Not offered 2007-2008
CHIN 223 Ethnic Minorities in China: Past and Present (Same as Anthropology 223) *
By 2000, of the 1.3 billion population of China, more than 100 million were ethnic minorities (shaoshu minzu). Most of these reside in autonomous regions and districts, which constitute 64% of China's total acreage. This course introduces students to the multiethnic aspect of China's past and present. We will address topics such as the minority-group identification project; the definition of minzu; government policy toward and the current situation of the fifty-five official ethnic minority groups; historical sino-centric views about "foreigners" and "barbarians"; ideas of "diversity," "unity," and "sinicization"; and the roles that "barbarians" have played in China's long history. All readings will be in English.
Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based on in-class participation and presentations, two short response papers, one mid-term, and one final paper.
No prerequisites. No knowledge of Chinese language required, though students with Chinese language background are encouraged to work with Chinese sources if they wish. No enrollment limit (expected: 15). Open to all. Satisfies one semester of Division II distribution requirement.