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World
Civilizations: Instructor: |
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In the pursuit of learning, every day
something is acquired. |
Email: jana@uakron.edu
this syllabus is online at: http://www3.uakron.edu/worldciv/russ/wc-travel.htm
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Course Objectives
1. To examine the geography, history, religion, and basic cultural
elements of
2. To “walk in Chinese shoes,” to gain a critical understanding and
appreciation of a Chinese worldview and be able to reflect on that worldview in
light of one’s own life.
Course Requirements
- Take part in the three-week
Travel Study Trip to
- Attend five other class get togethers prior to the trip, during which we will see
slides of
- At least three pieces of Writing:
- A journal you will keep of your experiences as we travel.
- a Critical Book Review of an historical novel or biography you will select from a list of readings (you look in the “Scar Literature” section)
- and a Reflection Paper based upon what you have read and the journal you will keep throughout your trip.
- Additional readings prior to travel: various short web-based primary texts available on the China Resource page, my web pages, and as clickable links through the online version of this syllabus.
- Web /email discussion questions will be based on the readings. You will need a valid UA email account and access to Zipline.
The text book for this course is:
Papers
Papers will be due after you return from the trip--be sure you know the due
date on the papers. Late papers will not be accepted unless you
have made prior arrangements with me and have a very good reason, even then they may still be subject to grade
reduction. All papers must be typed, double-spaced, in no larger
than 12 point font, with 1 inch margins (for help visit the Writing Lab in 215
Carroll Hall and also look at the guidelines for writing term papers on the
"China Resource Page" at http://www3.uakron.edu/worldciv/china/resource.html
). There are computers available in the Polsky
building, the GSC, and the library.
Writing Lab
For those who need help with papers expert tutorial
assistance is available at the Writing Lab, which is located in Carroll Hall,
room 212. Students are encouraged to make appointments, but may also drop
in to see if a tutor is available. For appointments call 972-6548.
Grading
You will be graded on three written assignments: your journal (20% of your grade), your book review (20%), and your reflection paper (40%). Another 20% of your grade will be for participation in class, in email or bulletin board discussions and in participation and cooperation on the trip.
Plagiarism
Just don’t do it!
Plagiarism will result in the automatic failure of the course and may be
reported to the Dean for possible academic discipline. Plagiarism
includes:
1. Using a paper, or portions of a paper, that someone else wrote (this
includes too closely paraphrasing sentences in a text!)
2. Using a paper that has been previously turned into another class or turning
in the same paper to two different classes
3. Using the ideas or words of another writer without giving proper
credit/citation
Be certain in every paper that you document all
sources quotes and consulted that are sources of ideas you use. Use MLA
citation styles. If you are ever unsure whether you are plagiarizing,
come and see me. I will not penalize you for making a mistake, as long as
you come and talk to me about it before turning in your paper.
Attendance and Participation
There is a large amount of material to cover in this course--your attendance
and active participation are essential. We only have five meetings before
the trip to cover preparatory material. We can adjust the course times
and meeting places to try to meet everyone's needs. You may only miss one
class without penalty. The second absence may result in a full letter
lowering of your grade. If you miss more than three classes, you risk
failing. Don’t be late--recurrent tardiness will be counted as an
absence! The easiest way to improve your grade is by active participation
in class discussions. If you never talk in class, or are abusive in your
talk, your grade may suffer.
“A young man should serve his parents at home and be respectful to elders outside his home. He should be earnest and truthful, loving all, but become intimate with “jen” [humanity]. After doing this, if he has energy to spare, he can study literature and the arts.” --Confucius
Tentative Schedule
Meeting 1: Geography and Ancient Empires
Read: web texts:
"The Mandate of Heaven" and "Chinese
Language and Writing". Choose a biography or novel from the list and get my
approval on it.
Slides of cities we will visit, Film: “Unruly Dragon”
Websites to visit: see "Cities and Sites in
Meeting 2: Religion and Philosophy, The Scholar
Gentry and the Confucian Bureaucracy
Read: your novel, web texts: "Selections
from the Confucian Analects," "Dao
De Ching" and "Examples
of Filial Piety"
Film: “The Great Wall”
Websites to visit: "History
Timeline" with commentary by dynasties
Meeting 3: Women and Families, the changing role of
women from ancient times to the Communist Era
Read: your novel, web texts: “Chinese
Footbinding”, "Views
of a Female Confucian”, and "Women
in China"
Film: “Small Happiness” (additional suggested film for
viewing on your own: "Raise the Red Lantern")
Meeting 4: The fall of the Empire, Mongols to Manchus and Foreign Invaders
Read: finish reading your novel, web texts: "Commisioner Lin’s letter to Queen Victoria and The
Opium War"
Film: “The Forbidden City” (additional suggested film
for viewing on your own: "The Last Emperor")
Websites to visit: Virtual Tour of the
Forbidden City, "Nanjing Massacre"
Meeting 5:
Read: web texts: "SunYat-sen: Fundamentals of National Reconstruction"
Film: “To Live”
Websites to visit: "The
Cult of Mao", "Tiananmen
Square"
I recommend taking your novel and text along on
the trip, you will find it useful to have reading material on the planes and
trains. Papers are due within 4 weeks
from return date of