Description
The fall of China's last imperial dynasty in 1911 ushered in a period of political instability, fragmentation, and social discontent. This module explores the themes of war, revolution, and social discontent in the first half of twentieth-century China. Challenging conceptual assumptions of what constitutes 'modern China', students will be encouraged to think broadly about key concepts pertaining to modernity, state-society relations, civil society, regional fragmentation, rural-urban divide, and the impact of war on society and people. The module will consider this period through an examination of: competing ideas of political governance and contestation, nation-building, the changing role of intellectuals, the rise of militarism, shifting gender relations and familial dynamics, the formation of ideology, the emergence of new social groups, the role of peasants, the social impact of war, and the flowering of urban and popular culture. Students will also be encouraged to draw upon their existing historical knowledge to explore comparisons and parallels between China and other parts of the world.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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