Chinese history from the decline of the Qing empire to the reforms under the Chinese Communist Party in the late 20th century.

This survey is an overview of modern Chinese history from the late-19th century through the late-20th century. It covers the fall of the Qing dynasty, the emergence of the republican Chinese nation-state, and the rise of the Chinese Communist Party. The course examines topics including imperialism and war, commercialization and urbanization, political and social revolutions, and the contested and debated place of China in the world. In addition to textbook readings, students will also examine primary sources in English translation. These primary sources foreground not only state-level and elite perspectives, but also, importantly, the experiences of everyday people. Students will be graded by their active participation in discussion, regular reading responses, two short papers, midterm exam, and final exam. There are no prerequisites. Instructor bio: Jonathan Tang is a historian of 20th century China with a focus on political and military affairs, and has additional teaching experience in East Asian history, world history, and film. His dissertation, “Mutiny in Hunan: Writing and Rewriting the 'Warlord Era' in Early Republican Chinese History,” was completed at U.C. Berkeley's Department of History, and he also holds degrees from Columbia University and Harvard College. He has taught at Stanford University, San Francisco State University, and the University of San Francisco, and is excited to return to his alma mater.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills