HIST 394 - Tibet & China:The Consequences of Unsought Unification

Institution:

Trinity College

Subject:

Description:

This course will examine the parallel histories of Tibet and China up to 1950 and their convergence soon after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Tibet's relationship with China was never simple dependency nor were ethnically Tibetan lands organized according to the template for local government devised by Chinese dynastic states. Tibetan political and religious elites, traders, farmers, and nomads formed a pattern of life on the high plateau in virtual isolation from the political currents of Chinese life. Today, however, Tibet's unique folkways, religion, and culture are increasingly at risk as the Tibetan Autonomous Region is influenced by Chinese settlement, forms of political organization, new patterns of education, and ambitious economic blueprints. The course will be launched by two weeks of intensive study on Trinity's ampus in Hartford (June 20--June 30). During these two weeks, participants will meet daily to discuss a group of core readings. In addition, films and other relevant materials that cast light on Tibet's historical engagement will be introduced. On July 1, the class will leave Hartford for three weeks (our return to Hartford will be on July 25) in the PRC and Tibet. During this phase of the course we will visit Beijing, Chengdu and its environs, Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Reting. One trek and informally organized hikes will be integrated into the travel schedule. A detailed itinerary will be geneated by mid-March. This course can be taken together with Professor Laura Harrington's course, Buddhism in Tibet: Yesterday & Today for a second summer school credit. 1.00 units, Lecture

Credits:

1.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.Trincoll.edu

Phone Number:

(860) 297-2000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.