Montgomery College

Rockville Campus

History and Political Science Department

Syllabus

Spring 2009

HS 208 (32350) Modern Asia Instructor: Shuping Wan

R 6:30-9:10 Office: Humanities 270

HU 202 Office hours: MWF 8:25-9:55am

R 6:00-6:30pm and appointment

Office phone: 240-567-5024

Department phone: 240-567-5178

Email: shuping.wan@montgomerycollege.edu

Required Textbooks

Ebrey, Walthall, Palais, Modern East Asia: From 1600

Pa Chin, Family

General Course Information:

Brief Course Description: This course is a survey of Asian societies from the sixteenth century to the present. In The Myth of Asia John Steadman has argued that the whole idea of Asia is an invention, since geographically speaking the separation of Asia from Europe makes little sense. We, therefore, will take this argument as the departure point of our investigation. When and why was "Asia" invented? In what ways did similar process of "invention" work in the rest of the world? Why are so many disparate societies grouped under the rubric of "Asia"? Does it continue to make sense to speak of Asia when we contemplate changing global relations in our contemporary world? These are some of the historical problems that form the core of our approach to this course. In addressing concerns raised by these problems, this course will introduce the students not only how "modern Asia" was created by the West but also how Asian societies struggled to create a modernity of their own. This course will concentrate on China, Japan, and India, and will be organized by theme, mostly, but not necessarily chronologically.

Aims and Objectives: This course is designed to introduce to students the social, political, and intellectual changes that have occurred in Asian societies since their confrontation with the modern West. The objectives of this survey are to understand the process of the shaping of modern Asia, to develop students' skill to think critically about the complexity of historical events, and to open a window for students to see alternative versions of modernity that have been imagined and practiced by peoples in Asia.

As an introductory course, HS 208 is designed to meet two broad objectives:

To provide the student with an overview of the historical period, and
To develop critical thinking skills which include, but are not limited to the following:

a) To synthesize information from a variety of sources

b) To distinguish cause from effect and understand the “why” of historical incidents

c) To draw inferences from the historical evidence

d) To distinguish facts from opinions and/or conclusions

e) To see art and artifacts as equally important as documents and other historical evidence

f) To present coherent and informed oral and written arguments

Course Learning Objectives:

a) To identify important events, institutions, and figures in modern Asian history

b) To generalize society, culture, politics, and economy in Mughal India, Ming/Qing China and Tokugawa Japan

c) To analyze the creation of modern Asia

d) To illustrate the response of Asian societies to Western penetration

e) To compare and contrast nationalism in India, China, and Japan

f) To relate the issue of imperialism to the wartime experience of Japan, China, and countries in South East asia

g) To outline post-WWII political and economic changes in Asia

Assessment:

This is a lecture course, but we will make every effort to maximize class discussion. We will schedule some movies and discussions in the class. These are not optional, and you are responsible for their contents. All assigned readings should be completed prior to the class. Your course grade will be determined on the basis of a short essay (5 points), a book review (20 points), a mid-term (30 points), and a final exam (45 points). The short essay is a summary of Chs. 19-21. The book review is a historical analysis of Pa Chin’s novel Family. The detailed requirements will be discussed in the class. You are welcome to discuss your ideas with the instructor before you start to write the review. The mid-term consists of ten multiple choices (1 point each), five identifications (2 points each) and one short essay question (10 points); the final exam consists of fifteen multiple choices (1 point each), five identifications (2 points each) and two essay questions (10 points each).

Grading:

A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F= 59 or less.

Make-up Policy: If exceptional circumstances necessitate student absence on the day of the mid-term/final exam, the student should contact the instructor prior to the exam and timely submit a written request for a make-up exam. Otherwise, you may receive an F for the course grade.

Late work Policy: You are required to turn in all assignments prior to the class in the day indicated in the syllabus. Late work will be penalized 20% a day. Please remember that the instructor does not accept any paper though email, and that the absence does not excuse the student from paper due dates.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is required. You are allowed to have three unexcused absences in the whole semester. Excessive unexcused absences may result in your involuntary withdrawal from the course or a reduced grade.

In addition, it is your responsibility to understand collegewide policies concerning academic honesty and classroom conduct. You can find the relevant information in Collegewide Policies and Procedures Manual. [http:www.mc.cc.md.us/]

Student who has a disability might want to contact the Disability Support Services office (CAB 122) and to obtain an authorizing letter for accommodations. Please feel free to talk to the instructor in regard to necessary arrangements.

Course Schedule:

Week 1 Jan. 29 Introduction to the Course

Asia before Europe

Silk Road

Week 2 Feb. 5 Early Modern Asia

Mughal India

Qing China, Tokugawa Japan, Late Choson

Coming of the Barbarians

Ebrey, Chs. 16-18

Week 3 Feb. 12 Collapse of Mughal and Qing

Ch. 19

Summary due on Feb. 12

Week 4 Feb. 19 Emergence of Modern Japan

Chs. 20-22

Meiji Period

Week 5 Feb. 26 Nationalism in Asia

Gandhi

Week 6 Mar. 5 Remaking China

Ch. 23

Week 7 Mar. 12 Mid-term

Week 8 Mar. 19 Spring Break

Week 9 Mar. 26 Japan's Drive toward Modernization

Chs. 24-25

Sandakan #8

Week 10 Apr. 2 Asia at War

Ebrey, Chs. 26, 30

In the Name of the Emperor

book review due on Apr. 2

Week 11 Apr. 9 Cold War in Asia

Vietnam War

Week 12 Apr. 16 Post-war Japan

Ebrey, Chs. 27, 31

Week 13 Apr. 23 Marxism and the Chinese Revolution

Ch. 28

Week 14 Apr. 30 “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”

Ebrey, Ch. 29

Chinese Capitalism

Week 15 May 7 Asia in the Era of Global Capitalism

Modern Heroes, Modern Slaves

Final Exam May 14 (R) 7:15-9:15pm