75721 - History of Modern and Contemporary China (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has acquired advanced knowledge of Chinese history, particularly concerning the modern and contemporary eras. They understand historical research methodology and can approach historiographical topics originally and independently. They can critically evaluate sources and navigate specialized bibliographies. They possess the ability to articulate and communicate the learned content and formulate valid judgments in history.

Course contents

The Last Imperial Qing Dynasty
European Colonialism in East Asia and China
The Birth of the Republic: Sun Yat-sen and Chinese Nationalism
Social and Cultural Transformations in the Early Twentieth Century
The Rise of the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang)
The Emergence and Development of the Communist Movement in China
China in the Second World War
The Civil War
The People’s Republic of China (PRC), 1949–2001
The PRC in the Global Context: From the Cold War to the Age of Globalization
The Republic of China in Taiwan

Readings/Bibliography

 The bibliography is valid for "attending" and "non-attending" students; however, different assessment methods are provided, as specified in the dedicated section.

 

Required Texts

• Sabattini M., Santangelo P., History of China, Rome–Bari, Laterza, 2005 (1996) (only the section on the Qing dynasty, Chapter 8)

• Samarani G., Contemporary China: From the End of the Empire to Today, Turin, Einaudi, 2017

Optional Texts

• Samarani G., Graziani S., Red China: History of the Chinese Communist Party, Laterza, 2023

• Congiu F., Onnis B., To the Last State: The Diplomatic Battle between China and Taiwan, Rome, Carocci, 2022

• Chiang Kai-shek and His Time: New Historical and Historiographical Perspectives, edited by Laura De Giorgi and Guido Samarani, Edizioni Ca’ Foscari, 2017

• Samarani G., The Revolution on the Move: China during the Long March, Salerno Editrice, 2018

For those who wish to review the political, social, and cultural history of the Chinese Empire up to the 17th century, see:

• Vogelsang, Kai. China: A Millennial History. Turin: Einaudi, 2014

 

[Additional readings or thematic materials can be agreed upon with the instructor sufficiently in advance of the exam date.]

 

Class materials will be uploaded to Virtuale throughout the course.

 

Teaching methods

Lectures

 

 

Assessment methods

The methods of assessment for attending (1) and non-attending (2) students are different. Students are considered attending if they participate in at least 75% of the lessons. 

This 6 CFU course can be chosen as a part of the 12 CFU Integrated Course (C.I.). If the student has the Integrated Course (12 CFU) in his/her study plan, the final grade will result from the arithmetic average of the marks obtained in the two parts.
During the academic year, exam sessions are usually scheduled in the following months/periods:

• January and February
• June and July
• September and October

For a total of at least six exam sessions per year.

 

1) Attending students: Individual oral interview

The exam consists of an individual oral interview with open-ended questions on:

• The two "required texts" (as indicated in the relevant texts/bibliography section), which must be studied alongside the lecture materials, including visual elements available on Virtuale. 

The interview assesses the critical skills developed by the student, particularly about crucial historical transitions.

The following will be evaluated: Mastery of the content, ability to synthesize and analyze key concepts and historical figures, expressive skills, and appropriate language for the subject matter.
Achieving an in-depth and critical understanding of the topics covered in the lessons, good expressive skills, and using specific language will be evaluated with excellent grades. A mainly mnemonic knowledge of the subject and the ability to synthesize and analyze expressed in correct but only sometimes precise language will lead to good evaluations. Gaps in preparation and/or inappropriate language – even in the context of a minimal understanding of the exam material – will result in grades that will not exceed a passing mark. Severe gaps in preparation, inappropriate language, and an inability to navigate the materials provided during the course will be evaluated negatively.


2) Non-attending students: Individual oral interview.

The exam consists of an individual oral interview with open-ended questions on:

• The two "required texts" (as indicated in the relevant texts/bibliography section), which must be studied alongside the lecture materials, including visual elements available on Virtuale.

• One text of choice from the "Further readings."

The interview assesses the critical skills developed by the student, particularly about crucial transitions and historical figures.

The following will be evaluated: Mastery of the content, ability to synthesize and analyze key themes and concepts, expressive skills, and appropriate language for the subject matter.
Achieving an in-depth and critical understanding of the course topics, good expressive skills, and using specific language will result in excellent grades. A mainly mnemonic knowledge of the subject and the ability to synthesize and analyze expressed in correct but not always precise language will lead to good evaluations. Gaps in preparation and/or inappropriate language – even in the context of a minimal understanding of the exam material – will result in grades that will not exceed a passing mark. Severe gaps in preparation, inappropriate language, and an inability to navigate the materials provided during the course will be evaluated negatively.

 

Teaching tools

PowerPoint Presentations.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Federica Cicci