EAC 150L

China Through Western Eyes

Spring 2008

 

COURSE INTRODUCTION AND SYLLABUS

 

Meeting Time/Place:      TUES and THUR, 11:45 AM-1:05 PM, EDU 120

Instructor:                     Prof. Jim Hargett; Office: HU 254C, 442-4233

                                    E-mail: Jim_Harget@yahoo.com

Office Hours:                TUES and THUR, 4:15-5:15 PM (or by appointment)

Recommended text:       Colin, Mackerras, Western Images of China (second edition; ISBN 0-19-590738-8). Relevant sections from this book are available on ERES, so you do NOT have to buy a copy. The ERES password for this class is “CHINA”.

 

Course Description and Introduction: The main concern of this course is the Western “discovery” and occasional “rediscovery” of China from the late thirteenth century to the present. The basic premise of the class is this: Westerners--defined here as Americans and Europeans--have always “seen” China through a uniquely Western perspective. In other words, our own cultural background to a large extent “programs” how we see China and all things Chinese. Our goal in this class is to isolate, discuss, and define the most persistent images of China in the West and how these images have developed and changed over time. The sources we use will vary. For instance, we will consider written records left by some famous Western visitors to China, including Marco Polo and the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), as well as the film version (1939) of Pearl Buck’s novel The Good Earth. We will also look at some films/videos that feature various stereotypes of China and its people. This approach--that is, looking comparatively at Western images of China as they have developed over the last seven centuries--will allow you to observe and better understand the origins and implications of Western stereotypes of non-Western cultures, especially China.

 

The course is organized as follows: Students will first complete a reading assignment, such as a chapter in Mackerras’ Western Images of China, or observe a video presentation, such as Mark Salzman’s Iron and Silk. Class meetings will be devoted to (1) presentation of background information related to the reading assignment or film; and (2) active, open discussion of specific topics and questions related to the readings.

 

By examining “China Through Western Eyes” you will have an opportunity to explore the actual sources of understanding (or misunderstanding) between two very different cultures. Our discussions and written assignments will attempt to reveal how and why these perceptions (or misperceptions) affect understanding between China and the West. It is hoped that, after completing this course, students will look at themselves in relation to non-Western cultures with a keener, critical eye; one that will look beyond stereotypes and distortions for truth and understanding.

 

Prerequisites: None. This is a survey course open to anyone.

 

GenEd: This class satisfies the GenEd Global Perspectives requirement.

 

Requirements: In addition to quizzes, a midterm and a final examination, students will be required to write three (one page, typed) “think” papers related to our assignments and classroom discussions.

 

Grading: Your final grade will be determined by (1) your attendance, your preparation, and your contributions to class discussions (20%); (2) your average grade on the three “think” papers (20%); (3) your average grade on the quizzes (20%; these quizzes, based on the reading assignments, will be unannounced; (4) your grade on the mid-term exam (20%); and (5) your grade on the final exam (20%).

 

Attendance and Makeups: Students are expected to attend all classes. Attendance will be taken. If you fail to sign the attendance sheet (passed around at the start of each class meeting), you will be considered absent for that day. Two absences are allowed without penalty. An additional two class cuts beyond the allotted two absences will result in a “plus”/”minus” reduction in the final grade. In other words, if you cut four classes and earn a “B” in the course, your final grade will be B-; six class cuts would get you a C+, and so on. Makeups for missed quizzes or exams will be given only if the absence was due to a documented medical or personal emergency, which is confirmed in writing (to me) by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Do not call or email me after an exam and tell me you were too sick to take the test! Late think papers will not be accepted for any reason.

 

Academic Integrity: The discovery of any cheating (including plagiarism or shared work of any kind) on an exam or written assignment will result in (1) immediate expulsion from the course with a failing grade; and (2) a report to appropriate SUNY officials. Appeals may be made through appropriate channels.

 

How to do well in this course: (1) carefully read and prepare reading assignments before class; (2) attend class regularly and take detailed notes; (3) actively participate in classroom discussions (this means raise your hand and participate!); and (4) always bring a copy of the day’s reading assignment to class (most of our class discussions will concern readings in Western Images of China).

 

CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS (EAC 150L)

 

THUR 24 Jan:                   Introductory.

TUES 29 Jan:                            Lecture and discussion: The Big Picture, 3000 Years of Chinese History, Part 1.

THUR 31 Jan:                           Lecture and discussion: The Big Picture, 3000 Years of Chinese History, Part 2. The question for think paper #1 will be given out today.

TUES  5 Feb:                     Guest lecture (topic TBA)

THUR 7 Feb:                     Before class read: Western Images of China, Introduction, 1-11.

Think Paper #1 is due today. Your paper should be one page in length, typed on white paper, with one-inch margins all around. Class discussion of images, truth, power, and blind beggars groping at elephants.

TUES 12 Feb:                           Video: Misunderstanding China (1972). Produced by CBS News; narrated by Charles Kuralt.

THUR 14 Feb:                   Class discussion of the Kuralt documentary. Think Paper #2 is due   today.

TUES 19 Feb:                    No class (President’s Day)

THUR 21 Feb:                   Read: Western Images of China, 15-27 (Early Western Images of China, and Introduction to The Beijing Qingming Scroll and Its Significance for the Study of Chinese History (available on ERES). Video presentation: City of Cathay.

TUES 26 Feb:                    Lecture and discussion of the Song dynasty (960-1279) and the           Qingming Scroll.

THUR 28 Feb:                   Read Chapter 5 (From Peking to Amoy) in The Travels of Marco      Polo (ERES). Lecture and discussion of the Yuan   dynasty and       Marco Polo’s account of his visit to China; also read: Western Images     of China, 28-42.

TUES 4 Mar:                     Lecture and discussion of Jesuit activities in China, focusing on the      missionary Matteo Ricci. Read: Early Missionaries notes (ERES)

THUR 6 Mar:                    Read: Western Images of China, 43-65 (Nineteenth-Century             Imperialism and China). Lecture and discussion of major nineteenth-        century personalities and events that shaped Western ideas/images                                          about China.

TUES 11 Mar:                   Midterm examination.

THUR 13 Mar:                  Read: Western Images of China, 91-109 (Sixteenth to Mid-   Twentieth Century Images of the Past).

TUES 18 Mar:                   Read: Western Images of China, 110-125 (The Lack of Change); 126-           149 (China’s Pre-Modern History).

THUR 20 Mar:                  Read: Western Images of China, 150-171 (Post-War Images of         Modern Chinese History).

TUES 25 Mar:                   No class (Spring Break)

THUR 27 Mar:                  No class (Spring Break)

TUES 1 Apr:                     Movie: The Good Earth, Part 1; read Western Images of China, 175-           192 (Contemporary Images).

THUR 3 Apr:                    The Good Earth (conclusion).

TUES 8 Apr:                     Discussion of The Good Earth.

THUR 10 Apr:                   China in Hollywood: From Charlie Chan to Jackie Chan.

TUES 15 Apr:                    Movie: Iron and Silk, Part 1.           

THUR 17 Apr:                   Movie: Iron and Silk (conclusion)    

TUES 22 Apr:                    Discussion of Iron and Silk. Think Paper #3 is due today.

THUR 24 Apr:                   Lecture and discussion: Cultural Revolution, Ping-pong Diplomacy,      Deng Xiaoping, Capitalism in China. Read: Western Images of China,            175-192 (Contemporary Images of China, 1949-1966); and 193-208                                          (Contemporary Images of the Cultural Revolution, 1966-1976)

TUES 29 Apr:                    Lecture and discussion: Human Rights, Intellectual Property. Read                  Western Images of China, 209-224 (Western Post-1976 Images and             the Past); 225-245 (Images of Past-1976 China, I: Politics and                                          Economy); and 246-261 (Images of Past-1976 China, II: Society,         Overall Views).

THUR 1 May:                   Movie: A Great Wall            .

TUES 6 May:                    Movie: A Great Wall (conclusion and discussion).     

                                        

Final Examination:  Thursday 15 May, 8:00-10:00 AM (morning!) in EDU 120 (our usual classroom). Please do not ask to take the exam early. Everyone in the class must take the exam on 15 May.