110-052 Chinese Thought

Formerly available as 158-272/372. Students who have completed 158-272 or 158-372 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

110-145 Introductory Chinese 1B or equivalent and a first-year subject in Chinese studies, or a first-year philosophy subject.

In this subject students will be introduced to the major issues in traditional Chinese thought within an East-West comparative perspective. Topics discussed will include the formation of Chinese cultural identity, Chinese notions of Chinese kinship, government and the law, Confucianism, Chinese religion, and Chinese scientific and medical concepts. Students will read and interpret key primary texts in English translation. On completion of this course students will have an overview of key notions in Chinese traditional thinking together with an appreciation of their relevance to contemporary beliefs and practices.

Tutorial participation and written work totalling 4000 words.

• P S Ropp, Heritage of China: Contemporary Perspectives on Chinese Civilisation. University of California Press, 1990.
• P B Ebrey (ed.), Chinese Civilisation: A Source Book. 2nd edn, The Free Press, 1993.