Introduction to Chinese History

All terms

Next application period: 24.3 – 20.4.2025. Read more about the application process! 

Students from the University of Turku can apply directly via Peppi. 

Course study period: 1.10.2024 – 31.7.2025

Level: Introductory course/intermediate

Language: English

Amount of credits: 5 ECTS

Time: The course is continuously ongoing. Students can start taking the course once they receive information about acceptance. The set study period extends to the end of that study term.

Organizer: Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku

Instructor: Professor Lauri Paltemaa

Goals: Students will learn the general course of Chinese history from the beginning of the Chinese civilization to the present, its major phases, events, personages, and developments. As transferable skills, students will learn how to assimilate and understand large amounts of new information through following lectures and reading research literature, as well as academic English listening and writing skills.

Contents: The course introduces students to Chinese history from the Stone Age to the present. The focus is on the political development and change of the Chinese state, classical Chinese political philosophy, and statecraft, dynastic political system, the dynamics of the interaction between ‘barbarians’ and the Chinese civilization as well as Western influence in China. Also, the modern and contemporary histories of China are introduced and the historical roots of modern Chinese society are discussed during the course.

Taken as: Online course with lectures and literature; exam (arranged once a month)

This course does not have a fixed schedule. When you have watched the lectures and read the obligatory materials you can take the exam. A home exam is arranged once a month.

 

Application process:

Students who hold a valid study right at University Network’s member university can take this course for free. This includes both degree students and exchange students.

Other students can apply to the course as external self-paying students of the University of Turku OR via the Open University at the University of Turku.

This course does not have enrollment limits.

Go to the application instructions by clicking here.

Once your application has been processed, you will receive a message about the decision. This will come a few weeks after the application period has ended. If you are accepted to the course, you will receive a welcoming email on the first day of the course, and gain access to the course site in Moodle. The welcome email comes to the address you have given in the application form. It may go to the spam or offers folder of your email (at least Gmail tends to do it), so check those folders too.

Photo: Lauri Paltemaa. Asianet Material Bank