CHIN 224(F) Cultural Foundations: The Literature and History of Early China (Same as Comparative Literature 220 and History 315)*

The early history of China witnessed many of humankind's most influential accomplishments, from the development of a civil bureaucracy to the invention of printing, the compass, and gunpowder. It also saw the composition and spread of literary works and styles that continue to be both read and emulated up to the present day not only in China but throughout the world. The acute awareness of early history and literature that runs through modern Chinese culture, in its many manifestations and locales, is arguably unrivaled in the modern world. To understand modern China, one must understand the past that continues to shape it today. The traditional view in China was that "literature, history and philosophy cannot be separated." Accordingly, this course will look at both the history and literature of China from the 2nd millennium B.C. to the late 13th century A.D. In a typical week we will first read and discuss scholarship on the history and culture of a given historical period. In the following class we will read selections of primary writings (in English translation) from the same period and analyze them in their historical and cultural context. These writings will range from poems and short narratives to philosophical works and political tracts. Our goal is to understand not only what modern scholarship says about early China, but what the people living in that period and culture had to say about themselves and their world. All readings in English.
Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: three short papers (5-7 pages), and final exam. Participation in class discussions expected.
No prerequisites. No enrollment limit (expected: 15). Open to all.

Hour: NUGENT