Asian History
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a critical knowledge of the political developments and key events from the history of South, Central and East Asia from the second half of the 19th century to the present, with a focus on China, India, Japan and Pakistan. Students will also gain an understanding of the factors that have contributed to the antagonisms and territorial disputes that run through the region. The ultimate goal of the course is to build on students' previous learning by providing them with the tools necessary to understand and critically assess the political and geopolitical dynamics of contemporary Asia from a historical point of view and how these dynamics interact with the wider international system.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will have a firm grasp of the landmarks in the modern and contemporary history of South, Central and East Asia and the institutional and cultural dynamics that have affected the region. They will also understand the relationships between the main regional actors and those with other actors outside the region, and they will be able to discuss these issues using the most appropriate vocabulary.
The knowledge and skills learned will enable students to independently continue their studies in the field of international affairs and to work in various professional environments.
The knowledge and skills learned will enable students to independently continue their studies in the field of international affairs and to work in various professional environments.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The first unit will analyze the events that led to the emergence of India and Pakistan and the disputes that since then have divided them, mostly related to the Kashmiri issue. These disputes are analysed within their regional context and in light of internal challenges, with a focus on ethnic and religious tensions. The bilateral relations will be analysed also in the context of the Afghan wars and current humanitarian crisis, which will be the object of the last lectures of the 1st unit.
The second unit will focus on the contemporary history of China, from the decline of the Qing Empire in the XIX century to the present. The Chinese "short XX century" and the challenges that the Country faces today will be presented in the wider context of East Asia and South Asia. In particular, the course will consider the diplomatic and economic relations with Japan. The aim of the course is to provide insights into the political, economic and cultural dimensions of the Chinese path to modernity.
The third unit will examine political, diplomatic, economic and cultural aspects of contemporary history of Japan, from the late nineteenth-century expansionism, the Empire defeat in 1945, the reconstruction and economic boom years, until the recent quest for a new Japanese identity. This unit will consider the changing role of Japan in East Asia, considering China and the Korean peninsula in a comparative perspective.
The second unit will focus on the contemporary history of China, from the decline of the Qing Empire in the XIX century to the present. The Chinese "short XX century" and the challenges that the Country faces today will be presented in the wider context of East Asia and South Asia. In particular, the course will consider the diplomatic and economic relations with Japan. The aim of the course is to provide insights into the political, economic and cultural dimensions of the Chinese path to modernity.
The third unit will examine political, diplomatic, economic and cultural aspects of contemporary history of Japan, from the late nineteenth-century expansionism, the Empire defeat in 1945, the reconstruction and economic boom years, until the recent quest for a new Japanese identity. This unit will consider the changing role of Japan in East Asia, considering China and the Korean peninsula in a comparative perspective.
Prerequisites for admission
-
Teaching methods
Lectures, discussions and presentations
Teaching Resources
Unit I (attending students):
- I. Talbot e G. Singh, La spartizione. 1947: alle origini di India e Pakistan, il Mulino, 2012 , chapters 2, 5 e 6.
- Fiori, Milani, Passeri, Asia. Storia, istituzioni e relazioni internazionali, Le Monnier, 2022, ch.2 (part 3 ), ch. 2 (parte 4 ), ch3 (part 5) .
Unit I (non attending students):
- I. Talbot e G. Singh, La spartizione. 1947: alle origini di India e Pakistan, il Mulino, 2012, chapters 2, 5 e 6.
- Fiori, Milani, Passeri, Asia. Storia, istituzioni e relazioni internazionali, Le Monnier, 2022, parts on South Asia , that is: chapters 3 (part 1); 4 (part 2); 2 (part 3); 2 (part 4); 3 (part 5)
Unit II (attending and non-attending students):
C. Holcombe, A History of East Asia, Cambridge University Press, 2017 (pp. 217-240; 259-264; 273-278; 330-349)
G. Samarani, La Cina contemporanea. Dalla fine dell'impero a oggi, Einaudi, 2017
Unit III (attending and non-attending students):
R. Caroli, F. Gatti, Storia del Giappone, Laterza, 2017 (ch. 5-11).
A. Revelant, Il Giappone moderno, dall'Ottocento al 1945, Einaudi, 2018 (parts 2 e 3).
- I. Talbot e G. Singh, La spartizione. 1947: alle origini di India e Pakistan, il Mulino, 2012 , chapters 2, 5 e 6.
- Fiori, Milani, Passeri, Asia. Storia, istituzioni e relazioni internazionali, Le Monnier, 2022, ch.2 (part 3 ), ch. 2 (parte 4 ), ch3 (part 5) .
Unit I (non attending students):
- I. Talbot e G. Singh, La spartizione. 1947: alle origini di India e Pakistan, il Mulino, 2012, chapters 2, 5 e 6.
- Fiori, Milani, Passeri, Asia. Storia, istituzioni e relazioni internazionali, Le Monnier, 2022, parts on South Asia , that is: chapters 3 (part 1); 4 (part 2); 2 (part 3); 2 (part 4); 3 (part 5)
Unit II (attending and non-attending students):
C. Holcombe, A History of East Asia, Cambridge University Press, 2017 (pp. 217-240; 259-264; 273-278; 330-349)
G. Samarani, La Cina contemporanea. Dalla fine dell'impero a oggi, Einaudi, 2017
Unit III (attending and non-attending students):
R. Caroli, F. Gatti, Storia del Giappone, Laterza, 2017 (ch. 5-11).
A. Revelant, Il Giappone moderno, dall'Ottocento al 1945, Einaudi, 2018 (parts 2 e 3).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam (three questions) with the aim of assessing the knowledge of the themes dealt with by the programme, the capacity to interpret them in a critical manner and to espouse them with an adequate terminology
SPS/14 - ASIAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Dornetti Filippo, Giunchi Elisa Ada
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
Videocall on Microsoft Teams. An appointment request in advance via email will be appreciated.
Reception:
Friday 4 PM-7 PM
MICROSOFT TEAMS