Economic History of China: From the Silver Age to Reform and Opening, 1500-1990

This seminar explores the economic history of China from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, half a millennium during which China not only became part of the world economy, but in fact defined its development in major ways. Over the course of the semester, students will be exposed to the main debates in the field of Chinese economic history while acquiring a strong grasp of the nuts and bolts of how economy functioned and changed from the imperial to the modern times. Situating China within a comparative perspective, we will examine a multitude of debates ranging from the global silver age of the sixteenth century to the birth of capitalism, to socialist economy, and to the PRC's recent involvement in Africa. We will in particular discuss the contradictions that arose out of China's integration to a world economy and the different kinds of economic regimes that existed and continue to exist within China. While this course assumes a basic familiarity with Asian history, students with backgrounds in other world histories and/or social science disciplines should feel comfortable with the course material.
Course Attributes: EN H; BU Hum; BU IS; AS HUM; AS LCD; FA HUM; AR HUM

Economic History of China: From the Silver Age to Reform and Opening, 1500-1990

EAST ASIAN STUDIES 3167

Section 01