History of China

general courses
obligatory courses

Obligatory course for first-year students of sinology.

Classroom

The goal of the course is to present the most important developments and processes in the history of China until the second decade of the 21st century.

The goal of the course is to present the students with the most important developments and processes in the history of China until the contemporary times, from the first human settlements on the territory of modern China in the prehistoric times, through the forming of more developed communities in the predynastic era, to the formation of the earliest state-like entities. This part of the course will also include a discussion on the forming of a distinct civilization on the territory of China during the bronze age. During the lectures the students will learn about the successive Chinese dynasties and historical periods, and the formation of the political, administrative, social and economic institutions. A discussion on the development of Chinese political and social thought in the successive historical eras will also be presented. Also, the topic of historical contacts between the Chinese civilization and other cultures during the various historical stages will be explored, including the question of rule over China, or parts of it, by cultures from outside the traditional cultural China. The lectures will include discussion of the following dynasties and periods: Zhou dynasty, the Warring States period, the unification under the Qin dynasty, Han dynasty, three kingdoms period, Jin dynasty, northern and southern dynasties, unification under the Sui dynasty and the rule of the Tang dynasty, the five dynasties and ten kingdoms period, the Song dynasty rule, the creation of non-Chinese states of Liao, Jin, Western Xia on parts of the modern Chinese territory, the Mongol conquest and the Yuan rule, with a special emphasis on the Yuan institutions, culture and place in the Chinese history, the Ming rule, the Manchu conquest and the Qing rule, with a special emphasis on the characteristics of the Qing rule, Qing territorial conquests and their influence on the modern Chinese borders. The formation of modern Chinese ethnic and national identity under the Qing will also be discussed in the later part of the course. The course will conclude with lectures on the history of China in the Republican era (1912-1949) and during the People’s Republic of China, until present time.

1. Selected chapters from The Cambridge History of China, vols. I, III, VI-X.

2. Blunden C., Elvin M. Chiny, przekład z ang. Mieczysław Jerzy Künstler, Warszawa : Świat Książki, 1997.

3. Fairbank J.K. Historia Chin, nowe spojrzenie, przekład z ang. T. Lechowska, Z. Słupski, Gdańsk 1996.

4. Gernet J. Chiny starożytne, tłum. M. J. Kunstler, 1966.

5. Granet M, Cywilizacja chińska, przekład Mieczysław Jerzy Künstler, Wyd. 2, Warszawa 1995.

6. Pawłowski J. Państwo we wczesnej filozofii konfucjańskiej, Warszawa 2010.

7. Pimpaneau J. Chiny. Kultura i tradycje, Warszawa 2001.

8. Rodziński W., Historia Chin wyd. II, Wrocław 1992.

9. Sidichmienow W., Ostatni cesarze Chin, tłum. J. Abkowicz i R. Sławiński, Katowice 1990.

10. Słupski Z. Wczesne piśmiennictwo chińskie, Warszawa, 2001.

11. Słupski Z. Wczesne piśmiennictwo chińskie, wybór tekstów, Warszawa, 2004.

12. Spence J., The Search for Modern China, Norton, 1991.

13. Sy-ma Ts ́ien. Syn Smoka. Fragmenty zapisków historyka. Przekład Mieczysław Jerzy Künstler, Warszawa, 2000 The extended bibliography will be provided during the lectures.

Knowledge:

- has basic knowledge in the range of theory of humanities (literary studies or linguistics or history) necessary to understand chosen cultural aspects K_W04, H1A_W03, H1A_W07

- has detailed and organized knowledge of history of China and Taiwan K_W06, H1A_W04

- has detailed and organized knowledge of socio-cultural issues in China and Taiwan within the scope of natural environment and ethnic, demographic and political situation K_W09, H1A_W04

- has organized knowledge of natural, geopolitical and economic environment and their importance for the historical and contemporary situation of China and Taiwan K_W11, H1A_W04

- knows and understands basic analysis and interpretation methods of various products of culture characteristic of chosen theories and schools of research within the scope of cultural and literary studies, linguistics, philosophy and religion studies and history K_W18, H1A_W07

Skills:

-can indicate sources of cultural differences between the countries of the Orient or Africa K_U02, H1A_U05

- can use the knowledge of history of China and Taiwan to analyze and interpret events taking place in the modern world K_U04, H1A_U02, H1A_U05

- can appropriately place China and Taiwan in the context of circumstances pertinent to natural, geopolitical and economic environment K_U05, H1A_U05

- can use the knowledge of socio-cultural issues of China and Taiwan in typical professional situations K_U09, H1A_U04

- has a skill in presenting detailed aspects within the scope of cultural issues of China and Taiwan in Polish and in standard modern Chinese taking into consideration the intellectual tradition of China K_U21, H1A_U09

Social competences:

-understands the need to learn all one’s life K_K01, H1A_K01

- can set appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activity K_K04, H1A_K03 - has awareness of the cultural distinctness and its religious, philosophical, traditional and historical roots and its significance for understanding modern world K_K05, H1A_K04, H1A_K05

- sees the need of dialogue between cultures K_K06, H1A_K04, H1A_K05

- is aware of significance the culture of China has for the culture of the world K_K07, H1A_K05

- acts in aid of sharing and promoting cultural and linguistic heritage of China K_K08, H1A_K05, H1A_K06

Grade based on a written test exam, based on the knowledge gained during the lectures and from the assigned literature. Test exam in the winter semester comprises of a 30 single-choice test (ABCD), a minimum passing score of 16 points. Points won translate into marks according to the following scheme:

16-18 pts. - satisfactory (3)

19-21 pts. - satisfactory+ (3+) 22-24 pts. - good (4)

25-27 pts. - good+ (4+) 28-30 pts. - very good (5)

The final test exam in the summer session comprises 70 single choice tests (ABCD) - the score is summed with points gained during the winter session exam producing a total possible score of 100 points. A minimum passing score is 61 points. Points won translate into marks according to the following scheme:

0-60 pts. - unsatisfactory (2) 61-68 pts. - satisfactory (3) 69-76 pts. - satisfactory+ (3+) 77-84 pts. - good (4)

85-92 pts. - good+ (4+) 92-100 pts. very good (5)