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Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 2

Approx. 6 hours to complete

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Description

The purpose of this course is to summarize new directions in Chinese history and social science produced by the creation and analysis of big historical datasets based on newly opened Chinese archival holdings, and to organize this knowledge in a framework that encourages learning about China in comparative perspective.

Our course demonstrates how a new scholarship of discovery is redefining what is singular about modern China and modern Chinese history. Current understandings of human history and social theory are based largely on Western experience or on non-Western experience seen through a Western lens. This course offers alternative perspectives derived from Chinese experience over the last three centuries. We present specific case studies of this new scholarship of discovery divided into two stand-alone parts, which means that students can take any part without prior or subsequent attendance of the other part. Part 1 (https://www.coursera.org/learn/understanding-china-history-part-1) focuses on comparative inequality and opportunity and addresses two related questions ‘Who rises to the top?’ and ‘Who gets what?’. Part 2 (this course) turns to an arguably even more important question ‘Who are we?’ as seen through the framework of comparative population behavior - mortality, marriage, and reproduction – and their interaction with economic conditions and human values. We do so because mortality and reproduction are fundamental and universal, because they differ historically just as radically between China and the West as patterns of inequality and opportunity, and because these differences demonstrate the mutability of human behavior and values. Course Overview video: https://youtu.be/dzUPRyJ4ETk

Outline

Orientation and Module 1: Who Are We and Who Survives
1.1 Who Are We? An Introduction
1.2: Big Data and the Scholarship of Discovery
1.3: Big Data, New Facts and Classic Social Theory
1.4: New Data and Eurasian Comparisons
2.1: Who Survives: Life Under Pressure
2.2: Mortality: Geographic and Socioeconomic Comparisons
2.3: Mortality and Who We Are
Assignments and Grading
Module 1 Suggested Reading
Quiz 1

Module 2: Who Reproduces and Who Marries
3.1: Who Reproduces: Prudence and Pressure
3.2: Reproduction and Conscious Choice
3.3: Reproduction and Adoption
3.4: Reproduction: Geographic and Socioeconomic Comparisons
4.1: Who Marries: Similarity in Difference
4.2: Universal Female and Restricted Male Marriage
4.3: Alternative Marriage Forms
4.4: Marriage and Socioeconomic Comparisons
Module 2 Suggested Reading
Quiz 2

Module 3: Who Cares and Course Conclusion
5.1: Who Cares: State, Kinship and Family
5.2: Effects of Living with Kin (by Hao DONG)
5.3: Family System in Comparative Perspective (by Hao DONG)
5.4: Kin Influence Across East Asian Family Systems (by Hao DONG)
6.1: Conclusion: The Salient Legacy of China’s Past
Module 3 Suggested Reading
Quiz 3

Final Exam and Farewell
A Farewell Message from Professor James Lee
Rate this course
Final Exam
Post-course Survey

Summary of User Reviews

This course on Understanding China's History Part 2 has received positive reviews from many users. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of China's history and culture. Users have praised the course for its engaging content and knowledgeable instructors.