Course Description, Prerequisites, and Corequisites:
This course provides an interpretive account of China’s interactions with the world before 19th century. The course will concentrate on the political, economic and social impacts of foreigners on China and China’s responses to the Western challenge. While chronological, we will follow a thematic approach.
1. Identify and describe trends of early China’s contact with the outside world
2. Explain the major issues relating to the development of Western imperialism in China in the
nineteenth century
3. Compare and assess various debates and interpretations concerning the history of interaction
between China and the Western powers.
4. Analyze the causes and effects of historical conflicts in the relationship between China and the West.
5. Outline and assess the historical and cultural factors before the 20th century that impact recent.
events and relationships in the Asian region and beyond.
6. Lead group discussions and articulate their viewpoints clearly
7. Collect, interpret, evaluate, and cite information from academic references and sources
