HSHM 447b/680b

Seminar: History of Chinese Science

Instructor: Professor William C. Summers, M.D., Ph.D.
Office: 332 BASS
email to instructor: (click here)

Spring Term-2009

(Section 2) Tuesday 130-320 pm, Room 318 LC;

(Section 1) Thursday 130-320 pm, Room 112 WLH

SEMINAR ABSTRACTS: Click here for Abstracts of Student Seminar Presentations (to be read prior to class!).

An in depth study of selected major themes in Chinese scientific thinking from antiquity to the twentieth century. The goal of this seminar is to guide the students in readings and discussions about the fundamental aspects of Chinese thought and cultural history as it relates to Chinese scientific activities. As a Junior Seminar in History, this course will also emphasize historical research skills and techniques as well as experience in seminar presentation.

During the first 8 weeks there will be a brief survey of the major periods in Chinese history followed by a survey of selected topics on Chinese Science. Assigned background reading will supplement the study of original sources. [in English].

Also during the first 8 weeks each student will begin research on a topic for the final term paper and for presentation to the seminar in the final 6 weeks of the course. These topics will be selected from a list of subjects designed to complement each other. By the end of week 8 a preliminary draft of the paper (1000 words) is due and will be precirculated to the seminar in advance of the student's seminar presentation (30 minutes) which will be scheduled during the final 6 weeks of the course. A final draft of the paper (3000-5000 words) is due at the end of the term. Three major thematic topics will be included: The origins of Chinese scientific thought, Natural history and materia medica in China, and Science in 19th and 20th C. China.

Two books are essential for this course (available at Labyrinth Books)

J. Gernet, A history of Chinese civilization, 2nd edition is a fine general treatment of Chinese history from antiquity to the present with more than the usual attention to intellecual history and the history of science and technology.
J.W. Lewis and L.-t. Xue, China builds the bomb is an account of the scientific and political background to China's development as a nuclear power.

Course Packet: Reading materials for most seminars will be in the form of articles, primary sources (in translation), and some literary pieces. These are available as a "Course Packet" from York Copy/Docuprint at 27 Whitney Ave. Course packet items are indicated with an asterisk (*) in the syllabus.

Reading required: For first several weeks the reading will include general background material on Chinese history for those students without previous course work in that subject and will be about 100 pages/week. After that, the reading for the classwork (exclusive of preparation of the final paper) will be about 50 pages/week.
Other requirements: Attendance and participation in the seminar are essential. Each seminar participant will undertake research on a specific topic which will later be developed into a substantial paper (ca. 15-20 pages). This paper will require research into primary sources, analysis of such sources, and development of a coherent argument and thesis. This paper will serve in place of the final examination. By 25 March 2009 a draft (1000 words) for precirculation to the seminar is due. Each student will present the results of her/his research to the seminar in a scheduled 30 minute talk during the last 6 weeks of the term. The final grade will be based on both the quality of the paper and the quality of participation and contribution in the seminar.

SEMINAR: HISTORY OF CHINESE SCIENCE [DRAFT]

(Material designated *** is in the course packet)

15 Jan: Science in China: then and now

22 Jan: Chinese Cosmology: Yin-Yang and Wu Xing

PRIMARY TEXT: Nathan Sivin, "The Myth of the Naturalists"***
BACKGROUND READING: For general history of the period see: J. Gernet, "A history of Chinese civilization, 2nd ed." (1996): Chapters 3 - 8.

29 Jan: Origins of Chinese scientific thought in the Han Dynasty

PRIMARY TEXT: Selections from the Huai nan tzu (ca. 139 BC) ***
BACKGROUND READING: Charles Le Blanc: "Huai Nan Tzu", pp. 1-8 ***

5 Feb: Chinese medical thought

PRIMARY TEXT: Selections from the Huang ti nei ching [The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine] ***
BACKGROUND READING: Paul U. Unschuld, Chapter 3 in Medicine in China: A History of Ideas 1985. ***

12 Feb: Natural history and materia medica in China

PRIMARY TEXT: Ko Hung: Nei P'ien (Introduction and Chap. 4: Gold and Cinnabar, in J.R. Ware's translation) ***
BACKGROUND READING: Ho Peng Yoke, Li, Qi, and Shu pp. 173-194***

19 Feb: Natural history and materia medica in China (continued) [Class will meet in the Yale Art Gallery, Asian Collection]

PRIMARY TEXT: Li Hui Lin: Nan-fang ts'ao-mu chuang (A 4th century flora of Southeast Asia) ***
BACKGROUND READING: Paul U. Unschuld, Selections from Medicine in China: A History of Pharmaceutics 1986. ***

27 Feb: Science in 19th Century China

PRIMARY TEXT: A.A. Bennett: John Fryer: The introduction of Western science and technology into 19th century China.***
BACKGROUND READING: Gernet: A history of Chinese civilization , pp. 530- 600.

5 Mar: Science in 20th Century China (continued)

PRIMARY TEXTS: Lu Xun: "Medicine" ***; L. Schneider (ed.): Lysenkoism in China: Proceedings of the 1956 Qingdao Genetics Symposium. (selections) ***
BACKGROUND READING: D.W.Y. Kwok, "The doctrinal impact of modern science on Chinese thought." Chapter 1 from Scientism in Chinese thought, 1900-1950 (1971) ***
BACKGROUND READING: Gernet: A history of Chinese civilization , pp. 602- 657.

=======SPRING BREAK =========

26 Mar: Science in 20th Century China (continued)

PRIMARY TEXT: J.W. Lewis and Xue Litai, "China Builds the Bomb"
BACKGROUND READING: Gernet: A history of Chinese civilization , pp. 660- 681.

2 Apr:

Student Seminar Presentations: TBA

9 Apr:

Student Seminar Presentations: TBA

16 Apr:

Student Seminar Presentations: TBA

23 Apr:

Student Seminar Presentations: TBA

Final Paper Due: 5:00 PM, 1 May; hand in at drop-box outside WLH 315

Term Paper Information:

Schedule:

By 1 Feb: Selection of topics: consult with instructor on sources and research strategy

Weeks of 5 Feb - 26 Mar: Conduct research on the topic of final paper: Individual meetings with instructor to discuss final paper: the aims of the paper; the use of research sources; methods of citation; the general scope of the paper.

25 Mar: Preliminary draft (1000 words) due. This draft will be basis for seminar presentation scheduled for weeks of 2 April and thereafter. 1 May 2007: Final paper due (3000-5000 words).

Possible topics for papers (definitely not limiting):

1. The nature of "proof" in Chinese mathematics

2. History of mechanical calculating aids

3. Chinese cosmology in art, literature, religion

4. Chinese conception of time and timekeeping devices

5. Natural history as art in the East and West

6. Genetics and crop breeding in early China

7. East-West exchange of natural products, plants and animals

8. Historical role of the Nei Ching in Chinese medicine

9. Comparison of the search for elixirs of immortality in the East and West

10. Western medicine in China in the 20th C.

11. The role of the physician in Chinese society

12. Physics, cosmology, and Chinese music

13. History of ethanol in China

14. History of navigational theory practice in China

15. Epidemic disease in China and societal responses

16. Medicine, physicians and healing as portrayed in Chinese literature

17. Forensic science in China

18. Cross-cultural comparison of some particular concept about nature.

19. Calendrical science in China

20. Books of historical importance in Chinese medicine

This page last updated: 12 Jan 2009

email to William C. Summers: (click here)