Spring, 2019 – HST/AAS 233 – The Rise of Modern China – Instructor: Ryan Yokota
Midterm Take Home Essay Prompts
The midterm essay is worth 30% of the total grade for the class. Please follow these standards:
- Include student name, name of class, and instructor name single-spaced at top of first page.
- Use a double spaced 12-point Times/Times New Roman font for body with 1-inch margins.
- Use footnotes according to the Chicago Manual of Style (preferred)
(http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html) or MLA style.
Answer both of the following essay questions in two separate essays, for a minimum of three pages each, and a grand total of at least six pages for the midterm. Both essays together should be no longer than eight pages in length. Please refer specifically to class readings and lectures, including The Search for Modern China textbook. Outside readings are neither allowed nor are necessary for completing this exercise. Please run a spelling/grammar check before uploading your essay to D2L. Plagiarism is prohibited and will result in a failing grade on the assignment and university administrative action.
Essay Prompt 1
The Opium Wars set in motion a fundamental crisis for the 19th century Qing Dynasty which transformed the nature of the East Asian political order. Using the SFMC text, the course readings, and class lectures: 1) Describe the nature of the tribute-trade system as a system of political ordering prior to the Opium Wars, as detailed in the chapter by John Fairbank; 2) Describe the varied approaches to self-strengthening efforts led by reformers such as Zeng Guofan, Feng Guifen, Prince Gong, and Li Hongzhang, and assess their strengths and weaknesses; and finally 3) Describe the rise of popular nationalism according to the writings of Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Zhang Bingling, and Sun Yat-Sen.
Essay Prompt 2
Erez Manela, in his book, The Wilsonian Moment, deals with the question of self-determination, and how Chinese delegates grappled with these views at the Versailles Conference. Using the assigned chapters from Manela’s book, discuss 1) the differences in Lenin’s and Wilson’s views on self-determination; 2) the reception of Wilson’s declarations by Chinese intellectuals and activists in their push for a recovery of Chinese sovereignty; and 3) Describe the betrayal they felt in the Wilsonian liberal moment and its implications for the Chinese revolutionary movement. When possible, include references to reformers and revolutionaries mentioned in class lectures and in the Search for Modern China textbook.
In assessing this midterm, the following criteria will constitute a rubric for grading these essays:
- What is the main thesis of the essay? This should be clearly stated in the first paragraph.
- What are the main points used to support this thesis? Provide concrete examples and judiciously use selected quotes from the readings. Back up all assertions with evidence.
- What conclusion is reached by this evidence? What does it say about Chinese history?
- The best essays show strong control over the readings and make them speak to each other. 5) Do not use “I” statements in the essay, and refrain from casual language or passive voice.
The midterm essays must be uploaded to the D2L dropbox by noon on Monday, April 29, 2019. No late papers will be accepted.
