KSCB078 Social History of the Silk Road(s)

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2021
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mag. phil. Ute Wallenböck, Dr. phil. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Dušan Vávra, Ph.D.
Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. et Mgr. Dušan Vávra, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 10:00–11:40 VP
Prerequisites (in Czech)
KSCA001 Introduction to Chin. Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
In recent years, the slogan of the “New Silk Road” / Belt Road Initative has shaped not only the international relations of the PRC in particular with its neighboring countries and Europe, but also the dialogue among different civilizations. In fact, tracing back in history, the “Silk Road” was and is a place for economic diffusion, cultural exchange and transfer, but also for spread of disease/network of infections. This course on the ancient as well as on the New Silk Road will focus on the “connectivity of the civilizations” along this trade route.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, the students understand how the Silk Road(s) influenced and still/again influences the development of (nomadic) societies in China and Central Asia. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: - Identify and describe the various routes of the Silk Road(s) -Describe the relations between China and its neighbours as well as the dialogue between the different civilizations along the Silk Road(s) - Analyze China’s soft power and cultural diplomacy through civilizational connections - Identify European explorers, traders and missionaries describing the Silk Road(s) and the involved civilizations - Analyze primary source documents as well as secondary sources that elucidate cultural exchange along the Silk Road.
Syllabus
  • During the course, we work with texts on the following topics: 1. The Invention of the Silk Road(s) 2. Ferdinand Freiherr von Richthofen 3. Explorers of the Silk Road 4. Spreading of Religions along the Silk Road 5. The Silk Road(s) as a Network of Infections/Diseases and China’s “Health Road” 6. The New Silk Road / Belt Road Initiative 7. Cultural Dimension of the New Silk Road
Teaching methods
Online (MSTeams): Read, discuss, present and critically analyse materials
Assessment methods
+ Attendance is part of the evaluation, as well as active participation. + Preparation for each class (reading of assigned articles/book chapters) + Submission of homework according to the deadline (no extension is possible) + (Group)Presentation. All above mentioned criteria have to be fulfilled for a positive grade.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2021/KSCB078