36
History of East and South East Asia
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide the basic notions and methodological tools for the study of Chinese history, from remote antiquity to the birth of the Republic (1912). On the one hand, it will outline the fundamental events relating to the individual predynastic and dynastic periods, emphasizing from time to time the prominent aspects of institutions, economics, politics and society; on the other, it will examine some specific topics relating to basic concepts and notions that are indispensable for the study of Chinese history and its understanding. The educational objective of the course is to provide a basic preparation on the ancient history of China, so as to enable the student to correctly approach the study of other area subjects. The aim is to stimulate the critical spirit and judgment skills of the students through frequent references to European history and contemporary events.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The student must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the general issues related to the political, social, economic and thought history of the Chinese empire.
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Independent judgment:
Students must have the ability to manage the skills acquired with a critical attitude and independent judgment and formulate evaluations even on the basis of limited or incomplete data.
Communication skills:
Students must be able to clearly communicate the result of the knowledge acquired and effectively use the methodological tools acquired.
Learning skills:
Students must have developed the skills necessary to undertake further studies with a good degree of autonomy.
Course Prerequisites
None.
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons. For each lesson, specific reference materials will be communicated in advance, in order to allow students attending to consult them in advance and actively participate in the class discussion.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of an oral interview; the evaluation is expressed in thirtieths and will take into account the following parameters: completeness of information, correct use of terminology, ability to analyze and summarize the contents.
The exam will be held in Italian, with the possibility of choosing English upon request of the examinee.
Texts
9 CREDITS:
- D. Guida, La Cina Antica. Dalle origini mitiche fino alla dinastia Tang. Le Monnier Università, 2025.
- K. Vogelsang, Cina. Una storia millenaria. Einaudi, 2014. PAGES 246-450.
- A. Cheng, Storia del pensiero cinese. VOLUME I. Einaudi, 2000.
+ one reading chosen among the following titles:
- V. Bianchi. Marco Polo. Storia del mercante che capì la Cina. Laterza 2008.
- I. Miyazaki. L'inferno degli esami. Bollati Boringhieri, 1988.
- T. Brook, La mappa della Cina del signor Selden. Einaudi, 2016.
- J. Spence, Il libro del tradimento. Adelphi, 2006.
- J. Lovell, La guerra dell'oppio e la nascita della Cina moderna. Einaudi 2022.
8 CREDITS:
- D. Guida, La Cina Antica. Dalle origini mitiche fino alla dinastia Tang. Le Monnier Università, 2025.
- K. Vogelsang, Cina. Una storia millenaria. Einaudi, 2014. PAGES 246-450.
- A. Cheng, Storia del pensiero cinese. VOLUME I. Einaudi, 2000.
6 CREDITS:
- D. Guida, La Cina Antica. Dalle origini mitiche fino alla dinastia Tang. Le Monnier Università, 2025.
- K. Vogelsang, Cina. Una storia millenaria. Einaudi, 2014. PAGES 246-335.
- A. Cheng, Storia del pensiero cinese. VOLUME I. Einaudi, 2000.
For a list of reference texts in English, please contact the teacher.
Contents
The course will provide a general introduction to pre-imperial and imperial Chinese history, from the Neolithic civilizations to the proclamation of the Republic (1912). The lessons will be structured chronologically, but thematic insights will shed lighto on those institutional, legal and cultural aspects that are fundamental to understanding the imperial system.
Topics covered (the 6 credits program includes points 1 to 10)
1. General notions of Chinese geography;
2. Historical periodizations; imperial titles and titles of reign; historiographical sources
3. From myth to history: from the Yellow Emperor to the Three Dynasties;
4. Confucius and the Hundred Schools;
5. From the foundation of the empire (221 BC) to the fall of the Tang dynasty (907);
6. The Song period: neo-Confucianism and imperial exams;
7. The Mongol Empire;
8. The calendar and the measurement of time;
9. The legal and judicial system;
10. The fiscal and monetary system;
11. The Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911);
12. Sinocentrism, the tributary system and the international relations of the empire;
13. Encounters between China and the "West": Matteo Ricci and Matteo Ripa
14. The crisis of the 19th century: the Opium Wars and the "Unequal Treaties";
15. Attempts at reform and modernization in the second half of the 19th century.
Course Language
Italian