HISTORY OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY CHINA

The course will be aimed at analyzing the development of modern historiography in China from the early Twentieth-Century and on the role played by historical knowledge and narratives in China's nation building and political and cultural evolution.

Attending the lectures, participating in the planned learning activities, and through the study of the assigned readings the students are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes:
1. Knowledge and understanding
● To understand the evolution of Chinese moderni historiography and the role played by historical knowledge in Chinese politics and culture.
● To know the main interpretations and theories concerning the history of modern and contemporary China.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
● To recognize and analyze the historical dynamics of modern and contemporary China and their reflections in the writing of history.
3. Ability to judge
● To recognize and critically evaluate the role played by ideology in historical narratives and interpretations.
Learning ability
● To use critically the reference texts and the bibliography contained in them.

A general knowledge of history of China in the Twentieth Century and the capability to read modern Chinese are required.

Chinese traditional historiography and the role of historical knowledge in imperial China.
The origin of modern historiography in China and the impact of European historiography.
Nation, historical research and historical narratives in the Republica Era.
Marxist historiography in China.
The Chinese Communist Party and the writing of history in the PRC.
The political uses of the past in contemporary China.

The list of assigned readings will be communicated at the beginning of the course. The required readings will be made available on Moodle.

The achievement of the expected learning outcomes will be judged asking the student to submit a written essay to be completed in two hours. The short essay will concern one of the topics discussed in class and in the reading material listed in the bibliography.
The evaluation of the essay will take the following aspects into account:
- the student's knowledge and understanding of the reading material assigned on the subject;
- the student's ability to illustrate and reflect on the topic on the basis of the work done in class with the instructor;
- the clarity of the writing and argumentation.

The 30-hour course will include lectures by the instructor and seminar activities. The detailed calendar will be published before the course starts.

Italian

written