EAST ASIA (ETAS) 300A L01

INTRODUCTION TO EAST ASIA

FALL 2008/WINTER 2009

MW 10:00-11:15

Location: ST 129

 

 

Instructor:	Lloyd Sciban
Office Location:	SS 316
Office Phone:	403-289-3495
E-Mail:	sciban@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	http:/// www.ucalgary.ca/~sciban
Office Hours:	MW 11:30-12:30, or by appointment

Course Description

This course is an examination of East Asian civilizations from ancient times to the modern period, including the socio-cultural forces that were shaped by and that contributed to the religious, historical, economic, literary, artistic, and political developments of this region. Attention will be given to such topics as how the East Asian civilizations came into being and the rise and development of various institutions that contributed to East Asia's distinctive cultural identities.

Objectives of the Course

Upon completion of this course the student will have a basic understanding of East Asia that, among other things, will allow pursuit of more advanced learning related to East Asia.

Term Description

The first term will focus on Chinese and Korean premodern culture with the purpose of identifying and understanding the traditions that have informed the modern cultures of these respective nations.

Textbooks and Readings:

Heritage of China: Contemporary Perspectives on Chinese Civilization, Paul S. Ropp, ed. (Berkeley: University of California Press , 1990). One chapter from East Asia: Tradition and Transformation, p. 300-323, Edwin Reischauer (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1989), on reserve in library.

Assignments and Evaluation

1. Library assignment, 2.5%; library tutorial, Monday, Sept. 22 in library, assignment due Wednesday, Sept. 24.

2. Mid-term exam, 10%; Wednesday, October 22, 2008, open book, based on lectures, suggested readings, and films.

3. Registrar-scheduled, end of term exam, 17.5%, open book, based on lectures, readings, and films.

4. Essay, 20%; due Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in SS 316. Topic: Your choice, agreed upon by the instructor, to be determined by the end of term. Length: 2500 words, about 10 pages typed and double spaced. Criteria of evaluation: A. Depth of research, this involves an accurate general perspective; command of detail on your specific subject; understanding of strong evidence, if any, against your view; and suitability and strength of sources. B. Organization: this includes clarity, logic (there should be a logical connection shown among the points given in your essay), unity (maintenance of same theme throughout the whole, or a large section of the essay), coherence (smooth link between minor sections of the essay), and correctness of form (e.g., having foot or endnotes, a bibliography, the use of proper grammar, etc.). C. Original thinking: You are strongly encouraged to put forward and support your own original thinking. Original thinking often makes the difference between an outstanding and an average essay.

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox. No electronic submissions will be accepted.

Registrar-scheduled Mid-Term Examination in December: YES

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g., A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre. Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

(Revised, effective September 2008)

	Grading Scale
A+	96-100
A	90-95.99
A -	85-89.99
B+	80-84.99
B	75-79.99
B-	70-74.99
C+	65-69.99
C	60-64.99
C-	55-59.99
D+	53-54.99
D	50-52.99
F	0-49

 

 

Where a grade on a particular assignment is expressed as a letter grade, it will normally be converted to a number using the midpoint of the scale.  That is, A- would be converted to 87.5 for calculation purposes.  F will be converted to zero.

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (e.g., surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines. Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research. For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see

The Faculty of Communication and Culture Research Ethics site: http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/ethics

or the University of Calgary Research Ethics site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/compliance/ethics/info/undergrad/

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

Unit Topic

1 East Asia Course explanation, general characteristics of East Asian civilization, Western images of China.

 

Reading: Jonathon Spence, "Western Perceptions of China from the Late

Sixteenth Century to the Present," in Heritage of China, 1-14.

 

2 China Early civilization and historical overview.

 

Reading: David N. Keightley, "Early Civilization in China: Reflections on

How It Became Chinese," in Heritage of China, 15-54.

 

3 China Philosophical fundamentals: Confucianism and Daoism.

 

Reading: Tu Wei-ming, "The Confucian Tradition in Chinese History," in

Heritage of China, 112-137.

 

4 China Relationship to others.

 

Reading: Patricia Ebrey's "Women, Marriage, and the Family in Chinese

History," in Heritage of China, 197-223.

 

5 China Ritual and religion; Buddhism and folk religions.

 

Reading: T. H. Barret, "Religious Traditions in Chinese Civilization:

Buddhism and Taoism," in Heritage of China, 138-163.

 

6 China Political order: dynasties, examination system, court politics.

 

Reading: Jack L. Dull, "The Evolution of Government in China," in

Heritage of China, 55-85.

 

7 China Economy.

 

Reading: Albert Feuerwerker, "Chinese Economic History in

Comparative Perspective," in Heritage of China, 224-41.

 

8 China Arts and eating.

 

Reading: Stephen Owen, "Poetry in the Chinese Tradition," in Heritage of China,

294-308.

 

9 China Science.

 

Reading: Nathan Sivin, "Science and Medicine in Chinese History," in Heritage

of China, 164-196.

 

10 Korea Physical setting, early civilization, and historical overview.

 

Reading: East Asia: Tradition and Transformation, 300-323.

 

11 Korea Social and political order.

 

Reading: same as unit 10.

 

12 Korea Traditional economy.

 

Reading: same as unit 10.

..............................................................................