John A. Tucker, PhD

WEEKLY LECTURE & DISCUSSION TOPICS
January 12/14: Late-Ming, Early-Qing China Geography Dynastic Maps Major Dynasties of Chinese History Footbinding	Ebrey, China, chs. 8-9
January 19/21: Kangxi and Qianlong Qing emperors Jesuit Missionaries to China: Matteo Ricci Father Johann Adam Schall Von Bell Painting of the Forbidden City	Ebrey, CC, chs. ?????. Spence, Emperor of China.
January 26/28: The Opium War Intrusion of the West Canton Factories Commissioner Lin Destroys Opium Scenes from the Opium War Henry Pottinger China in the Western Imagination: The Qing Court and Kowtowing The Summer Palace	Ebrey, CC, chs. ????
February 2/4: Taiping Rebellion and Qing Restoration	Ebrey, CC, chs. ????
February 9/11: Late-Qing Reform and Revolution	Ebrey, China, ch. 10.
February 16/18: The Republic and Its Collapse	Ebrey, CC, chs. ??????.
February 23/25: Guomindang Consolidation	Buck, The Good Earth.
March 2/4: Review and First Exam
March 7/9: Spring Break
March 16/18: The Long March	Spence, Mao Zedong.
March 23/25: WWII	Ebrey, CC, chs. ?????
March 30/April 1: The PRC and the Korean War	Ebrey, China, ch. 11. Ebrey, CC, chs. ????
April 6/8: Great Leap Forward and Beyond The Cultural Revolution Nixon's Visit	Ebrey, CC, chs.
April 13/15: Deng Xiaoping's Revolution Tiananmen	Ebrey, CC, chs. ?????
April 20: China's Economic Miracle	Li, Beijing.
April 22: Last Exam

History of Modern China
(HIST 3630-001)
TTh 11:00-12:15
Brewster B-205

John A. Tucker, Ph.D.
Brewster A-317
Office Hours 11:00-1:00
or by appointment
Office: 328-1028
Email: Tuckerjo@mail.ecu.edu

Course Description: This course explores the historical transformations that have led to the development of modern China. The course opens with an examination of the Qing dynasty, the last major dynasty in Chinese history, and then explores the forces, internal and external, driving China toward a major revolution in the twentieth century. After surveying the rivalry between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Guomindang (GMD) Party, the course focuses on the emergence of the People's Republic of China, from the Mao years through the Deng Xiaoping-Jiang Zemin era. While the course focuses primarily on the mainland, i.e., traditional China geo-culturally speaking, attention is devoted to exploring "Chinas" at other levels, such as the Republic of China (Taiwan), Singapore, and overseas communities where Chinese history and culture remain strong forces.

Grading: Grading will be based on two exams (25% each). The first exam will be given on Thursday March 4; the last exam, on Thursday, April 22. Exams will include objective (true/false, multiple choice) questions. However, at least 70% of the exam will consist of essay questions.

Quizzes will be given frequently throughout the semester to facilitate mastery of detail. These will combine objective and short-essay questions. Collectively they will count for 20% of the final grade.

While the instructor will lecture regularly, class participation in the form of insightful questions and comments, are welcomed. Readings will be discussed weekly. Student contributions to class discussions will count for 15% of the final grade.

A brief writing assignment on the required readings will also count for 15% of the final grade.

Perfect attendance is expected. Repeated unexcused absences may result in a reduction of the final grade.

Course Objectives: As a foundations course in the ECU curriculum, this course will ensure that students learn the subject matter of the discipline of history as it pertains to the study of modern Chinese history. Students will also learn the research methodology, principles, and concepts required to understand and conduct undergraduate-level research in modern Chinese history. Students will also learn about the discipline’s contribution to general knowledge about modern China, as well as the relevance of historical scholarship to the student’s overall education and to matters outside the discipline.

Required Readings:

Pearl Buck. The Good Earth. Pocket Books, 2005.

Patricia Buckley Ebrey and Kwang-ching Liu. Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Patricia Buckley Ebrey. Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook. Free Press, 1993.

Lillian Li. Beijing: From Imperial Capital to Olympic City. Palgrave, 2008.

Jonathan Spence. Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of K’ang-hsi. Vintage, 1988.

Jonathan Spence. Mao Zedong: A Life. Penguin, 2006.

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, in Slay 138, to verify the disability before any accommodations can occur. The telephone number is 252-737-1016.