BA Ancient History and History

This course is a broad survey of China’s last two imperial dynasties – the Ming and the Qing (1400  

to 1800), a most important period as it helps shaped not just modern China.  We study Ming-Qing  

politics, assess its socio-economic and cultural developments; we also explore the factors that led to the collapse of these two states.  

What makes this module unique and attractive is that it highlights Ming-Qing China’s interaction with Southeast Asia, Inner Asia, and Europe. The story of late imperial China is told in the larger context of world history, from the expulsion of the Mongols to the heyday of the East India Company.  

to acquire a broad knowledge and understanding of late imperial China from 1400 to 1800, its achievements and failures

to consider the importance of China’s global interactions through trade, diplomacy and religion

to examine the impact of these interactions  Chinese polities, economy, culture and societies, and to a lesser extent on other parts of the world

to analyse these changes in seminars, to research and write essays on their interaction and evaluate their enduring impact

to inform and make responsible global citizens who understands origins and complexities of today’s world 

 A combination of lecture and seminars consisting of primary sources analysis, small, large group and open discussions. 

of major historical events, trends, processes and history-makers of Ming-Qing China

of major paradigms and methodologies relevant to the study of late imperial China  

of globalisation from Chinese domestic, Asia-regional and global perspectives

of new perspectives and developments in the study of Ming-Qing China 

ability to critically evaluate of China’s interaction on the dawn of great change that would shape the modern world

ability to critically discuss China’s political, socio-economic and cultural change against a background of regional and global transformation 

digest learning through a combination of lectures and readings

articulate and discuss learning in an informed manner in class

navigate effectively the wide range of resources, especially online materials, available and be able to use them in seminars and essay research/writing

plan, research and write effective essays and long essays 

analytical skills as the module help students gain a better understanding of early modern Europe, its complicated relations with China and the world

public speaking skill as the module encourages student to engage with fellow students in seminars and discussions

writing, argument-making and sustaining skills as a result of essay research and writing through feedback 

Critical Analysis: 40%

Essay: 60%

Written feedback and individual discussion (by appointment) for critical analysis - summative

Written feedback and individual discussion (by appointment)  for essay - summative

 Zhang Yangwen, China on the Sea: how the Maritime World Shaped Modern China (Boston: Brill 2011)

Ray Huang, 1587, a Year of No Significance: the Ming Dynasty in Decline (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1981)  

Dorothy Ko, Teachers of the Inner Chambers: Women and Culture in Seventeenth-century China (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1994)

Peter C. Perdue, China Marches West: the Qing Conquest of Central Eurasia (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2005)

Philip Kuhn, Soulstealers: The Chinese Sorcery Scare of 1768 (Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1990)

Maxine Berg, Luxury and Pleasure in Eighteenth-Century Britain (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005)

Kenneth Pomeranz, The Great Divergence: China, Europe, and the Making of the Modern World Economy (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000)