Page 112 - SYU Prospectus

Shue Yan University Prospectus 2018-19

HIST 350 China and Europe in the Making of the Modern World
1 Term; 3 Credits
This elective course is a “sequel” to HIST 220 The Modern World with a specific focus on
the interaction between the West and the "Sinicized" East Asia represented by China. A
thematic approach is adopted to examine major social, political, cultural and economic
developments affecting the interaction of the two sides, and to explore contributing factors to
the “Rise of the West” versus the “Decline of China” over this past half century, which had
helped shape the modern world.

HIST 351 History of Christianity in Modern China
1 Term; 3 Credits
This third-year elective course attempts a concise overview of the historical development
of Christianity in the transformation of modern China. This course focuses on the impact of
missionary movement and the reactions of the Chinese from the early 19th century to the
mid-20th century. A special emphasis will be placed on the analysis of cross-cultural
interaction and exchange with missionary activities in various aspects of religion, science,
education, publication, medical service, social welfare, etc. This course constitutes an
important basis for understanding the history of relationship between China and other
countries.

HIST 360 History of Chinese Culture
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course scrutinizes the evolvement of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism in
China and the transformation of Chinese intellectual and social thoughts and mass mentality
from antiquity to modern days. It emphasizes the continuity and change of those cultural
thoughts throughout Chinese history, and the socio-political and economic factors that have
given rise to their development and certain challenges they face in modern society. This
course also encourages critical and creative thinking about Chinese culture and what makes it
distinctly “Chinese” by delineating the basic assumptions underlying Chinese thought and
behaviour. In comparing China, where appropriate, with other civilizations this course also
aims to highlight the cultural heritage that we as human beings commonly share.

HIST 361 Historical Geography of China
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course is designed to introduce students to the historical development and changes
of different regions in China. Relevant materials extracted from historical works are studied.
Main topics include the following: 1) Introduction, 2) Ancient climatic changes in China, 3)
Development of the border areas, 4) Population history of ancient and medieval China, 5)
Changes in the course of flow of the Yellow River and Yangtze River, 6) Canal building in
ancient and medieval China, 7) The origin and development of cities in Chinese history.
The course aims to:
1) introduce the history of ancient China’s natural and human geography;

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