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Structuring Values in Modern China

Approx. 25 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course explores the values and beliefs that have shaped modern China, focusing on the role of traditional Chinese culture and its interaction with modernity.

Key Learning Points

Understand the role of traditional Chinese culture in modern China
Explore the impact of modernity on Chinese values and beliefs
Analyze the cultural and social changes in China over the past century

Learning Outcomes

Understand the role of traditional Chinese culture in modern China
Analyze the impact of modernity on Chinese values and beliefs
Evaluate the cultural and social changes in China over the past century

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of Chinese history and culture
Interest in analyzing cultural and social changes

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

ChinaX
China: Humanities and Social Sciences

Notable People in This Field

Ian Johnson
Perry Link
Orville Schell

Related Books

Description

This sequence of four courses will propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese cultural history conceived of as a succession of modes of rationality (philosophical, bureaucratic, and economic). The focus will be on the moments of paradigm shift from one mode of rationality to another. For each of these moments, cultural facts and artifacts—thought, literature, ritual—will be examined in relationship to changing social, political, and economic systems.

The first two courses will cover the periods of the Warring States (481-256 BCE) and the Period of Division (220-589 CE), with a brief excursion into the Han (206 BCE-220 CE). The Warring States laid the social and cultural foundations for the emergence of the imperial mode of rationality; the Period of Division saw the Buddhist “conquest” of China and the emergence of a rationality defined by the opposition of the Three Teachings to shamanism, that is, of a clear contrast between elite and popular culture. The third and fourth courses will focus on the emergence of modern China in the Song-Yuan (960-1368) and of today’s China 1850 to the present. We will see how the modern attack on religion, redefined as "superstition", led not only to religious reform movements but also to a society in which science and the nation became the primary value systems promoted by the state. The courses are listed below: A Critical Cultural History of China - Early China I: Intellectual Change in the Warring States and Han (481 BCE-220 CE) A Critical Cultural History of China - Early China II: Religious Transformation in the Period of Division (220-589 CE) A Critical Cultural History of China - Modern China I: Religion and Thought in the Song, Jin, and Yuan (960-1368) A Critical Cultural History of China - Modern China II: Structuring Values (1850-2015)

Outline

Module 21 Religion and Modernity
M21.1 Introduction
M21.2 Out with the Old
M21.3.1 Science
M21.3.2 Nation
M21.3.3 Market
M21.4.1 Redemptive societies
M21.4.2 Gender
M21.1 Introduction
M21.2 Out with the Old
M21.3.1 Science
M21.3.2 Nation
M21.3.3 Market
M21.4.1 Redemptive societies
M21.4.2 Gender

Module 22 Economics
M22.1 Statecraft in China
M22.2 A modern market economy
M22.1 Statecraft in China
M22.2 A modern market economy

Module 23 Science and Scientism
M23.1 Before the conflict
M23.2 The emergence of scientism
M23.3 The heyday of scientism
M23.4 The ongoing debate
M23.1 Before the conflict
M23.2 The emergence of scientism
M23.3 The heyday of scientism
M23.4 The ongoing debate

Module 24 Gender
M24.1 Introduction
M24.2.1 Protestantism
M24.2.2 Popular religion
M24.2.3 Buddhism
M24.3.1 May Fourth
M24.3.2 The CCP
M24.4 Conclusion
M24.1 Introduction
M24.2.1 Protestantism
M24.2.2 Popular religion
M24.2.3 Buddhism
M24.3.1 May Fourth
M24.3.2 The CCP
M24.4 Conclusion

Module 25 Redemptive societies and charity halls
M25.1 A sense of mission
M25.2.1 The end-times
M25.2.2 The dual structure
M25.3 The Yiguandao
M25.4 Taiwan
M25.5 Two patterns
M25.1 A sense of mission
M25.2.1 The end-times
M25.2.2 The dual structure
M25.3 The Yiguandao
M25.4 Taiwan
M25.5 Two patterns

Module 26 Charismatic Christianity
M26.1 Charismatic
M26.2 Indigenous
M26.3 Grassroots
M26.4 Postscript
M26.1 Charismatic
M26.2 Indigenous
M26.3 Grassroots
M26.4 Postscript

Module 27 By Way of Conclusion
M27.1 Chinese and Western dualism
M27.2 Morphological thinking
M27.3 Daoist dualities
M27.4 Alternating or conflicting dualities?
M27.5 Daoxue dualism
M27.6 The role of writing
M27.7 Mitigated dualism
M27.8 Patriarchy with Chinese characteristics
M27.9 Chinese humanism
M27.1 Chinese and Western dualism
M27.2 Morphological thinking
M27.3 Daoist dualities
M27.4 Alternating or conflicting dualities?
M27.5 Daoxue dualism
M27.6 The role of writing
M27.7 Mitigated dualism
M27.8 Patriarchy with Chinese characteristics
M27.9 Chinese humanism

Summary of User Reviews

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Provides valuable insights into the cultural values and beliefs of modern China.

Pros from User Reviews

Course content is well-organized and easy to follow.
The course offers a comprehensive overview of the topic.
The instructor provides useful examples and real-world cases.
Great opportunity to gain knowledge on Chinese culture and values.
The course is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners.

Cons from User Reviews

The course could be more interactive and engaging.
More practical exercises could be included in the course.
The course may not be suitable for those looking for a deep dive into a specific aspect of Chinese culture.
The course may require prior knowledge of Chinese history and culture.
The course may not be suitable for those who prefer a fast-paced learning environment.