This course uses a cultural historical approach to examine the question of Chinese modernity. It focuses on the processes, technologies, and social agents that transformed Chinese culture in the tumultuous period from the first Opium War in 1842 to the 1949 Communist Revolution. The course begins with an introduction to cultural historical methodology. We read key theoretical works in this field, most of which are focused on European or North American history. We then study how scholars of China have applied, adapted, or elaborated on this methodology in their studies of late imperial (1842-1911) and Republican China (1912-1949).
Prerequisites: AP/HIST 2710 6.00 or AP/HIST 3760 6.00 or AP/HIST 3761 3.00 or AP/HIST 3770 6.00 or AP/HIST 3771 3.00 or AP/HIST 3772 3.00 or AP/HIST 3775 3.00 or AP/HUMA 2420 9.00 or AP/HUMA 2430 9.00 or AP/HUMA 2435 9.00 or AP/HUMA 3500 6.00 or AP/HUMA 3505 3.00 or AP/HUMA 3506 3.00 or AP/HUMA 3510 6.00. Course credit exclusions: None. Open to: History and East Asian Studies Honours Majors and Minors who have successfully completed at least 84 credits.