There are ten Lessons; you are only required to do nine of them. If you do all ten, the lowest grade will be dropped.
For each Lesson, choose 2 Weekly Comments questions from the “Weekly Comments” slide in the Powerpoint lectures. Post a minimum 100-word (one paragraph) response per question to the online forum, the Discussions board, on Canvas, by 11 pm on the Saturday of the week they are assigned (see the Course Schedule, p. 4, below).
VERY IMPORTANT: Post Weekly Comments together in ONE post. To post, click on the last link on the Lesson page, then click on “Reply” on the lower right.
An “A” response will include evidence from the readings. For examples of “ideal” posts, responses, and questions, log on to Canvas, click on our class, scroll down, and then click on the Orientation – Start Here! Page (beach chair picture).
After you post your answers to the Weekly Comments on the Discussions board, you can view other students’ assignments. Reply to at least 2 other students’ posts.
To reply to a post, make sure the post that you want to reply to is highlighted, then click Reply.
Comments must be substantive, that is, add a new point or idea (“I liked this post because…,” “I agree with…but I disagree with…because”). To receive full credit, they must be at least 40 words.
An “A” response respectfully expresses your opinion, gives a reason why you think so, and adds to the conversation. See “Grading Guidelines and Ideal Posts” on the Orientation - Start Here! page in Modules on Canvas for ideas.
Please be respectful of others’ posts. Be aware that email and Discussions board comments may sound harsher than intended and adjust your comments. You can review Netiquette rules if you are unsure about Internet behavior.
WRITING PROJECTS
There are six projects that are designed to help you write your final research paper; you are only required to do five of them. If you do all six, the lowest grade will be dropped. Each project constitutes a step towards building your research, writing and analytical skills, and is worth 5% of your grade. Assignments are due on the day indicated in your class schedule (below).
RESEARCH PAPER
Papers will be a minimum of 6 full pages in length on an historical topic of the student’s choice. Students must use a minimum of five sources (such as books, art, architecture, documentaries/films, or journal articles) to support their ideas, and are encouraged to use as many as needed to complete their projects. Keep in mind that these are “minimum” requirements, not “maximums”! See the “Paper Topics” document on the Your First Assignment page for additional guidelines and support.
Final papers must also use evidence from at least one primary source and use evidence from at least two readings that we have not covered in class. In-class readings are also permitted. It is expected that students will properly cite all materials in their texts (see Plagiarism).
All final papers will be submitted online through Turnitin on Canvas. Papers received late will be marked late. Additional instructions will be provided throughout the course.
This class is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) class. That means that the materials we use are free, open-source textbooks and readings that will be on Canvas. They are listed below.
For this introductory lesson, you will practice some basic skills to help you get oriented for taking this online course. Follow the instructions online to complete the lesson.
Required Reading: Read the articles linked to the Your First Assignment page.
RESPONSE DUE: Saturday, 1/22, by 11 pm
LESSON 1: CHINA FROM THE NEOLITHIC TO FIRST DYNASTIES
Required Reading: 01 Chinese practices reading (selected text - online- check Canvas)
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 1/29. by 11 pm
WRITING PROJECT #1: FOOTNOTES
Required Reading: Complete the online assignment. *Start getting sources for your paper!
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 2/5, by 11 pm
LESSON 2: WESTERN ZHOU TO THE AGE OF PHILOSOPHY
Required Reading: Selected sections on Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi only. For Confucius, pp. 1-21; Mencius, pp. 115-117 (introduction), 1B6 on p. 124, 2A6 on pp. 129-130, and pp. 148-9; Xunzi, pp. 255-7 and “Human Nature is Bad” pp. 298-307.
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 2/12, by 11 pm
LESSON 3: GOLDEN AGE OF PHILOSOPHY
Required Reading: Daoism pp. 161-76, “Introduction” pp. 207-8, and from Chapter 2 pp. 213-226; Chapter 6 pp. 317-323; “Introduction” pp. 59-61, 68-78, 311-314; selected Art of War
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 2/19, by 11 pm
WRITING PROJECT #2: BIBLIOGRAPHY
Due on Turnitin: a bibliography for at least 3 sources you will use for your paper. Check Canvas for instructions and examples.
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 2/26, by 11 pm
LESSON 4: FIRST EMPIRES: THE QIN-HAN TRANSITION
Required: 04a qin han transition; 04b ban zhao excerpt; 04c han readings
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 3/5, by 11 pm
LESSON 5: AGE OF DIVISION TO THE TANG DYNASTY
Required Reading: 05a mouzi disposing of error; 05b excerpt Platform Sutra; 05c two views empress wu; and 05e memorial on the bone of the buddha
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 3/12, by 11 pm
LESSON 6: CHINA AMONG EQUALS: SONG, LIAO, JIN AND YUAN
Required: 06 attractions of the capital; 06 secret history of the mongols
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 3/19, by 11 pm
WRITING PROJECT #3: BOOK/ARTICLE REVIEW
Due on Turnitin: submit a one-page summary of one of the readings you will use for your paper on Turnitin. See Canvas for instructions and examples.
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 4/2, by 11 pm
LESSON 7: SOCIETY AND FAMILY LIFE IN MING-QING CHINA
Required: 07 bonds of matrimony
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 4/9, by 11 pm
WRITING PROJECT #4: FIRST PAGE
The first page of your paper is due on Turnitin. Students may submit any of the following: the introduction and a paragraph of the paper; an outline of your paper; or a one-page summary of your argument.
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 4/16, by 11 pm
LESSON 8: THE DECLINE OF THE QING
Required: 08 boat and midcentury rebels
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 4/9, by 11 pm
WRITING PROJECT #5: FIRST DRAFT
Due on Turnitin: the first draft of your paper. Once you submit your first draft, you will receive a copy of another student’s first draft. Give that student feedback, and read the feedback on your project from at least one other student, too. Check instructions and guidelines on Canvas. ***Keep reading AND WRITING for your paper!
PROJECT DUE: Saturday, 4/30, by 11 pm
LESSON 9: 20TH CENTURY CHINA: FROM WAR TO COMMUNIST TRIUMPH
Required: Boundless- Communist China (only up to “The Sino-Soviet Split”)
*Writing Project 6 - Peer Review- due- look for “Peer Review” on the right side of the Writing Project 5/Writing Project 6 page
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 5/7, by 11 pm
LESSON 10: CHINA FROM CENTURY'S END TO THE 21ST CENTURY
Required: 10 china in 21st century
WEEKLY COMMENTS AND RESPONSES DUE: Saturday, 5/14, by 11 pm
FINAL PAPERS DUE. SUBMIT PAPERS THROUGH TURNITIN BY 3PM ON THURS. 5/19!
LATE PAPERS WILL BE DOCKED POINTS AS FOLLOWS: up to 2 hrs late: -2 points; more than 2 Hrs-5 hrs. late: -4 pts. No papers accepted past 8 pm on 5/21!