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Syllabus Use the Past to Serve the Present Representations and Manipulations of the Past in Modern China - 46174
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Last update 18-09-2024
HU Credits: 2

Degree/Cycle: 1st degree (Bachelor)

Responsible Department: Asian Studies

Semester: 2nd Semester

Teaching Languages: Hebrew

Campus: Mt. Scopus

Course/Module Coordinator: Prof. Gideon Shelach

Coordinator Email: gideon.shelach@mail.huji.ac.il

Coordinator Office Hours: Thursday 11:00-12:00

Teaching Staff:
Prof. Gideon Shelach

Course/Module description:
Since ancient times the history and the past were used in China as a source of legitimation. The phrase “Use the Past to Serve the Present” (以古事今) which originates from the pre-imperial period resonant in the sayings of modern and current leaders of China, such as Mad Zedong. In this seminar we will examine materialistic aspects of the use of the past in contemporary China. We will look at the “ownership of the past” through the presentation of archaeological relics in museums and collections and the preservation of ancient sites. We will also examine the presentation and manipulation of references to the past in public monuments and plastic art. A special emphasis will be placed on the effects of changing political, economic and social conditions in China during the 20th and early 21st centuries on ways in which the past is presented to the public.
The seminar will review theoretic issues related to the manipulation of the past in the present. Following this, we will analyze various relevant case studies. The seminar can be of interest to students of ancient and historic periods as well as for those interested in modern and current China. It is also relevant for students interested in the theoretical and comparative aspects of the processes that took place in China.

Course/Module aims:
The course if built around a few central issues. For each issue there is a relevant reading assignment. The students must read it before the relevant class and prepare to discuss it. All reading is available through http://moodle2.cs.huji.ac.il/nu15/ The seminar grade will be calculated as followed: participation in class (20%), presentation of the seminar work in class (20%); the seminar work (60%)

Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Possess good foundation knowledge of the ways in which the past is being used in modern and current China.
2. Comprehend the main ways in which the past is expressed in the Chinese public domeain.
3. Possess good foundation knowledge of relevant theories relevant to the topic of the seminar.
4. Demonstrate appropriate level of critical analysis of short and long term processes discussed during the classes.

Attendance requirements(%):
100

Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: Combination of frontal teaching, discussions, and short students lectures

Course/Module Content:
see detailed subjects and schedule in the course site: https://moodle.huji.ac.il/2024-25/

Required Reading:
see detailed subjects and schedule in the course site: https://moodle.huji.ac.il/2024-25/

Additional Reading Material:
see detailed subjects and schedule in the course site: https://moodle.huji.ac.il/2024-25/

Grading Scheme :
Essay / Project / Final Assignment / Referat 70 %
Presentation / Poster Presentation / Lecture/ Seminar / Pro-seminar / Research proposal 30 %

Additional information:
Detailed syllabus, more resources, and much more information, can be found in course website:
https://moodle.huji.ac.il/2024-25/
 
Students needing academic accommodations based on a disability should contact the Center for Diagnosis and Support of Students with Learning Disabilities, or the Office for Students with Disabilities, as early as possible, to discuss and coordinate accommodations, based on relevant documentation.
For further information, please visit the site of the Dean of Students Office.
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