Course Description
China’s Cultural Revolution was a violent mass movement which drastically affected the lives of all who lived through it. Through eye witness accounts, government memos, political cartoons and other primary source documents, this course will focus on the major events that led to Mao Zedong’s revolution, and issues and events that dramatically impacted Chinese society beginning in the early 20th century through present day.
This course is an approved Survey Course in Non-Western History for teacher certification in Connecticut.
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical thinking through inquiry-based discussion, interpretation of primary source materials, writing assignments, group presentations and exams.
- Determine how the actions of young adults and students have impacted Chinese society through analysis of primary source material and group discussion.
- Produce a (power-point) presentation elaborating on the long-term effects of the Cultural Revolution on China's society, economy, government and/or culture.
- Identify key figures and events during the 20th century and their social and economic impact on present day China.
- Debate the overall effectiveness of Mao Zedong's tenure through inquiry-based discussion.
- Critically evaluate the merits and constraints of government dictated societal policies that prevail in present day China through both written work and discussion.
- Understand how China's changing economic policies both directly and indirectly impact society.
- Measure the effectiveness of various non-violent techniques used by the Chinese government to influence its citizens during the 20th century.
- Examine how the role of revolution is embedded in China's socio-political views.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (20 Pts, Weeks 1-8) | 20% |
Writing Assignments (Weeks 1,2,4,7) | 20% |
Quizzes (Weeks 3, 5) | 10% |
Presentation and Peer Critiques (Week 6) | 25% |
Final Exam (Week 8) | 25% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Benson, Linda. China Since 1949. 3rd ed. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2016. ISBN-13: 978-1-138-99909-1
- Heng, Liang and Shapiro, Judith. Son of the Revolution. First Edition. Random House, 1984. ISBN-10: 0-394-72274-4
Course Schedule
| Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,2,4,7,8,9 | Topic: China and Tiananmen Square Readings:
Video:
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2 | 1,2,4,5,7,8,9 | Topic: Mao’s Rise To Power Readings:
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3 | 1,2,4,5,8,9 | Topic: The Cultural Revolution Readings:
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4 | 1,2,4,6,7,8 | Topic: Deng’s Rise to Power Readings:
Video:
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5 | 1,2,4,6,7,8,9 | Topic: Tiananmen Square Revisited Readings:
Video:
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6 | 1,3,4,6,7 | Topic: Student Presentations Readings:
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7 | 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9 | Topic: China in the 21st Century Readings:
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8 | 1,2,4,5 | Topic: Final Exam Readings:
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.