Changing China

From the ancient titles of "Middle Kingdom" and "All under Heaven" and nearly four thousand years of written history and ongoing civilization emerged a complicated, multi-ethnic and controversial place called China. What is China? Who is Chinese? This program will provide students with a comprehensive picture of Chinese history and culture, from prehistoric archaeology and mythologies to the complex modern nation state. Through historical surveys, hands-on practice of Chinese arts and readings of Chinese literature, we will examine China's long and rich classical tradition. We will explore the mysteries and misunderstandings that enshroud Chinese modern history and politics. For the full year, students will work in a Chinese language class to build fundamental skills in conversation and reading that will support their studies and prepare them to travel to China in spring quarter. Our ultimate goal is to understand China and its role in our ever-widening global community.

Fall quarter, we will emphasize the foundations of Chinese culture, established via more than three thousand years of monarchical, dynastic history. Chinese philosophy comprised of the primary "Three Teachings" of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism, and blended with popular beliefs, will inform our study of Chinese literary tradition and its enduring works of poetry, prose, song, fiction and drama. We will also study and experiment with Chinese classical arts. From Chinese calligraphy, brush painting, interior and garden design, theatre/performing arts to movement and martial arts such as Taiji, students will experience and embody a variety of Chinese artistic and aesthetic practices. These arts grew from the same roots as China's cosmology, philosophy and literary traditions.

Winter quarter we will focus on China's modern period. We will look at the 17th century when internal ethnic disharmony and interventions by Western powers destabilized its centuries-old monarchy, and continue to the twentieth century when China transformed into a republic, and then into a Communist state. With critical and open minds, we will study the cultural, social and political ramifications of these changes, confronting the suffering and brutality which engulfed millions. Relevant issues included international and civil wars, border disputes, ethnic unrest, cults of personality, ideological crises, cultural revolutions and movements for democracy. Our historical survey will be accompanied by literary readings, artistic exercises, film viewing and critical reflections.

In spring quarter, we will continue our survey of modern China by tracing the critical phases of reform and modernization initiated in the early 1980s. We will pay close attention to China's current image as a dynamic economic powerhouse and enigmatic, ambitious world political presence, as well as its internal need for a well-functioning legal system. Students will have the option of traveling to China to further study Chinese language and culture, Taiji, calligraphy, visual arts, and Chinese opera. Those who stay on Evergreen's campus will continue to engage in serious China studies via projects or internships. Throughout the year, we will constantly challenge ourselves to position China's unique circumstances in the context of the rest of the world and universal concerns of humanity.