Assuming no prior familiarity with China or its culture, this course examines China¿s continuous changes from the 1800s on, in its cultural traditions, identities, daily life, social relations, and self-perceptions, engendered by both internal initiatives and external contact. We look at how changes unfolded in mass movements and in individual lives, in statecraft thought and in societal practices. We examine the roles of such historical actors as the extended family, modern reformers, the state, the parties and ethnic groups. Participants learn to use primary sources in making historical observation and to critique some analytical approaches to modern Chinese history. Since we rely heavily on assigned readings, active class participation is essential in this course.