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
For more details on the individual components, 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
If you will have questions, feel free to contact the instructor (preferred to be addressed as Mr., Dr., or Prof. Shin) through email or via Canvas. The usual response time is within 24 hours (except for weekends and holidays). Please use your UBC email address if possible.
Office hours are by appointment (sign-ups).
A Learning Lounge has also been set up under Discussions in Canvas for students to post—and answer each other’s—questions. Respectful 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. The land it is situated on has always been a place of learning for the Musqueam people, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next on this site.