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

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 1 by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

4.5
50 ratings
•
13 reviews

About the Course

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...

Top reviews

AA

May 25, 2017

I loved the course. It gave me a totally different view of pre-revolution China. Even though I am not into\n\nquantitative data, I still learned from the conclusions and interpretations of the data.

MM

Oct 19, 2017

Informative, relevant, and unique. The focus on recent discoveries unearthed through original research is refreshing.

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1 - 13 of 13 Reviews for Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 1

By Joy S

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Dec 29, 2018

The truth about China. This is fact, by evidence, by statistics. Very good to know.

By Nhat L

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Sep 26, 2017

It is a very short and concise course.

By JOHN Q

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Nov 20, 2017

I enjoyed this course tremendously, and discovered that there was a vast amount of information that I needed to learn about this SuperPower. China is an amazing country with an enormous population and economy, a history of remarkable achievement, and yet still unknown in many ways. Thanks for putting this course together.

By Asir A

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May 25, 2017

I loved the course. It gave me a totally different view of pre-revolution China. Even though I am not into

quantitative data, I still learned from the conclusions and interpretations of the data.

By lichuangye

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Apr 04, 2017

good

By Jialin B

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May 23, 2018

Brilliant course. High quality information, comprehensive sources and interesting tests. Part 1 puts the revolution in a new perspective and connects imperial China with contemporary China. The course also throws a light on equality vs inequality globally and in China. The course is controversial in that it reflects duly and appropriately the complexity of Chinese social history and its development as opposed to the black-and-white view on China which still persists in the West. I also liked the very down-to-earth approach of Prof Lee.

By Médéric D

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Jan 17, 2018

Very interesting, I would recommend this course.

By Matt M

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Oct 19, 2017

Informative, relevant, and unique. The focus on recent discoveries unearthed through original research is refreshing.

By Sara T

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Oct 25, 2017

Well presented material, new and surprising insights. Rewarding experience.

By Fabian F

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Jul 24, 2017

I liked the data-driven, very analytic approach to understand Chines history better. Thank you for a great course.

By Yasmin C

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Jul 06, 2018

A little bit slow at first, amazing for people who just want to have some contact with the history and culture of china!

By Gabriel M R L

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Aug 14, 2018

Very good

By Jonathan G

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Feb 28, 2018

This course was boring as hell.