Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 1

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

About this Course

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The purpose of this course is to summarize new directions in Chinese history and social science produced by the creation and analysis of big historical datasets based on newly opened Chinese archival holdings, and to organize this knowledge in a framework that encourages learning about China in comparative perspective.
Our course demonstrates how a new scholarship of discovery is redefining what is singular about modern China and modern Chinese history. Current understandings of human history and social theory are based largely on Western experience or on non-Western experience seen through a Western lens. This course offers alternative perspectives derived from Chinese experience over the last three centuries. We present specific case studies of this new scholarship of discovery divided into two stand-alone parts, which means that students can take any part without prior or subsequent attendance of the other part.

Part 1 (this course) focuses on comparative inequality and opportunity and addresses two related questions ‘Who rises to the top?’ and ‘Who gets what?’.

Part 2 (https://www.coursera.org/learn/understanding-china-history-part-2) turns to an arguably even more important question ‘Who are we?’ as seen through the framework of comparative population behavior - mortality, marriage, and reproduction – and their interaction with economic conditions and human values. We do so because mortality and reproduction are fundamental and universal, because they differ historically just as radically between China and the West as patterns of inequality and opportunity, and because these differences demonstrate the mutability of human behavior and values.

Course Overview video: https://youtu.be/dzUPRyJ4ETk

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Approx. 8 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

5/5 (7 Ratings)

James Z. Lee

Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences

7,181 Learners

2 Courses

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 8 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

HKUST - A dynamic, international research university, in relentless pursuit of excellence, leading the advance of science and technology, and educating the new generation of front-runners for Asia and the world.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Orientation and Module 1: Social Structure and Education in Late Imperial China

Before you start with the content for Module 1, please watch the Course Overview, review the Assignments and Grading page, and introduce yourself to other learners who will be studying this course with you.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 56 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Course Overview2m

1.1: Introduction15m

1.2: Who Gets What and Why?3m

1.3: Social Mobility and the Examination System in Late Imperial China20m

1.4: Cultural Reproduction and Education in Late Imperial and Contemporary China14m

2 readings

Assignments and Grading10m

Module 1 Suggested Reading10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 130m

Week

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Module 2: Education and Social Mobility in Contemporary China

1 hour to complete

3 videos (Total 46 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

3 videos

2.1: Comparing Inequality in Education and Income between China and the West11m

2.2: Student Diversity at Peking University 1950-1999 and Suzhou University 1950-200319m

2.3: China’s Silent Revolution’s Ladder of Success14m

1 reading

Module 2 Suggested Reading10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 230m

Week

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Module 3: Social Mobility and Wealth Distribution in Late Imperial and Contemporary China

1 hour to complete

5 videos (Total 46 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

5 videos

3.1: Wealth Distribution in the UK and US, 1700-20007m

3.2: Population Categories and Wealth Entitlements in China13m

3.3: Land Distribution in Shuangcheng, 1870-19066m

3.4: Property Distribution in Contemporary China11m

3.5: Comparative Wealth Distribution: Past/Present and East/West6m

1 reading

Module 3 Suggested Reading10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 330m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Module 4: Wealth Distribution and Regime Change in Twentieth Century China

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 51 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

5 videos

4.1: Wealth Distribution and Regime Change8m

4.2: Wealth Distribution in Pre-Revolutionary China15m

4.3: Political Processes and Institutions of Regime Change in Shuangcheng, 1946-194812m

4.4: Revolutionary Victims in Shuangcheng and Elsewhere9m

4.5: Course Conclusion4m

1 reading

Module 4 Suggested Reading10m

1 practice exercise

Quiz 430m

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Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 1

Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 1