Asian History and Institutions
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a critical knowledge of the major turning points in the history of East Asia from the second half of the 19th century to the present, with a focus on China and Japan.
Expected learning outcomes
- Understanding of the interrelations between regional and global issues;
- Understanding of the historical, institutional and cultural dynamics occurring in the region during the period studied;
- Ability to connect historical and political processes with the institutional and cultural transformations undergone by China and other Asian countries during the period studied.
- Understanding of the historical, institutional and cultural dynamics occurring in the region during the period studied;
- Ability to connect historical and political processes with the institutional and cultural transformations undergone by China and other Asian countries during the period studied.
Lesson period: Second semester
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 semester
Course syllabus
This is a modern Asian history course focussed on two Countries, China and Japan. The aim of the course is to reconstruct the rising of modern state in Asia, from the crisis of the traditional empires in the XIX century, the emergence of the postcolonial states in the XX century, to the present.
The first part of the course 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 second part of the course 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.
Unit I:
1) Introduction; the fall of the Qing Empire and the parable of the republican system.
2) Nationalist government and warlords during the Great Depression.
3) Growth and victory of the communist alternative.
4) Post-World War II, between civil war and reconstruction.
5) Economic policies and diplomacy in the Mao era.
6) Cultural revolution and coming out of diplomatic isolation.
7) The reform era.
8) Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.
9) China in the 21st century.
10) Conclusions.
Unit II:
1) Introduction; the Meiji Restoration.
2) The formation of the colonial empire. The colonial administration in Korea.
3) Japanese politics and diplomacy at the time of the Great War.
4) Economy and social changes in a developing country.
5) Politics and economics at the time of the authoritarian drift.
6) World War II and the collapse of the Empire.
7) The Korean Peninsula in the post-war period.
8) The economic boom and Japanese diplomacy in the Cold War era.
9) The 'lost twenty years' crisis in Japan and the Korean peninsula in the new millennium.
10) Conclusions.
The first part of the course 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 second part of the course 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.
Unit I:
1) Introduction; the fall of the Qing Empire and the parable of the republican system.
2) Nationalist government and warlords during the Great Depression.
3) Growth and victory of the communist alternative.
4) Post-World War II, between civil war and reconstruction.
5) Economic policies and diplomacy in the Mao era.
6) Cultural revolution and coming out of diplomatic isolation.
7) The reform era.
8) Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.
9) China in the 21st century.
10) Conclusions.
Unit II:
1) Introduction; the Meiji Restoration.
2) The formation of the colonial empire. The colonial administration in Korea.
3) Japanese politics and diplomacy at the time of the Great War.
4) Economy and social changes in a developing country.
5) Politics and economics at the time of the authoritarian drift.
6) World War II and the collapse of the Empire.
7) The Korean Peninsula in the post-war period.
8) The economic boom and Japanese diplomacy in the Cold War era.
9) The 'lost twenty years' crisis in Japan and the Korean peninsula in the new millennium.
10) Conclusions.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic knowledge in contemporary history is desirable
Teaching methods
Lectures and classroom discussions. Active participation of students is encouraged
Teaching Resources
V. Zanier, R. Neironi, L'Asia orientale e sudorientale nell'età contemporanea, una storia globale, Bologna, Il mulino, 2026, capp. I, IIV, VI, IX, X, XIII, XIV.
Two essays (one on China and one on Japan) in part two and three of
J.Fogel, The teleology of the modern nation-state : Japan and China, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania press, 2005.
Two essays (one on China and one on Japan) in part two and three of
J.Fogel, The teleology of the modern nation-state : Japan and China, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania press, 2005.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam (2 open-ended 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
GSPS-04/D - History and Institutions of Asia - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Dornetti Filippo
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.