HY2206
China’s Imperial Past: History and Culture
What is HY2206?
We are an exposure course that offers an introduction to the major historical and cultural themes of traditional China from the earliest known periods up until the eighteenth century. The module exposes students to a long-term historical approach to understanding China and equips students with concrete skills in historical reasoning, research, and writing. Each lecture starts from a specific contemporary issue that has a deep historical or cultural root in the imperial era. Meanwhile, tutorial sessions train students in the most fundamental skill for historians—making convincing arguments based on critical analysis of primary sources—by engaging with texts on a range of topics, such as political philosophy, wars, economy, romance, etc. Students are encouraged to combine their interests and strengths to design unique group and individual creative projects. At the very least, students can expect to come away from the module with a holistic understanding of how China’s 2000 years of imperial history remains relevant to today’s world. For many, the class offers a unique experience that foregrounds active, interactive, and fun learning!
Meet Your Instructor(s)
A/P Wang Jinping is a social and cultural historian of Middle Period China (roughly from the nineth to the fifteenth centuries). Her primary research interests center on long-term political, social, and cultural change in the north under alternating Chinese and non-Chinese rules. Other interests include Chinese religions, imperial empires, and traditional media like stone steles and printing. She is passionate about teaching and believes in the importance of communication in effective teaching and learning. She is excited to know you (students in the class) and hopes to have yet another awesome semester of teaching and learning imperial China with you.