Time Schedule:
Stevan Harrell
SISEA 470
Seattle Campus
Interaction between China and the peoples of its periphery, including Inner Asia, Tibet, Northern Mainland, Southeast Asia, and aboriginal peoples of Taiwan. Emphasis on ethnicity, ethnic group consciousness, and role of the Chinese state. Prerequisite: either ANTH/SISEA 370, HSTAS 454, LING 203, or one 200-level ANTH course. Offered: jointly with ANTH 470.
Class description
Knowledge about the various minority peoples and cultures in historical and contempoary China. Ideas about how these peoples have related to Chinese centers of political, economic, and cultural power. Critical skills for assessing media and popular reports and impressions about China and about ethnic relations in the contemporary world. Improved writing skills.
Student learning goals
Know the geographical distribution and history of China's minority peoples.
Be able to read critically in the areas of China' minorities and Chinese nationalism.
Improve critical reading of journalistic and scholarly accounts of cultural difference and ethnic relations.
General method of instruction
Lectures/discussions intermingled. Guest lecturers who are experts on particular peoples and cultures. Some slide shows and films
Recommended preparation
Basic background in cultural anthropology helpful; some knowledge of China and recent Chinese history also helpful.
Class assignments and grading
A series of papers or essays to be assigned by the instructor at intervals. Not every assignment will be required; students will have some choice as to which assignments to complete. There will be a choice of topics on each assignment.
Essay grades only.
