DSMgrA03 History of China in Antiquity

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2015
Extent and Intensity
4/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Vladimír Liščák, CSc., DSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jarmila Bednaříková, CSc.
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each even Monday 15:50–19:05 A21
Prerequisites (in Czech)
DSBcA021 Bachelor's State Exam
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim is to give an overview of the history of ancient China for students of non-sinological historical disciplines. At the end of the course, students should gain knowledge about the important stages of the history of ancient China and their cultural development.
Syllabus
  • 1. Prehistoric and early dynastic China. Mythical rulers of early antiquity. Archaeological findings from before 2200 BC. Predecessors of Chinese characters; 2. The period of the Bronze Age. The first state formations. Xia and Shang Dynasties (about 2200-about 1045 BC.). The state and society, economy, religion, the military and warfare. Developments in China outside of the traditional Xia and Shang Dynasties; 3. Predynastic and early dynastic period of the Zhou (about 1045-771 BC.). Origin of dynasty, populated areas, major cities. Western Zhou period. Feudal system ("feudalism in China"). Causes of state fragility; 4. The period of political fragmentation. Warring States Period (Chunqiu and Zhanguo). Eastern Zhou (770-221). Hegemonic system and military alliances. Reforms of important rulers; 5. China and "barbarians". Great Wall of China. The first state formations on the territory of Tibet; 6. Beginnings of intellectual history ("Hundred of Schools") and science. Astronomical observations, historiography; 7. The first unified empire of Qin (221-206 / 202 BC.). Mythical origins and early national period (9th-4th century BC.). State reform 4th century BC. (Shang Yang). Way to unite the empire, the final defeat of the six major states (230-221 BC.). The first emperor, his reforms and construction companies. The first remote "speed roads"; 8. Reasons fall of the First Empire ("The failure of the Qin Dynasty"). Great popular uprisings. Transition Period (209-202 BC. N. L.). Establishment of the Xiongnu Confederation, the beginning of international relations; 9. Establishment of the Han Dynasty. Period of Western (or early) Chan (206 BC-AD 9). The new governmental structure. "Golden Age" of the Han Empire, the reign of Emperor Wudi (reigned 141-87 BC.). The beginnings of dynastic historiography (Sima Qian); 10. Wang Mang dynasty (AD 9-23). Reforms, recovery of the Zhou. Rebellion of Red Eyebrows. Renewed Han Dynasty (Eastern / Later Han, AD 25-220). The state and society, economy, religion, the military and warfare, the legal system; 11. External Policy of Han Empire, penetrating to the west and north. The Qiangs, Xiongnus. Origins of the Silk Road, expansion into Central Asia. Administrative System in Chinese Central Asia. South and southwest as the Qin and Han; 12. The end of the Han Dynasty, the main causes. Rebellion of the Yellow "turbans". Heterodox sects of the Han dynasty. Spread of foreign religion to China from the West
Literature
    recommended literature
  • SIMA, Qian. Kniha vrchních písařů : výbor z díla čínského historika. Edited by Olga Lomová, Translated by Timoteus Pokora. 1. vyd. Praha: Karolinum, 2012, 645 s. ISBN 9788024621548. info
  • LIŠČÁK, Vladimír. Dějiny Číny, Taiwanu a Tibetu v datech. 1. vyd. Praha: Libri, 2008, 782 s. ISBN 9788072773640. info
  • LEWIS, Mark Edward. The early Chinese empires : Qin and Han. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2007, 321 s. ISBN 9780674057340. info
  • KOLMAŠ, Josef and Jaroslav MALINA. Panoráma biologické a sociokulturní antropologie 21: Čína z antropologické perspektivy (Panorama of Biological and Sociocultural Anthropology 21: China from Anthropological Perspective). Editor: Jaroslav Malina. Brno (CZ): Nadace Universitas Masarykiana v Brně, nakladatelství a vydavatelství Nauma v Brně, 2005, 475 pp. Modulové učební texty pro studenty antropologie. ISBN 80-210-3218-9. info
  • Popular religious movements and heterodox sects in Chinese history. Edited by Hubert Michael Seiwert. Boston: Brill, 2003, xvi, 548 p. ISBN 9004131469. info
  • The Cambridge history of ancient China : from the origins of civilization to 221 B.C. Edited by Michael Loewe - Edward L. Shaughnessy. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999, xxix, 1148. ISBN 0521470307. info
  • FAIRBANK, John King. Dějiny Číny. Translated by Martin Hála - Jana Hollanová - Olga Lomová. Praha: NLN, Nakladatelství Lidové noviny, 1998, 656 s. ISBN 8071062499. info
    not specified
  • VÁVRA, Dušan. Antologie textů k náboženství Číny (Chinese religions - anthology). 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2011, 299 pp. info
Assessment methods
written test
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2014, Spring 2018, Spring 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2015, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2015/DSMgrA03