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Intellectual Change in Early China

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)

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Rating 4.3★ based on 13 ratings
Length 7 weeks
Effort Six weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Starts Jul 17 (42 weeks ago)
Cost $49
From The Chinese University of Hong Kong via Coursera
Instructor Prof. John Lagerwey
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Humanities Art & Design
Tags History Arts And Humanities

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What people are saying

.those ancient elite literati

Fascinating course on an era of intellectual change .Those Ancient elite literati knew a thing or two about how to use propaganda and ritual.

excellent journey into amazing

Thank you for this excellent journey into amazing Chinese culture!

only openly atheistic country

I've come to learn about the only openly atheistic country of note and right off the bat in an introduction an american is trying to redifine religion in order to persuade me that non-religious people don't exist because religion really just means "structural values", and that right after pointing out correctly that indeed religion is just one element of broader culture.

call trustworthy or worthwhile

Not exactly what I would call trustworthy or worthwhile source of information, but then again, being an atheist I apparently don't even exist, and neither does this review.

presentation could be better

I give it 4 out of 5 stars because I think the presentation could be better.

traditional religions as confucianism

It deals with the transition from shamanism to traditional religions as confucianism, buddhism and taoism.

buddhism and/or qigong

Also, if you are interested in Taoism, Buddhism and/or Qigong, be aware that he approaches it as an academic, not a practitioner.

deepen their knowledge

I recommend this course for those who are already familiar with Chinese culture and history and want to deepen their knowledge.

videos multiple times

Take notes, memorize the terms, and watch the videos multiple times.

anyone who teaches

Strongly recommended to anyone who teaches and studies ancient China.

looking forward

Looking forward to the upcoming parts!

take notes

Careers

An overview of related careers and their average salaries in the US. Bars indicate income percentile.

Coordinator of Cultural Activities $39k

US History Teacher 1 $43k

Lecturer of History $50k

Lecturer, History $57k

Teacher of History $58k

Cultural Affairs Specialist $58k

History $61k

Cultural Strategist $68k

Professor, History $84k

US History Professor $96k

Cultural Advisor $100k

Teacher & Cultural Guide $148k

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Rating 4.3★ based on 13 ratings
Length 7 weeks
Effort Six weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Starts Jul 17 (42 weeks ago)
Cost $49
From The Chinese University of Hong Kong via Coursera
Instructor Prof. John Lagerwey
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Humanities Art & Design
Tags History Arts And Humanities

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