HISTORY 225 : Samurai and Scholars: Early Modern China and Japan

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Early modern China and Japan shared not only geographical space in East Asia but also a history of cultural interaction, trade, and an enduring interest in Confucianism as a moral, philosophical, and social framework. This course explores and compares the government, trade, and culture of these two societies with a focus on the structures and patterns of everyday life.

Course Overview

Early modern China and Japan had much in common; they shared not only a geographical space in East Asia but also a history of cultural interaction, lively trade and an enduring interest in Confucianism as a way of structuring family and social relationships. This course explores the economic and social changes that made these two East Asian societies "early modern" with a focus on how people lived: as scholars, warriors, bureaucrats, writers, farmers, wives, sex workers, priests, and more. Readings will include a selection of translated texts from Chinese and Japanese literature as well as historical documents and scholarly essays. Themes include the philosophy and practice of government, the varied roles played by women in society, the importance of books for learning and for pleasure, economic growth and change, and the management of foreign relations including foreign emissaries, Christian missionaries, traders, and pirates. This course will appeal to students in Chinese, Japanese, Asian Studies and Global Studies as well as History students interested in Asian History. 

Students should note that HISTORY 225 is taught concurrently with HISTORY 335. The course requirements, assessment tasks and expectations of achievement for the two courses are different even though the lectures are common to both courses. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 60 points passed Restriction: HISTORY 222, 242, 322, 335, 342

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop the ability to research, read and interpret historical sources in English translation. (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)
  2. Analyse historical topics in the field of East Asian history. (Capability 2.1 and 2.2)
  3. Effectively communicate ideas orally in classroom discussions and in written coursework. (Capability 4.2)
  4. Identify points of continuity or historical resonance between the early modern and the present in East Asia. (Capability 1.2)
  5. Develop cultural sensitivity in engaging with peoples from East Asia. (Capability 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Essay 30% Individual Coursework
Essay proposal with bibliography 10% Individual Coursework
Reading reflection 10% Individual Coursework
Tutorial participation 10% Individual Coursework

Learning Resources

The key readings for the course will be made available digitally via Canvas. Other recommended readings from the reading list will be available in the library. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course. Students are expected to spend 10 hours per week on each 15 point course that they are enrolled in, including class time and personal study and assignment preparation. There will be two separate lecture classes and a one-hour tutorial class each week. Students are expected to prepare for class by reading assigned materials and preparing assignments in their own time.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 19/12/2019 12:28 p.m.