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The Chinese Mirror
HIST107 SP

Crosslistings: EAST107

This seminar will explore the sources and implications of cultural myths and stereotypes. Readings and discussion will focus on Western images of China, on how they developed over time and on how they affected -- often negatively -- the conduct of foreign relations between China and the West. The most recent American opening toward China will be explored in the light of a long history of image-ladden intercourse between the Central Kingdom and the more modern Western nation-states. Throughout, th e challenge will be to develop a methodology for critical cross-cultural analysis -- an analysis that takes into account the limitations of the observer and the observed. Since the seminar will invariably touch upon the students' own images of foreign cultures, the most basic prerequisite for the course is a willingness to engage in conscientious self-reflection.

MAJOR READINGS

Isaacs, IMAGES OF ASIA Spence, MEMORY PALACE OF MATTEO RICCI Barnett and Fairbank, CHRISTIANITY IN CHINA A.Smith, CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS Spence, TO CHANGE CHINA Garret, THE YMCA IN CHINA Hersey, THE CALL

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students will be expected to write a weekly essay of 1-2 pages, due on Mondays at noon (NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED). In addition, each student will write a longer essay 10-12 pages on some problem, person, or institution covered in the China portion of the PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN BOARD FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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