Wikipedia talk:Education program archive/Rice University/History of Chinese Women Through Time (Spring 2014)/Course description

Introduction
This discussion- and research- based course uses history, biography, law, fiction and film to examine the experiences and images of Chinese women from the late imperial time to the present. Topics include foot-binding, matriarchy, social constructs such as the Tiger Mom and the submissive Asian woman, crime, art etc. Students will write a final paper based on primary sources, and there will be one mid-term project involving a collaborative online experience.

Course Description
Why and how should we study Chinese women? Today in the twenty-first century, are we still debunking the Orientalist image of a submissive Chinese woman, devoid of agency, barely emerging from centuries of footbinding and marital oppression? Or perhaps the conventional historical narrative on Chinese women has been driven by hidden agenda, leading to typecasting Chinese women as “dragon ladies,” “tiger moms,” and “Suzie Wong’s”?

In this course, we will examine the different methodologies used in the field to study Chinese women, and decide for ourselves what methodology, if any or maybe more than one, would work best to study Chinese women, and determine if there is any truth to these stereotypes. The course will study women from selected periods in Chinese history, but concentrate mainly in the modern period, i.e. the years from the late nineteenth century to present day. Historically they correspond roughly to the late Qing Dynasty, the Republican period up to the Communist revolution in 1949, and to the People’s Republic to 2013. In each segment we will explore different historical actors and different genres of literature in an effort to achieve a multivalent understanding in the narrative of Chinese women.

At the end of the course, I hope that everyone would have gained three important skills: to think critically when reading any historical writing, to be able to discuss these materials eloquently, and to write a research paper with depth and style. In addition, your Wiki entry would be a much needed and appreciated contribution that will educate a wide online audience in real time, thus helping elevate the level of knowledge of countless citizens.

Technology Policy
Since this is a discussion class, the use of laptops, smart phones, iPads, and other technological devices is not permitted unless approved in advance. Violations, including texting and web browsing with your phone, will be severely penalized.

Timeline
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