China and Japan

I. China After the 13th century.

A. General overview of traditional Chinese perception of the universe and human experience.

B. Chinese dynasties since the 13th century.

1. Yuan (Mongol rule) 1279-1368.

2. Ming 1368-1644.

3. Qing (Ching) 1644-1912.

4. Communist state 1949-present.

C. Basic elements of Confucian thought: right doing leads to right being.

1. The Five Aspects of Deliberate Tradition.

2. The Five Constant Relationships.

D. Basic elements of Taoist thought: right being leads to right doing.

1. The Yin-Yahng: who's to say what is good or bad?

2. Wu Wei and efficient power.

E. Ming landscape painting.

1. Shen Zhou, Qiu Ying.

2. Compare to earlier Sung Dynasty.

3. The Chinese perception of space; contrast with Western techniques of linear/aerial perspective.

F. Architecture.

1. Geomancy: Northern and Southern Ch'i.

G. Literature: The Dream of the Red Chamber.

H. Performing Arts: The Beijing Opera (video excerpt).

 

II. Japan After the Fifteenth Century.

A. General overview of traditional Japanese perception of the universe and human experience.

B. Historic periods since the fifteenth century.

1. Warring States Period 1477-1600 (Muromachi, Azuchi-Momoyama)

1. Tokugawa (Edo) 1600-1868.

a. 1853: Commodore Perry enters Edo Bay.

2. Meiji 1868-1912.

3. Modern era 1912-present.

C. Basic elements of Shinto thought.

1. Kamis.

2. Reverence for land, nature, and ancestors.

D. Basic elements of Zen Buddhism.

1. Intuitive enlightenment.

2. The overcoming of duality.

3. The immediacy of experience.

E. The Samurai.

1. Bushido.

2. Seppuku.

F. Visual arts.

1. Landscape painting.

2. Woodblock prints (recall 19th c. European interest)

3. Architecture.

4. The Japanese garden.

G. Literature.

1. Five Women who Loved Love.

2. The Haiku.

H. Performing Arts.

1. Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku: video introduction.

2. Film: Kurusawa's "Dreams" ((video excerpt)

 

| Back to Homepage | HUM 146 Syllabus |