China Today through Its History and Culture, with trip to China May 13-23, 2010
Elizabeth VanderVen (evanderv@camden.rutgers.edu), History

In this course, we will explore China's rich 5000-year history and culture through an investigation of several interrelated topics, including China's cuisine, commerce, philosophy, and habits of consumption. Our class meetings will revolve around various primary and secondary sources (textbooks, journal articles, etiquette guides, fiction, film, and recipes) pertaining to these topics. In these discussions, we will constantly strive to link China's past with its dynamic present. The course will culminate in a ten-day trip to China, where we will visit the capital city of Beijing, the Midwestern city of Xi'an, and the bustling modern metropolis of Shanghai. In each city, we will combine visits to important historical sites, such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, and the Terra Cotta soldiers, with visits to sites of contemporary importance. Finally, we will explore and learn about China's complex cuisine by visiting several well-known restaurants and food stalls. Requirements include a short paper, a midterm exam, and a travel journal. Six Wednesday evenings from 6-8:30: 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 10 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Apr.

Cost and payment schedule TBA