Special Topics in the Humanities (370-5-23)
Topic
Classical Chinese Political Thought
Instructors
Loubna El Amine
847/467-6068
Office Hours: http://www.polisci.northwestern.edu/people/core-faculty/loubna-el-amine.html
Meeting Info
Scott Hall 201 Ripton Room: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:30PM
Overview of class
Classical Chinese Political Thought
In this course, we read closely the founding texts in Chinese political thought (in translation). We analyze their central concepts, arguments, and concerns and compare them to texts students might be familiar with from other traditions, including the Western tradition. We examine the ways in which the Chinese Classical texts—primarily the Confucian ones—have been used in recent years in intellectual debates, in China and in the West, about democracy, human rights, and global peace. We also touch on the ways these texts have been used by the Chinese government.
Evaluation Method
Two short response papers 30%, final paper 40%, class participation 30%
Class Materials (Required)
Confucius. The Analects. Translated by D. C. Lau. Penguin Books, 1998. ISBN-10 : 0140443487
Mozi. Mozi: Basic Writings. Translated by Burton Watson. Columbia University Press, 2003. ISBN-10 : 0231130015
Mencius. Mencius. Translated by D.C. Lau. Penguin Books, 2005. ISBN-10 : 014044971X
Han Feizi. Han Feizi: Basic Writings. Translated by Burton Watson. Columbia University Press, 2003. ISBN-10 : 0231129696
Class Attributes
Ethics & Values Distro Area