This course introduces students to major research tools and source materials for the study of premodern China. Topics will be guided in part by students’ research interests, with particular attention to the expanding and increasingly important universe of digital resources.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the term, students will be able to:
- identify and critically evaluate key research tools used in classical Chinese studies;
- demonstrate practical experience in producing an annotated translation of a classical Chinese text.
Assessment of Learning
This course follows the grading practices outlined in the Academic Calendar. For details on individual components, please see the Assessment section.
| Attendance/Participation | 25% |
| Research guide | 25% |
| Annotated translation | 50% |
Important Dates
| Jan. 8 | First Session |
| Jan. 16 | Last date to withdraw without the “W” standing |
| Midterm break | Feb. 16–20 |
| Mar. 6 | Last date to withdraw |
| Mar. 12–15 | AAS |
| Apr. 9 | Research guide due |
| Apr. 23 | Annotated translation due |
Learning Materials
Wilkinson, Endymion. Chinese History: A New Manual, 7th ed. Pleco, 2025. Also available through Amazon Kindle Store and Apple Books. For our purpose, students may also opt to use the 6th edition, which is not as up-to-date but is available in the Reference section of both the Asian Library and Koerner.
Office Hours/Learning Lounge
You will likely have questions over the course of the term. Please feel free to contact the instructor (preferred forms of address: Mr., Dr., or Prof. Shin) via email or through Canvas. The usual response time is within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. Please use your UBC email address whenever possible.
Office hours are held by appointment (sign-ups).
A Learning Lounge is also available under Discussions in Canvas for students to post—and respond to—questions. Respectful and constructive netiquette is expected and appreciated.
Acknowledgment
UBC’s Point Grey Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. This land has long been a place of learning, where the Musqueam people have passed on their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next.