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| SYLLABUS |
| Instructor: David G. Atwill
Office: 413a Weaver
Tel: 865-1218 Office Hours: W 2-3:30 p.m. and by appointment e-mail: dgatwill@psu.edu Course URL: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/dga11/HIST175_2008.htm |
Course Description: This course will begin by examining the end of numerous Asian imperial dynasties and early European contact with East Asia in the 19 th century before examining the rise of democratic structures. Throughout the class we will employ a variety of political, cultural and gendered lenses to highlight the varied nature of change. This course is premised on the idea that conspicuously highlighting political and military events to the detriment of religion, culture and societal trends is an undesirable goal. Thus, students should be prepared for (and excited about) investigations into and discussions about the manner in which art, religion, philosophy and architecture offer an intimate understanding of the historical process. |
Required Reading: Five books are required for this course. The primary textbook, East Asia: Identities and Change in the Modern World (Schoppa), is meant to serve primarily as background reading not a substitute for the lectures. The four secondary books correspond to four significant areas and eras in modern Asian history. Finally in the weeks there are no quizzes I have assigned 3 or 4 primary documents available through the course website. Not having purchased the book (or not being able to have it shipped in time) is not a valid excuse for not reading the assignment. TITLE: East Asia: Identities and Change in the Modern World TITLE: Makiko's Diary: A Merchant Wife in 1910 Kyoto TITLE: Family TITLE: When Broken Glass Floats TITLE: The Struggle for Modern Tibet: The Autobiography of Tashi Tsering |
Videos: The other facet of this course you will soon discover is my reliance on videos, the internet and other audio elements. East Asia is likely an area only peripherally known most of you so it is not enough to simply talk about it, rather we will need to SEE, EXAMINE, and LISTEN as well. Yet, given the contentious debate over Asia's place in the past and present few treatments are completely free of bias. As a result, there is an expectation that you will watch, listen and analyze such “non-lecture” elements of my course. In this light, when I show videos I expect you to take notes, be able to summarize and use it as a source of information which you will include in your responses on the quizzes. |
| Points: 100 pts - Attendance
(more than 3 unexcused absences will result in 10 pts deduction per absence) Final grades will be based according to the following breakdown: A = 1000 - 930 pts B+ = 899 - 870 pts C+ = 799 - 770 pts D = 699 - 600 pts |
Attendance, Discussion and Participation: I have found over the years that an essential element in students excelling in this course is to actually need to attend the course. As a result to encourage this 10% of your grade (100pts) will depend simply on your physical presence in class. Attendance will be taken at the start of every session. Those who miss more than three (3) days of class for reasons other than emergencies or university approved reasons will have their participation and attendance grade deducted 10 pts per unexcused absence. Alas, to do well in this course one must do more than show up. The students who desire a B-grade or above need to display through ACTIVE discussion that one has done the reading and thoughtfully engaged the material. Quality discussion also will depend on the readings being discussed with one another and responding to each other rather than routing each and every query, thought, or idea through the professor. For the few individuals who suffer from the delusion that quantity equals quality those who insist on dominating discussion with excessive comments that add little or nothing to the topic at hand will have their participation grade lowered. |
Book Quizzes: There will be four book quizzes which will be administered on the day that each of the books is assigned. The short quiz will test your knowledge of the material (through matching, multiple choice questions or IDs. In addition, a short written response offering your own interpretation of the book). Prior to each quiz discussion terms and questions will be provided (on-line) to suggest some themes, ideas of inquiry and possible lines of interpretation. Aside from exceptional circumstances (bodily dismemberment, coma, or a freak blowdart accident) no make-up exams will be allowed. If you must miss a class it is your responsibility to inform the instructor prior to the absence. Alternate methods of evaluation are up to the discretion of the professor. On the day there are quizzes we will also be discussing the book. |
