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.
Intellectual Change in Early China: Warring States and Han
The Chinese University of Hong KongAbout this Course
Learner Career Outcomes
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Learner Career Outcomes
50%
50%
Offered by

The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all corners of the world. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an expansive alumni network.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
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).
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM INTELLECTUAL CHANGE IN EARLY CHINA: WARRING STATES AND HAN
Fascinating course on an era of intellectual change .Those Ancient elite literati knew a thing or two about how to use propaganda and ritual.
A challenging but rewarding class. Good instructor. I'd like the instructor to show a outline at the beginning of each module.
Excellent course on China's early culture surrounding this era and covering Daoism, Taoism and Confucianism.
Thank you so much Prof Lagerwey and Coursera. All my gratitude for this brilliant journey.
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