
- UCAS course code
- T100
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Ideas and Ideologies in Chinese Civilisation
Unit code | CHIN30401 |
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Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | Chinese Studies |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This course unit examines the most crucial ideas and ideologies that have helped shape Chinese civilisation over the past three millennia, core ideas that continue to influence global society today through translation and inspiration. Each teaching week is focused on one canonical text from Chinese history, from the earliest written records up to the end of the last imperial dynasty in 1912, supplemented with relevant scholarship. Each week we explore how Chinese thinkers of the past generated ideas to address key questions of the human condition, including: What makes a moral person? How should society be ordered? What lessons can we learn from history? How is spiritual awakening to be attained? How can we modernise a nation without losing touch with the past? Through a better understanding of the key ideas that have been generated in response to these, we can better appreciate the diversity of Chinese culture as well as the shared humanity of all cultures. We also consider the impact that we as scholars of Chinese history can have in the present day through actualising these discussions in our lives. Although all texts are read in English translation, students with sufficient Chinese ability have the option of consulting the original texts as well.
Aims
Provide students with a sound understanding of key ideas in the history of Chinese civilisation, and the various ways in which these ideas have influenced human history
Foster greater awareness of the diversity of Chinese culture and the shared experience across different world cultures
Provide students with an opportunity to engage with primary Chinese-language source material in conjunction with English-language secondary sources
Improve students’ ability to express complex ideas in oral and written form
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of this course students will be able to: |
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Intellectual skills
By the end of this course students will be able to: |
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Practical skills
By the end of this course students will be able to: |
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Assessment methods
Assessment Task | Weighting within unit |
Essay Plan | Formative |
Reading Journals | 10% |
Midterm Essay | 40% |
Final Exam | 50% |
Feedback methods
Regular oral feedback on contributions to class discussion
Written feedback on essay plan, written feedback on essay
Recommended reading
Indicative Reading |
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Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Lectures | 11 |
Seminars | 22 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 167 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Gregory Scott | Unit coordinator |