HISTORY OF ASIA
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
None
The final exam consists in an oral examination (four questions) concerning the readings suggested for the “General” and “Monographic” parts of the course, specifically:
-two questions concerning the reading by Enrica Collotti Pischel, Storia dell’Asia Orientale, 1850-1949, Roma, Carocci, 1994.
-one question concerning the reading by Kai Vogelsang, Cina. Una storia millenaria, Torino Einaudi, 2014 (ch. 8, 9)
-one question concerning the reading by David Ludden, Storia dell’India e dell’Asia del Sud e del Sud Est asiatico, Torino, Einaudi, 2011 (ch. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
The final mark (expressed on a scale of 30) will take into account the accuracy of the answers (worth 60% of the mark), as well as students’ analytical and presentation skills (worth 40% of the mark).
The course provides an in-depth knowledge of the History Asia during the 19th and 20th century.
Among the learning objectives we find:
• the knowledge of the main processess and events that characterized the modern history of Asia in a global perspective;
• the ability to interpret, discuss and present the acquired information under the lens of the historical processes;
• the ability to understand the social and political dynamics in Asia in the framework of the Asian international relations;
• the capacity to understand the premises and the results of the historiographical debate among scholars as well as the public debate on the mass media.
The course aims to analyze the contemporary history of Asia from a global perspective, initially addressing the traditional structures of Asian societies and continuing with the changes related to colonial rule, finally arriving at the emergence of nationalisms and events related to decolonization. Particular attention will be paid to the birth and evolution of the People's Republic of China and the independence processes of India and Pakistan, which will serve to reflect on the crucial weight of religion in defining identities and political balances in South Asia.
The course explores the history of modern Asia in a global perspective, specifically the changes of traditional social structures determined by the European colonization, the subsequent emergence of nationalisms and the main stages of decolonization. The course focuses on the origins and evolution of the People’s Republic of China and the processes of independence of India and Pakistan.
The course is structured in three parts.
1) A "general part" (of about 20 hours) outlines the history of Asian states and empires in relation to the changes determined by the progressive integration of the area in the system of global exchanges. Particular attention will be devoted to the analysis of the forms of colonial domination Europe (and, to a lesser extent, the U.S.) established in the continent by the middle of the 19th century, in order to assess the impact of this influence in economic, social, and cultural terms until World War II.
2) The "monographic part" (of about 20 hours), focuses on the more recent developments in the history of China and India, chosen for their importance in the global economy and in the future assets of international relations. The history of China is scrutinized starting from the establishment of the People’s Republic to its consolidation in the framework of the Cold War and the evolutions following the opening to the market economy. The history of India is explored by following the stages of its emancipation from Great Britain and in its complex relations with Pakistan, with the aim to reflect on the crucial role of religion in the definition of identities, political assets, and economic perspectives in Southern Asia.
3) The third part of the course includes a series of interdisciplinary seminars in "crossover" mode (i.e., with the presence of other faculty members from the graduate program or outside guests) in which some topics covered in class will be explored in depth through different keys.
Course content
General part
The course will analyze the main processes affecting Asian countries from the late modern age to 1945, and in particular:
-Asia and early globalization
- The British colonization of India
- The destruction of traditional China and the challenge of Europe
- The founding of modern Japan
- The partitioning of Asia among the powers
- The great season of political nationalism in the aftermath of World War I
- The struggle for Chinese unity and independence and the growth of nationalism in Southeast Asia
- China and Japan in the spiral of war
Monographic Part.
This course will focus on the historical evolution of China and India in the 20th century, specifically addressing the following topics:
- Modern China (1912-1978): Mass society and totalitarianism
- China's second modernity (1978 to the present): World society and nationalism
- The processes of decolonization in South Asia
- India Pakistan. Two countries in conflict.
- Religion and nationalism
The educational objectives of the course will be achieved through the mode of face-to-face lectures (totaling 52 hours), during which documents, images, short videos and films will be presented and discussed. Attending students will be offered the opportunity to prepare a final paper on a topic agreed with the lecturer (in the form of a PowerPoint file of the length of 10-15 slides), which will be presented orally in class. Those who attend at least 50 percent of the class hours will be considered attending.
Students are required to previously schedule a meeting by sending an e-mail to catia.brilli@uninsubria.it