China’s First Empires and the Rise of Buddhism from edX

This course, the second in a collection on Chinese history and culture, addresses how the Qin dynasty conquered China and established a new system of government and how the Han dynasty built a stable, centralized empire that lasted for hundreds of years. We cover the early history of Buddhism in China and how the rising feudal aristocracy responded to the loss of empire by looking inward.

In this period, the Qin forged a new, unified empire, discovered new ways of mobilizing the population, and introduced the imperial ideology of “Cosmic Resonance”. However, this early dynasty was short-lived and soon gave way to the Han. Though the Han struggled with many tensions — centralism vs. regionalism, feudalism vs. bureaucracy — it lasted much longer than the Qin and established a stable relationship between Chinese society and the state.

Later, aristocratic culture and concerns around self-actualization became important in Chinese culture. Buddhism was also established in this period, and learners will discover how that religion spread throughout the country.

Join us to learn about China’s first unified empires and how the relationship to the self evolved with the spread of aristocratic culture and Buddhism.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How the first centralized bureaucratic empire was created.
How the foreign religion of buddhism gained prominence.
The dynamics of political systems and changing state-society relations.

How religion functions as a historical phenomenon.
How to develop your own approaches to history and gain a critical appreciation of china’s many resources.
How to express ideas clearly and confidently.

How the first centralized bureaucratic empire was created.
How the foreign religion of buddhism gained prominence.
The dynamics of political systems and changing state-society relations.
How religion functions as a historical phenomenon.
How to develop your own approaches to history and gain a critical appreciation of china’s many resources.
How to express ideas clearly and confidently.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops an understanding of the first centralized bureaucratic empire and how it was created

Examines how the foreign religion of Buddhism gained prominence in China

Analyzes the dynamics of political systems and changing state-society relations

Explores how religion functions as a historical phenomenon

Teaches learners how to develop critical appreciation of China’s many resources

Taught by Peter K. Bol and William C. Kirby, who are recognized for their work in Chinese history

Career center

Learners who complete China’s First Empires and the Rise of Buddhism will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Anthropologist

As an Anthropologist, you are responsible for studying the behavior, origin, and development of humans. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you are responsible for analyzing business needs and recommending solutions. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Economist

As an Economist, you are responsible for studying the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Political Scientist

As a Political Scientist, you are responsible for studying political systems and processes. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Management Consultant

As a Management Consultant, you are responsible for providing advice to organizations on how to improve their performance. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Teacher

As a Teacher, you are responsible for educating students in a variety of subjects. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Public relations manager

As a Public Relations Manager, you are responsible for managing the public image of an organization. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Nonprofit Manager

As a Nonprofit Manager, you are responsible for managing the operations of a nonprofit organization. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Lawyer

As a Lawyer, you are responsible for advising and representing clients in legal matters. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Archivist

As an Archivist, you are responsible for preserving and managing historical documents and records. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Journalist

As a Journalist, you are responsible for researching, writing, and reporting on news stories. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Librarian

As a Librarian, you are responsible for organizing and managing library collections, as well as providing reference and research assistance to patrons. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Sociologist

As a Sociologist, you are responsible for studying the behavior, origin, and development of human society. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you develop a strong foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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Museum curator

As a Museum Curator, you are responsible for planning and managing exhibitions, as well as preserving and managing museum collections. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the history of Chinese art and culture. This knowledge can help you develop exhibitions and educational programs that engage and inform the public.

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Historian

As a Historian, you are responsible for researching, analyzing, and interpreting past events. This course may be useful for your career as it provides a deep dive into the history of China's first empires and the rise of Buddhism. This can help you build a foundation in Chinese history and culture, which is essential for understanding the country's present and future.

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