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School of Culture History and Language · ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
The course examines the archaeological evidence for broad-scale cultural and social developments in China from the time of arrival of modern humans (ca. 40,000 years before present) through the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220). Specific topics include: the nature of early hunting and gathering societies; the emergence of plant and animal domestication; the development of metallurgy and the roles of agriculture, technology, trade and warfare in the rise of advanced civilisation during the Shang and Zhou periods; innovation and competition among the Eastern Zhou states; the significance of ancient texts; the unification of China under the First Emperor; and continuing political, intellectual and artistic achievements during the 400-year-long Han Dynasty.
Participation and leadership in class and tutorial sessions
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 5
An oral presentation (20 minutes)
Learning outcomes 2, 3, 4
First essay (2000 words)
Learning outcomes 3, 4, 5
Second essay (2000 words)
Learning outcomes 3, 4, 5
The course will meet for 4 hours per week. Student workload is estimated at 10 hrs/week. The total workload for the course is 130 hours including in class time and independent study.
Recommended Textbooks: The following book will be extensively consulted throughout this course: Chang, K.C. and Pingfang Xu (ed.) 2005. The Formation of Chinese Civilization: An Archaeological Perspective. New Heaven and London: Yale University and New World Press. Other Recommended Books: Liu, Li and Xingcan Chen. 2012. The Archaeology of China: From the Late Paleolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Cambridge University Press, New York. Anne P. Underhill (Editor) 2013 A Companion to Chinese Archaeology. Wiley Blackwell, New York. Preliminary Reading A complete list of assigned weekly readings, taken from the above books and other additional sources, is provided for each the class schedule section. PDF copies of these class readings will be uploaded to Wattle site.