GE1501 Chinese Civilisation - History and Philosophy

Course Objectives

Introduce basic knowledge, key concepts and major events in Chinese history and philosophy
Introduce the assessment of source materials
Train critical thinking in historical and philosophical analysis and interpretation
Help students identify the “self” in the modern world

No English sections will be offered to students in Summer Term.

Tutorial group project themes for Semester B 2021/22

Tutorial class section	Name of tutorial tutor	Group project themes
TB1	BLIX Bjoern Aage Coombes	Student groups are free to choose their own themes for this course (subject to approval). Every student, of every group, must submit individual coursework that is relevant to their group’s theme. Below is a short list of suggested group themes for the tutorial. Group A: Yin and Yang (The Idea of Chinese Origin and Philosophy of Change) Group B: Mandate of Heaven (The Dynastic Cycle—Rise and Fall; “Politics”, “Leadership”) Group C: Chinese Spiritual Life (Divination, Sacrifice, Alchemy, Chinese Medicine and so on) Group D: Chinese Freedom (of belief, election, speech and so on) Group E: Chinese Family
TB2	VEISAITE Agne	Students are free to choose their own topics related to the philosopher of the week. Group A: Confucius The meaning of ritual (li 禮) in Confucianism The meaning of sacrifice and spirits in Confucianism: relation with the dead Confucianism and the notion of an exemplary person (junzi 君子) Relational self: Confucianism and the importance of relationships Personal identity. What is the role of individual in Confucian society? Jesuits and the problem of “Westernised” Chinese philosophy Group B: Mozi Mozi and the order of the world based on rewards and punishments Mozi and the idea of universal love (impartial caring) jian ai 兼愛 Mozi in comparison to Utilitarianism Mozi and moral psychology: what prevents us from donating more to charities? Group C: Mencius Mencius on human nature Mencius and the concept of the four sprouts (siduan 四端) Mencius debate with Xunzi on human nature: is human nature good or bad? Mencius and moral psychology: what “a child falling into a well” tells us about human nature? Group D: Daodejing (Laozi) The concept of dao: order of the universe The paradox of wu-wei (無為) Laozi and the Philosophy of Flow (Spontaneity) Laozi: How should ideal society look like? Group E: Zhuangzi Zhuangzi and the use of language Zhuangzi and the plurality of perspectives Zhuangzi and the story of a butterfly Zhuangzi’s perspective on death
TB3	MINEEVA Aleksandra Olegovna	The concept of “learning” in Confucianism Yin and Yang metaphysics in early Chinese philosophy Historical situation and development of philosophy in Pre-Qin China Dynastic cycle and alternative ways to look at Chinese history Bureaucracy and its role in the development of Chinese civilization Needham Puzzle – does it make sense and what are the ways to answer it? The Concept of Change in Chinese culture Chinese aesthetics – what is beautiful and why? Traditional Chinese family: what is special about it, how is it similar or different from the traditional family system in your country? A portrait of a great ruler. Compare Confucian, Daoist and Legalist perspectives.
TC1 TC2 TC3	Rickard Sebastian GUSTAVSSON	Group A: The Chinese Family Group B: Chinese Language and Script Group C: Examination Culture in Imperial China Group D: Chinese Science and Technology Group E: Chinese Philosophy
TC4	LI Yiwen	Group A: Families in Chinese History Group B: Chinese Religious Beliefs Group C: Chinese Science and Technology Group D: Chinese Arts Group E: Cities in Chinese History

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Please note that the Cantonese, Putonghua and English sections of GE1501 Chinese Civilisation - History and Philosphy will continue to be offered. Student are encouraged to take GE 1501 according to their study plan.

Enquiry: cah@cityu.edu.hk