Intellectual Change in Early China: Warring States and Han from Coursera

This sequence of four courses will propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese cultural history conceived of as a succession of modes of rationality (philosophical, bureaucratic, and economic). The focus will be on the moments of paradigm shift from one mode of rationality to another. For each of these moments, cultural facts and artifacts—thought, literature, ritual—will be examined in relationship to changing social, political, and economic systems.

The first two courses will cover the periods of the Warring States (481-256 BCE) and the Period of Division (220-589 CE), with a brief excursion into the Han (206 BCE-220 CE). The Warring States laid the social and cultural foundations for the emergence of the imperial mode of rationality; the Period of Division saw the Buddhist “conquest” of China and the emergence of a rationality defined by the opposition of the Three Teachings to shamanism, that is, of a clear contrast between elite and popular culture.

The third and fourth courses will focus on the emergence of modern China in the Song-Yuan (960-1368) and of today’s China 1850 to the present. We will see how the modern attack on religion, redefined as "superstition", led not only to religious reform movements but also to a society in which science and the nation became the primary value systems promoted by the state.

The courses are listed below:

A Critical Cultural History of China - Early China I: Intellectual Change in the Warring States and Han (481 BCE-220 CE)

A Critical Cultural History of China - Early China II: Religious Transformation in the Period of Division (220-589 CE)

A Critical Cultural History of China - Modern China I: Religion and Thought in the Song, Jin, and Yuan (960-1368)

A Critical Cultural History of China - Modern China II: Structuring Values (1850-2015)

What's inside

Syllabus

MODULE 00: A Critical Cultural History of China - Introduction

This module introduces the key concepts that will be used throughout the course and the basic outlines of Chinese cultural history, starting with the Warring States (481-256 BCE).

MODULE 01: Attack on Shamanism

This module explains why the intellectual elite attacked traditional religious practices like divination and shamanism.

MODULE 02: The Emergence of Self-Cultivation Practice

This module presents two forms of self-cultivation—Confucian and Daoist—that emerged during the Warring States.

MODULE 03: The Philosophical Preparation of Political Unity

We are going to learn about the meaning of “transcendence” as seen in the sacrifice to Heaven of the “Son of Heaven” (the king and later the emperor) and in the new cosmology of the Dao (Way) and Qi (vital energy).

MODULE 04: Han Religion

This module is about local and imperial religion in the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 BC).

MODULE 05: Changing Theories of Illness

This module states how new theories of healing based on the cosmology of Dao and Qi, in the face of the political and social crisis of the second century CE, made way for a return of ideas of demon-caused illness.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores changing intellectual and religious beliefs from 481 BCE to 1850 CE, providing a comprehensive overview of Chinese cultural history

Taught by Professor John Lagerwey, a renowned expert in Chinese cultural history

Develops critical thinking skills and a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture

In-depth analysis of religious transformation and the rise of modern China, offering insights into contemporary Chinese society

Introduces key concepts and theories used in the study of Chinese cultural history, providing a solid foundation

Requires prerequisites, indicating a higher level of understanding is needed before enrolling

Reviews summary

Fascinating history of chinese thought

Learners say this well-received course is very engaging and educational. It includes interesting content on the intellectual shifts that occurred in early China, with a focus on Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. The informative lectures are easy to understand, but prior knowledge of Chinese philosophy can be helpful. While the readings are extensive and valuable, learners wish the lectures and quizzes engaged more with the text. Overall, this course is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history of Chinese thought.

Course offers extensive and insightful readings

"Lots of valuable information to put this amazing subject all together in a very logical manner."

"Excellent course on China's early culture surrounding this era and covering Daoism, Taoism and Confucianism."

"I read the entirety of the text and found answers to things I had considered in the past."

Lectures are engaging and easy to follow

"Excellent course !"

"Excellent course with very intense information and good quality formation"

"Thank you so much Prof Lagerwey and Coursera. All my gratitude for this brilliant journey."

Course offers a wealth of knowledge

"Very educational."

"Good presentation on the intellectual thinking, thank you!"

"It is a course about the early China. It deals with the transition from shamanism to traditional religions as confucianism, buddhism and taoism."

Instructor's presentation style could be improved

"There's some good information here, however, this professor doesn't convey information very clearly"

"It is of little benefit to show someone talking and showing slides of text that is in the transcript."

"This professor doesn't convey information very clearly, and the quizzes sometimes don't match up with the material."

Prior knowledge of Chinese culture and history is helpful

"Would recommend some background knowledge or having studied academic history before taking this."

"For total beginners I think it may take more effort and time to understand the sometimes complex topics."

"It is of little benefit to show someone talking and showing slides of text that is in the transcript."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intellectual Change in Early China: Warring States and Han with these activities:

Collect a list of resources on Chinese cultural history

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Collecting a list of resources on Chinese cultural history will help you find additional materials to support your learning.

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Search for books, articles, and websites about Chinese cultural history.
Organize your findings into a list.

Review the history of China

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Reviewing the history of China will help you contextualize the cultural changes that are the focus of this course.

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Read a textbook or online article about the history of China.
Watch a documentary about Chinese history.

Read 'The Cambridge History of China'

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Reading 'The Cambridge History of China' will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Chinese history and culture.

View The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 13:... on Amazon

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Read one chapter per week.
Take notes on the key points of each chapter.

Four other activities

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Practice identifying the different modes of rationality

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Practicing identifying the different modes of rationality will help you understand how they have shaped Chinese cultural history.

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Complete the practice exercises in the course materials.
Read articles about how different modes of rationality have been applied to specific historical events or cultural phenomena.

Attend a lecture or conference on Chinese cultural history

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Attending a lecture or conference on Chinese cultural history will allow you to hear from experts in the field and learn about the latest research.

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Find a lecture or conference on Chinese cultural history.
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Participate in a workshop on Chinese cultural history

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Participating in a workshop on Chinese cultural history will give you the opportunity to learn from experts and engage with other students.

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Find a workshop on Chinese cultural history.
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Enter a competition related to Chinese cultural history

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Entering a competition related to Chinese cultural history will challenge you to apply your knowledge and skills in a fun and engaging way.

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Career center

Learners who complete Intellectual Change in Early China: Warring States and Han will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. They may specialize in a particular period of time, region, or topic. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Historians because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to conduct research and write about Chinese history in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Archivist

Archivists collect, preserve, and make accessible historical documents and artifacts. They may work in a variety of settings, including libraries, museums, and government agencies. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Archivists because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to identify, acquire, and preserve historically significant Chinese documents and artifacts.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators plan and organize exhibits on a variety of topics, including art, history, and science. They may also conduct research, give lectures, and write articles about their field of expertise. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Museum Curators because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to create exhibits that are both informative and engaging.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists study the remains of past human societies by excavating and analyzing artifacts and structures. They may specialize in a particular time period or region of the world. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Archaeologists because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to identify, excavate, and analyze Chinese archaeological sites in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Teacher

Teachers plan and deliver instruction to students in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, and universities. They may specialize in a particular subject area, such as history, English, or science. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Teachers because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to create lesson plans and activities that are both informative and engaging.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the behavior, beliefs, and cultures of humans. They may specialize in a particular region of the world or a particular aspect of human culture, such as language, religion, or economics. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Anthropologists because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to conduct research and write about Chinese culture in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study the structure and function of political systems. They may specialize in a particular area of political science, such as comparative politics, international relations, or American politics. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Political Scientists because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to analyze and forecast Chinese politics in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Philosopher

Philosophers study the fundamental nature of reality, knowledge, and ethics. They may specialize in a particular area of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology, or ethics. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Philosophers because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to analyze and understand Chinese philosophy in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Psychologist

Psychologists study the mind and behavior of individuals. They may specialize in a particular area of psychology, such as clinical psychology, developmental psychology, or social psychology. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Psychologists because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to analyze and understand Chinese psychology in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Religious Studies Scholar

Religious Studies Scholars study the beliefs and practices of religions around the world. They may specialize in a particular religion, such as Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Religious Studies Scholars because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to analyze and understand Chinese religion in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They may specialize in a particular area of economics, such as monetary policy, international trade, or labor economics. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Economists because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to analyze and forecast the Chinese economy in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, such as to entertain, inform, or persuade. They may specialize in a particular genre of writing, such as fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Writers because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to create written content that is both informative and engaging.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. They may specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, family law, or corporate law. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Lawyers because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to advise and represent Chinese clients in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Journalist

Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. They may work for a variety of media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, television, and radio. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Journalists because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to report on Chinese news and current events in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study the behavior and interactions of people in society. They may specialize in a particular area of sociology, such as social stratification, deviance, or social change. The course 'Intellectual Change in Early China' is a valuable resource for Sociologists because it provides a deep understanding of Chinese history and culture. This knowledge can be used to analyze and explain Chinese society in a more informed and nuanced way.

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