This course, instructed by Dr. Jingyu Xue, explores the development of Chinese civilization from neolithic times to the present, covering various aspects including geography, philosophy, religion, and culture. Students will engage in lectures and discussions, with a focus on active participation and completion of readings posted on Canvas. Assessments include homework, presentations, written projects, and two non-cumulative exams, with strict attendance and academic honesty policies enforced.

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Course Syllabus
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Chinese 10: Chinese Civilization
Instructor:
Dr. Jingyu Xue
Email:
[email protected]
Class Hours:
W 3:45-6:55 pm, Room R219
Office Hours:
before and after class, or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course traces the development of Chinese civilization, one
of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, from Neolithic
times down to the present. It covers the study of Chinese
geography, philosophy, religion, political environment, social
relations, family and gender roles, literature, art and drama.
Classes will be a combination of lecture and discussion, and
students are expected to participate in classroom discussion in
order to better understand the rich heritage and full complexity

2. of Chinese culture.
This class will be taught entirely in English. No prior
knowledge of Chinese language or culture is required.
TEXTBOOK:
All required readings will be posted on Canvas.
Recommended textbook:
Ebrey, Patricia.
The Cambridge Illustrated History of China, 2nd
edition.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After the completion of this course, students will be able to
perform the following tasks:
Describe the major geographic features of China.
Describe the historical contributions of important people in
Chinese history.
Explain at least two aspects of Chinese culture and aesthetic
tradition.
Analyze various religious influences in China.
Compare/ contrast the differences between the Western and
Chinese cultures in family, artistic, and philosophical values.

3. REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory and factored into your participation
grade. A student who arrives more than 10 minutes late or
leaves more than 10 minutes early will be marked as half-
absence. More than 1 unexcused absence will adversely affect
your participation grade (10 points out of 100 will be subtracted
for each absence). Any student who is absent 3 times in a row
will be dropped from the class. An appropriate document is
required for all excused absences.
All required readings will be posted on Canvas
. Students are expected to complete reading the assigned texts
before coming to each class. It is very important to keep up with
the weekly reading assignments and come to class with your
textbooks and notes. By doing so, you will be better prepared to
participate in class discussion
Active and informed participation in class discussion is
required. The final grade can be raised or lowered a few points
based on participation. Also, answers to all the exam questions
will be addressed during class lectures and discussion. Please be
sure to pay close attention and take careful notes. Please turn
off all cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices during
our class sessions.
Academic Honesty
. All written assignments must be original work put in an
individual student’s own words. They can never be copied from
another student, and be sure to carefully paraphrase any
information taken from books or internet sources, rather than
directly copying them. All sources must be properly
documented.

4. ASSIGNMENTS:
Homework assignments
. Homework assignments will be posted on Canvas after each
class. Please be sure to submit your homework on time.
Half credit will be given to all late assignments.
Team presentation
. Students will be divided into groups of 2-3, and each group
will perform a 15-minute presentation on a specific topic on
Chinese culture. A list of possible topics will be posted later in
the semester. Students can use PowerPoint or any other
preferred format of presentation (posters, real objects, video
clips no more than 2-minute long, etc). The students who miss
the delivery of assigned presentation topic will forfeit their
team presentation points.
Written projects.
There will be 2 written projects throughout the semester. Due
dates and topics will be announced and posted on Canvas.
EXAMS:
There will be one mid-term exam and one final exam on the
dates indicated in the syllabus. The exams are not cumulative.
There will be no make-ups for the exams. Only a medical
excuse signed by a doctor will be accepted in order to take an
exam late.
GRADING:
Participation 10%
Homework and quizzes 15%

5. Written Projects 20%
Presentation 15%
Mid-term exam 20%
Final exam 20%
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
(subject to change during the semester):
2/19: Introduction to the course, Chinese geography and
timeline
2/26: Philosophical Foundations I: Confucianism
Recommended reading: Chapter 2: Philosophical Foundations:
The Eastern Zhou Period, p. 38-47
3/4: Philosophical Foundations II: Daoism
Recommended reading: Chapter 2: Philosophical Foundations:
The Eastern Zhou Period, p. 47-59
3/11: Philosophical Foundations III: Legalism and the Creation
of the Empire
Recommended reading: Chapter 3: The Creation of the
Bureaucratic Empire, p. 60-85
3/18: Religion I: Buddhism
Recommended reading: Chapter 4: Buddhism, Aristocracy, and
Alien Rulers: The Age of Division, p. 86-100

6. 3/25: Religion II: Daoist Religion
,
Yijing Divination
Recommended reading: Chapter 4: Buddhism, Aristocracy, and
Alien Rulers: The Age of Division, p. 100-107
4/1: Midterm Review
4/8: Midterm Exam
4/22: Family and Gender Roles
Recommended reading: Chapter 5: A Cosmopolitan Empire: The
Tang Dynasty, p. 108-135
4/29: Fine Arts
Recommended reading: Chapter 6: Shifting South: The Song
Dynasty, p. 136-163
5/6: Architecture and Fengshui
Recommended reading: Chapter 8: The Limits of Autocracy:
The Ming Dynasty, p. 190-219
5/13: Chinese Food and Tea Culture
5/20: Theories and Practices of Chinese Medicine
Recommended reading: Chapter 9: Manchus and Imperialism:
The Qing Dynasty, p. 220-261
5/27: Fashion and Clothing
6/3: Student Presentation (Cont.), Review for the final

7. 6/10: Final Exam