This course introduces key analytical tools from the social sciences and examine their relevance for the study of China and Inner Asian history. Of particular importance is a comparative approach that places China in conversation with recent scholarship in other historical fields and regions. Theoretical readings will be mixed with reviews of recent historical scholarship on China. Some of the readings will be chosen by students.
For each session, you will need to prepare to introduce and discuss one or more assigned reading. By the start of class, you should be able to explain: 1) the author’s primary question, 2) the author’s main answer, 3) how they arrived at this answer, and 4) why this research matters.
Evaluation/Assessment: Thirty-minute oral examination (as “Thesenpapier”) on a topic of your choice and two “book reviews” (grades will be averaged and considered one “Hausarbeit”). The oral exam (Thesenpapier) and book reviews (Hausarbeit) will both be given even weight in the calculation of the final grade.
A decision about the topic for the oral examination and the books you wish to review should be made by November 19. Please submit a written topic statement, a relevant bibliography, and the titles of the two books via email no later than noon on Nov. 19).
The first book review will be due on December 17. The second book review will be due on February 11 (after the end of the semester). Each review should be approximately 1,500 to 2,000 words.
- Учитель: Max Oidtmann