ph.D.
Office hours MWF 10-12:00
Brewster A-304
Work 328-1028/Home 756-4126
Tuckerjo@mail.ecu.edu

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emergency information hotline: 252-328-0062

Description: This course examines the major trends in the development of civilization in East Asia from prehistory to the end of the sixteenth century. While East Asia is generally understood to comprise China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, due to limitations of time, the course will focus primarily on developments in Chinese history and their impact on the wider region. After all, China was undoubtedly "the source" from which most of the fundamentals of civilization derived, throughout East Asia. At the same time, careful attention will be given to ways in which the smaller nations of the region, Japan in particular, creatively modified the foundations of Chinese civilization so as to create a distinctive civilization of their own.

Quizzes, Exams, & Grading: There will be three exams (September 21; November 2; and December 5), each counting 20% of the final grade. The exams will not be cumulative in the strict sense of the term, though students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the earlier information as is necessary to compare and contrast the material studied insightfully. Exams will typically include both "objective" (map identifications, true/false; multiple choice; matching, etc) and essay components, though the latter will typically account for the majority of the point value of the exam.

Brief quizzes will be given on a biweekly basis, and cumulatively will count as 20% of the final grade. The quizzes are designed to ensure that students master the details of East Asian history on a regular basis. Given that much of the information integral to the study of East Asia is utterly foreign to beginning students, it is essential that students attempt to digest it in reasonable increments. The quizzes, testing geographic details, familiarity with names, events, etc., will typically be "objective" in nature. Those who attend and participate meaningfully in class, read carefully and reflect upon assigned readings, and review class lectures, discussions, and assigned readings with an eye toward meaningful integration of the material, should have no difficulties with the quizzes.

Students will also be expected to write a brief "thesis" paper (7-10 pp) on a topic of their choosing, related to traditional East Asian history. More than mere reports, these papers should seek to develop a thesis, defined by the student, on the basis of their readings and in-class experiences with East Asian history. One sample thesis, for example, would be "Buddhism was more of a political force than a personal religious force in early East Asian history." Another might be "Samurai were more influential as promoters of civilization and peace than they were simple warriors." Often the thesis will develop as students engage the readings meaningfully. Rather than choose a thesis in advance of doing any of the readings, students are encouraged to allow their thinking to unfold naturally with their progress in the course. It is essential, given the limited resources available through Joyner Library, that students choose their thesis on the basis of materials available, rather than in isolation from them. Thesis papers are due on the last day of class, December 5. Earlier submissions will be accepted.

Any student wishing to submit a draft for initial critique and subsequent revision may do so. However, no "first draft" papers will be accepted after the beginning of Thanksgiving break, November 21.

Objectives: This course is the first half of a two-semester survey history of East Asia, and is meant primarily to prepare students for a more meaningful appreciation of the development of modern East Asian history. At the same time, the course seeks to provide for students an appreciation of the fundamentals shaping East Asian civilization, be they religious, philosophical, economic, literary, linguistic, or artistic. Thus, by the end of the semester students should have an understanding of the nature of East Asian geography, Confucianism, Daoism, varieties of East Asian Buddhism, the essential emphases of East Asian legal systems, literatures, and philosophies, as well as the key components of East Asian languages. Given this broad background in the fundamentals, students who complete the course successfully should be able to more insightfully assimilate new information and studies related to East Asia. Additionally, as is true with the study of any foreign culture, students should have realized significantly more about themselves and their "own" culture.

Required Readings: In order to relate contemporary news to East Asian history, students will be given press handouts on a regular basis. Material in them will be discussed in class, the stuff of quizzes, and possibly exams. In addition, the following are the texts required for the course.

Conrad Schirokauer. A Brief History of Chinese and Japanese Civilizations. New York: Harcourt Brace, Jovanovich, 1989.
Wm. Theodore de Bary. Sources of Chinese Tradition, Volume One, From Earliest Times to 1600. New York: Columbia University Press, 1999.

Needless to say, students are encouraged to read extensively about Asia, using the Joyner Library collection, interlibrary loan materials, postings on the internet, or their personal library. At the same time, the three texts assigned must be read carefully since they are the material on which students will be tested. Generally speaking, students will not be expected to "know" details which appear only in the readings assigned. However, any material that is mentioned in class and appears in the readings will be considered fair game for the quizzes and exams.

Disability Statement: East Carolina University seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students requesting accommodations based on a covered disability must go to the Department for Disability Support Services, located in Brewster A-117, to verify the disability before any accommodations can occur. The telephone number is 252-328-6799.

Schedule for Lectures, Readings, and Discussions: August 15/17: Introduction/Chinese Antiquity

Required Reading: Schirokauer, ch. 1; SCT, chs. 1-2.
Useful Web sites: Chinese art Shang history Bibliography: Shang Bronzes

August 20/22/24: Age of the Philosophers

Required Reading: Schirokauer, ch. 2; SCT, chs. 3-5.
Recommended Web sites: Recently Discovered Daodejing Text Hansen's Pages

Please note: August 21 is the last day for late registration & schedule changes.

August 27/29/31: Age of the Philosophers, continued

Required Reading: SCT, chs. 6-7.

September 3: Labor Day

September 5/7: The First Empire (221 BCE -220)

Required Reading: Schirokauer, ch. 3; SCT, chs. 8-9.

September 10/12/14: The First Empire, continued

SCT, chs. 10-12.

September 17/19: China During Disunity

Required Reading: Schirokauer, ch. 4; SCT, chs. 13-15.

September 21: First Exam

September 24/26/28: Cosmopolitan Civilization of the Sui and Tang

Required Reading: Schirokauer, ch. 5; SCT, chs. 16-18.
Please note: September 26 is the last day for undergraduates to drop semester-length courses or withdraw from school without grades.

October 1/3/5: Early Japan to 794