Topics in Early Chinese Civilization II

Undergraduate / Graduate

In this course, we will survey contemporary Western Sinologists' major works concerning early Chinese civilization. For each class we will consider one major scholar who has contributed to our understanding of ancient China, reading one or more of their representative works. Scholars to be considered may include Roger Ames, Sarah Allan, William Baxter, Erica Brindley, Constance Cook, Scott Cook, Lothar von Falkenhausen, Paul Goldin, Marc Kalinowski, Maria Khayutina, Donald Harper, Martin Kern, Mark Lewis, Li Feng, John Major, Dirk Meyer, Michael Nylan, Yuri Pines, Michael Puett, David Schaberg, Roel Sterckx, Wu Hung, and Robin Yates, though not necessarily in that order. All readings will be in English. Students will also be expected to select one scholar not treated in the course, to make a class presentation and to write a term-paper introducing the scholar and her contributions to the field.