History 4002 John Flower
Fall 1998 126 Garinger
Monday 6 - 8:50 547-4637
Winningham 107 Mon, Wed. 3-5
jmflower@email.uncc.edu
Peasant Rebellion and Revolution in China
This course will consider the role of China’s "peasants" in shaping that nation’s modern history, focusing on the rebellions and revolutions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. We will look at primary sources as well as the accounts of historians and social scientists to address the motivations behind peasant unrest, the ideologies of rebels and revolutionaries, the connections and differences between "traditional" rebellions and "modern" revolution, and the patterns of everyday life in the Chinese countryside that underlie great historical transformations. In addition to the events themselves, we will explore the changing ways historians and others have interpreted these events, and learn about theories of peasant rebellion. The first third of the course concentrates on peasant life in ‘traditional’ China and the peasant rebellions of the nineteenth century. The second third looks primarily to questions surrounding the role of Chinese peasants in the communist revolution. The final third considers theories of peasant rebellion and revolution.
Course Requirements:
1) Class Discussion: You should be an active participant in the discussions, and be prepared to ask and respond to questions in class. I will ask you to prepare a one page precis for each of the assigned readings, on which you will summarize the core point of the reading (the author’s main thesis and interpretation) and raise questions for discussion. These assignments will not be "graded" but they will help me evaluate your performance (and make you do the reading!). Class discussion will account for 30% of your final grade.
2) Short Paper: You will write a five to seven page paper on a topic based on our class readings, and submit the paper September 28. The short paper is worth 20% of your final grade.
3) Research Paper: You will write a 15 to 20 page research paper (on a topic you choose in consultation with me) based on both primary sources and the secondary literature. I will meet individually with each of you in lieu of class on October 5 to discuss your paper topic (please be prepared), and you will present a 2 to 3 page proposal telling me what your topic will focus on, what questions you will try to answer, and what the significance of your topic is to the broader question of peasant rebellion in China. In addition, please prepare a preliminary bibliography showing what sources (primary and secondary) you have located. [Note that we will have a session with the social science reference librarian to help you with your searches]. The final draft of the research paper must be submitted on December 7. The research paper will account for 40% of your final grade.
4) Oral Presentation: You will present to the seminar a short talk based on your research on November 23 and 30. The oral presentation will account for 10% of your final grade.
Attendance is mandatory. All absences must be explained and a typed outline of the missed readings submitted. Assignments turned in late without prior approval will receive an F.
Class Schedule and Assignments:
August 24: Introduction
August 31: Peasant Life in Traditional China
Spence, Death of Woman Wang
[September 7: labor day; no class]
September 14: Peasant Rebellion and Revolution in China, an overview
READINGS (1) Chesneaux, Peasant Revolts in China, 1840-1949
September 21: An environmental interpretation [1]
Perry, Rebels and Revolutionaries (pp. 1-208)
September 25 (Friday make-up section): Continuities [2]
Perry, Rebels and Revolutionaries (pp. 208-262)
September 28: individual meetings to discuss research paper topic
October 5:alternative explanations and historiography (SHORT PAPER DUE)
READINGS (2) Thaxton, China Turned Rightside Up; Wakeman, Rebellion and Revolution
October 12: Fall break; no class
October 19: (4pm-- Library research class)
6pm-- from "old society" to the revolution (PROPOSAL AND BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE)
READINGS (3) Hinton, Fanshen; Potter and Potter, China’s Peasants
October 26: Village Revolution [1]
Selden, et.al Chinese Village, Socialist State, (pp. 1- 133)
November 2: Village Revolution [2]
Selden, et.al Chinese Village, Socialist State, (finish)
November 9: Theories of Peasant Life
Little, Understanding Peasant China (Chapters 1-4)
November 16: Peasant Rebellion and social science theory
Little Understanding Peasant China (Chapters 5-7)
November 23: ORAL PRESENTATIONS
November 30:ORAL PRESENTATIONS
December 7: RESEARCH PAPERS DUE