This course is the second in the sequence that began with Chinese Civilization, taught by Professor Patricia Ebreyand will continue with Imagining Tibet, taught by Ms. Janet Upton. The topic is the ways that Chinese and Euopeans or Euro-Americans have viewed each other from the late 16th century to the present. I have chosen a diverse series of contexts in which we can see Chinese and Western views of each other and of the interaction between the two. The intention of the course is that you learn to appreciate the importance of perspective in viewing cultural contact, and that you learn to examine and thus become able to judge the influence of your own perspective.

The readings for the course are designed to be interesting--mostly light in quality but heavy in quantity, and quite diverse. You should read as much as possible of the reading for each unit by the beginning of that unit, and the rest during the unit. This will enable me to make points that refer to the reading, and will enable you to participate productively in discussions of the reading and of the issues it raises. We might also watch some films. Most of the reading is in a packet of photocopies available at Professional Copy and Print, at the corner of 43rd and University. There are two books which you should purchase at the University Bookstore: James Hevia's Cherishing Men From Afar: Qing Guest Ritual and the Macartney Mission of 1793 and Jane Hunter's The Gospel of Gentility: American Women Missionaries in Turn of the Century China.

You will be required to write three papers for this class. All will concern topics raised in the lectures, class discussions, and required readings; no outside reading will be expected for any paper. The first paper will be assigned on Tuesday, Jan 13, and due on Tuesday, Jan 27. The second paper will be assigned on Tuesday, Feb 3 and will be due on Tuesday, Feb 17. The final paper will be assigned on Tuesday, Feb 24 and due on Tuesday, March 10. The grades on the three papers will determine your class grade. There will be no examinations, and no other factors than your writing (no class participation, no extra credit, etc.) will be considered in determining your grade.

There is also a newsgroup for this class. At times, I will be asking you to post reactions to readings, paper assignments, etc.; at other times you may want to use the newsgroup just to ask questions of me or of your fellow students. On e-mail, your newsgroup is uwash.class.has262c, or you can click on it here. BACK TO MAIN PAGE