HIST307

In Chinese, the name of the country means "Central Kingdom." In ancient times, the Chinese Empire was indeed the center of the world, rivaling all other civilizations in population, technology, and power. Despite a century of erosion suffered under modern imperialism, and struggling with enduring social, ethnic, and political divisions, China aspires to reclaim superpower status, and it appears to be succeeding. This course will explore the emergence of modern China as a key actor on the world. Particular attention will be paid to China's rich intellectual tradition, confrontation with imperialism, Cold War experience, and the antagonism that exists between democracy and dictatorship, between the vast diversity of the Chinese people and the homogenizing mission of the communist state.