HISTORY OF ASIA
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
None
The final exam consists in an oral examination (four questions) concerning the readings suggested for the “General” and “Monographic” parts of the course, specifically:
o Two questions concerning the reading by Enrica Collotti Pischel, Storia dell’Asia Orientale, 1850-1949, Roma, Carocci, 1994.
o one question concerning the reading by Kai Vogelsang, Cina. Una storia millenaria, Torino Einaudi, 2014 (ch. 8, 9)
o one question concerning the reading by David Ludden, Storia dell’India e dell’Asia del Sud e del Sud Est asiatico, Torino, Einaudi, 2011 (ch. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
The final mark (expressed on a scale of 30) will take into account the accuracy of the answers (worth 60% of the mark), as well as students’ analytical and presentation skills (worth 40% of the mark).
Attending students who have presented their final work in class will have to answer three questions related to the indicated reference texts excluding Ludden's volume. The minimum grade for passing the exam is 18/30.
The course provides an in-depth knowledge of the History Asia during the 19th and 20th century.
Among the learning objectives we find:
• the knowledge of the main processess and events that characterized the modern history of Asia in a global perspective;
• the ability to interpret, discuss and present the acquired information under the lens of the historical processes;
• the ability to understand the social and political dynamics in Asia in the framework of the Asian international relations;
• the capacity to understand the premises and the results of the historiographical debate among scholars as well as the public debate on the mass media.
The course explores the history of modern Asia in a global perspective, specifically the changes of traditional social structures determined by the European colonization, the subsequent emergence of nationalisms and the main stages of decolonization. The course focuses on the origins and evolution of the People’s Republic of China and the processes of independence of India and Pakistan, in order to assess the crucial weight of religion in defining identities and political balances in South Asia.
The course is structured in three parts.
1) A "general part" (of about 20 hours) outlines the history of Asian states and empires in relation to the changes determined by the progressive integration of the area in the system of global exchanges. Particular attention will be devoted to the analysis of the forms of colonial domination Europe (and, to a lesser extent, the U.S.) established in the continent by the middle of the 19th century, in order to assess the impact of this influence in economic, social, and cultural terms until World War II.
2) The "monographic part" (of about 20 hours), focuses on the more recent developments in the history of China and India, chosen for their importance in the global economy and in the future assets of international relations. The history of China is scrutinized starting from the establishment of the People’s Republic to its consolidation in the framework of the Cold War and the evolutions following the opening to the market economy. The history of India is explored by following the stages of its emancipation from Great Britain and in its complex relations with Pakistan, with the aim to reflect on the crucial role of religion in the definition of identities, political assets, and economic perspectives in Southern Asia.
3) The third part of the course (12 hours) includes a series of interdisciplinary seminars with the possible presence of other faculty members from the graduate program or outside guests) in which some topics covered in class will be explored in depth through different keys.
General Part
The course will analyse the main processes that affected Asian countries from the late modern age to 1945, and in particular:
-Asia and early globalisation
- The British colonisation of India
- The destruction of traditional China and the challenge of Europe
- The foundation of modern Japan
- The partition of Asia between the powers
- The great season of political nationalism in the aftermath of the First World War
- The struggle for Chinese unity and independence and the growth of nationalism in South East Asia
- China and Japan in the spiral of war
Monographic part
The course will focus on the historical evolution of China and India in the 20th century, specifically addressing the following topics:
- Modern China (1912-1978): Mass society and totalitarianism
- China's second modernity (1978 to the present): World society and nationalism
- The processes of decolonisation in South Asia
- India Pakistan. Two countries in conflict.
- Religion and nationalism
The learning objectives will be achieved through 52 lecture hours. Students are expected to participate in the discussions and analysis of additional materials (documents short videos, films, and images) provided by the lecturer. Attending students will be offered the opportunity to prepare (as an alternative to studying the text authored by Ludden) a final output to be presented in class orally at the end of the course (which will be assessed). The output consists in a 10-to-15-slides powerpoint file on a topic to be chosen in agreement with the lecturer. All those who have attended 50% minimum of the class hours are considered attending students.
Students are required to previously schedule a meeting by sending an e-mail to catia.brilli@uninsubria.it