(Duiker 65-87; Brians 162-165, 169-175)
Questions about Duiker: Explain the concept of a heavenly mandate. How does the book of Mencius say peasants should be treated? What are the two key elements of Confucianism discussed by Duiker? What were the main views of the legalists? How is Daoism (Taoism) different from Confucianism? How did Daoism influence Chinese art? *What were some of the main achievements of Qin Shi Huangdi? Why did Li Su recommend the burning of certain books? What system was established in the Han dynasty for choosing bureaucrats? What important things were invented during the Han Dynasty? What were traditional Chinese attitudes toward women? How did the Chinese solve the problem of communicating among the various languages spoken in various regions?
Questions about Confucius’ Analects: *What are the main values taught by Confucius? What are the main characteristics of a gentleman? Which does he say is more important for an orderly state: food, weapons, or a government that one can trust? How did he reply to questions about sacrifice and the ghosts of the dead?
Questions about the Ta-Hsüeh: How does this reading emphasize the traditional Confucian value of the importance of knowledge? Questions about Han Fei Tzu: What attitude does Han Fei express toward the common people? *What kinds of stern measures does he suggest should be enacted for their own good?
Questions about Ban Zhao’s “Lessons for Women:” *On what one subject does Ban Zhao insist on the rights of women? Does she hold a romantic view of marriage? Explain your answer.
Question about “Examples of Filial Piety:” Which do you think is the most extreme of these examples? Why?
Lecture topics:
Chou Dynasty
Period of chaos, classical age
Ch’in Dynasty
Confucianism vs. Legalism
Confucius: major ideas
The stereotype of legalism
The First Emperor
Ch’in Shih Huang-ti: major accomplishments, crimes
Buddhism
Buddhism’s reaction to Taoism
Major period of Buddhist art: T’ang Dynasty
Han Dynasty
Major period of stability
Trade
With Central Asia, Mediterranean
Science & Technology
Seismograph, compass, paper
Supplementary materials:s