Chinese Intellectual History: An Introduction

China’s rich history often remains elusive to the Western world. This course will shed light on the history of thought in China and provide students with a solid framework for future engagement and understanding. We will explore China’s key intellectual traditions and the ways they have shaped East Asian societies. The major traditions of Classical and Neo-Confucianism, Daoism (Taoism), Legalism, and Buddhism will be examined and key figures from across China’s long history will be considered. Through an in-depth examination of primary sources in translation, students will gain insight into the development of each major tradition, from classical origins to the modern East Asian consciousness. Join us for a journey of discovery that will enrich your understanding of Chinese and East Asian culture and inform your engagement with this region of the world.