The Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) occupies a crucial place in the history of 20th century China. It signifies a break with common presumptions about Communist Party dictatorship. Both in terms of specific policies and revolutionary theorizing, the movement has left a lasting impact on Chinese politics and society ever since. In this seminar, we will discuss crucial events and theories about the Cultural Revolution based on very recent scholarship and original sources on this topic. We will also engage in memoirs and individual narratives in order to trace the lingering influence of the Cultural Revolution on people’s everyday life in post-Mao China. Students are expected to describe the timeline of the Cultural Revolution and discuss the movement’s relevance and legacies to the contemporary Chinese politics and society.
- Profesor: Man Zhang