Readings for Week 5

Topic 3 Reading Guide

Introduction
1) What does Professor Harlow say are the main points of topic 2 and 3 and how will they fit together into topic 4?
2) What is the importance of the Port City?
3) How is Vancouver a Port City?
4) How does Mrs. Marianne Postans describe Bombay? What changes does she in the city and to transportation? How are these changes significant?

Robert Clive Describes the Battle of Plassy
1) Who fights in this battle?
2) What does the identity of the participants in this battle say about the unity/disunity of India?
3) What are the numbers of soldiers involved in the battle? How do the two forces compare?
4) Who wins the battle? Considering the comparative number of soldiers, what kind of impression might this give people about the capability of Indian and European/British soldiers?
5) What does the last sentence of Clive’s report say about attitudes towards Indians?

On Indian Education
1) How does Thomas view Indian literature in comparison with English literature?
2) What language does Thomas think should be adopted?
3) What does he think English will do, by what process will civilization spread to the Indians?
4) What are the dangers of this to the British Colonial Empire?

On Sati
1) What is it?
2) Who is opposed to it?
3) What is the basic argument of those who are against getting rid of Sati?
4) What is the basic pro abolishment argument?
5) What does Lord Bentick think?
6) How does this relate to current human rights discussions?

Supplemental Reading:
The Rise of British Power in India, 277-300. This chapter actually goes a little bit past the period for topic 3, but reading ahead won’t hurt anything.

Wikipedia

In Asia 101, Wikipedia is not an acceptable source for research for the papers (just look at their disclaimer, found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:General_disclaimer, and you will see why). A much better source available for UBC students can be found here:
http://toby.library.ubc.ca/resources/infopage.cfm?id=672

This links to the online Oxford Reference library. In addition to a general encyclopedia there are a wide variety of other useful resources. Just click on the "connect via the web link".

Assignment One

I was mistaken in that I said you could go back a bit earlier to find article for assignment one. Only articles published after January 21st, 2007 can be used for the three articles needed for the assignment.

Preparation for Week Four Discussion

We will mostly be focusing on India and the rise of vernacular literature. Make sure you have done the readings, especially those by Bahinabai. Time permitting we will also have a look at China. I will hand out the supplemental paper guidelines. If you have any questions about the papers or the reading guides or lectures, please bring them.

Readings for Week 4

I'm not sure if we will be able to complete topic 2 during week 4. However, I went on ahead and prepared a reading guide for those parts in topic 2 that were not covered in the reading guide for week 3.

Tukaram: ‘god-crazy’
1) Why is Tukaram said to be god-crazy?
2) How does Tukaram view himself?
3) How is poetry and worship related?
4) How are these poems “vernacular”?

Topic C. Southeast Asia Circa 1600
Introduction
What is the danger of emphasizing Europe and the year 1511 in our understanding of Southeast Asia?

Topic 2 D East Asia: Two Sixteenth Century Europeans Perceptions:
No 1 Selections from the Diary of Matteo Ricci
1) How does Matteo Ricci view (a Italian Jesuit) view Chinese technical abilities?
2) How does he compare Chinese and Western styles of printing?
3) How would the ability to print cheap books affect society, especially in regards to the vernacular?
Note: Matteo Ricci would not have written “BCE” as that notation did not exist when this journal article was written.

No 2 St. Francis Xavier Letter from Japan, to the Society of Jesus in Europe, 1552
1) How does Xavier characterize the Japanese people?
2) How does he view Buddhism (the religion of the bonzes)?
3) What difficulties did some Japanese have with Catholic Christianity?
4) How did Xavier resolve this difficulty?
5) How do the Jesuits form a world wide system?
6) How does Xavier view China? (Note: Matteo Ricci follows Xavier Chronologically, he was born in the year this letter was written)

Supplemental readings
Topic 2 C doesn’t have a direct chapter but there is a chapter that gives information Europeans in Asia and information on Southeast Asia: 229-247
Topic 2 D 245-275 (Yi/Choson Korea, 181-183)

Themes
1) The rise vernacular literature
2) Early meetings between Asians and Westerners
3) The importance of religion

Textbook

In discussion I said I wasn't sure if I would assign pages from the textbook. I have decided that I will keep assigning pages as supplementary reading. If you have a strong interest in Asia or want to maximize your chance of getting a good grade I would recommend that you do these readings. While there is some information in the textbook that doesn't directly relate to what we are studying, as a whole, it will give you a good understanding of the historical context for what we cover in lecture. This will in turn help you on the tests. So I would recommend at the very least going to the library and skimming the reading. If you have the money, I would encourage you to buy and read the textbook.

Readings for Week 3

We will not be going over this information in week 3 discussion. However, Professor Harlow has
asked that students read this material before lecture on Tuesday. It will help a lot if you have already read it.

Topic 2 Reading Guide

Introduction of Topie 2 Notes (it says Topi 1 Asia in circa 1600 but it is actually Topic 2)
1) How did Jahangir see the Portuguese and the English?
2) What primary activity are Asians and Europeans engaging in together?
3) Were there Asian empires? If so, who ruled who?
4) What changes were taking place that allow us to refer to the 1600’s as part of the “early modern” period in Asia?
5) How was European technology, even when superior, viewed by Asians?

Topic 2. B. 1 ‘The Great Moguls’

1) What was the Mughal (Mogul court) like?
2) What is the Mughal state like?
3) What problems do the Rajahs cause? How does the Great Mogul deal with them?

Topic 2. B. 2 Bahinabai’s Sorrows

1) Why is Bahinabai’s writing significant?
2) Why is her situation so difficult?
3) How is religion a source of conflict between her and her husband?
4) How does religion resolve this conflict?
5) Why does Bahinabai stress service to her husband?

Supplementary Textbook Readings
185-204

Preparation for Week 3 Discussion

I have summarized what I think the main themes are for Week 2 and have also included a reading guide which will help you to understand the Topic 1 Reading. Discussion will focus on the themes as well as give important background information to get us up to 1600 AD (when our class considers the modern period to be underway). I have also included the pages you might want to consider reading in the Murphey Textbook as background information.

Because Professor Harlow has posted extensive notes on the five themes will be examining I will not go over them directly in discussion. However, if you have questions I will be happy to answer them. It's best if you ask me in discussion so that other students can benefit from your questions. If you have trouble answering the questions from the reading guide or if there is something in lecture you don't understand, please bring your questions to discussion.

Important Themes
1) The role of religion in Indian history, especially the rise of Islam in India and the relationship between Islam and Hinduism
2) Spread of Islamic/Hindu/Buddhist religion and culture into Southeast Asia and its lasting effects.
3) China’s self image and how the Ming dynasty related to non-Chinese areas

Reading Guide for Topic 1

First Inscription (Temple of the Goddess of the Celestial Spouse)

1) What does this seem to say about the Chinese state’s self-understanding as the “middle kingdom” (center of civilization)
2) What is the importance of attributing good fortune to the Goddess of the Celestial Spouse? Why is this tied to the Chinese court?
3) What effects do the Chinese say they have on the regions they enter into? Why would they act in this way or make these claims?
4) What sorts of favors does the Goddess of the Celestial Spouse give?

Trilingual Inscription
1) Where was this inscription made?
2) Why are there three inscriptions?
3) How do the three inscriptions differ religiously?
4) Why are different religious ideals utilized in the different inscriptions?
5) Why are offerings given to the various religions?

Supplementary Textbook Readings
India 112-125
Southeast Asia 126-138
China 206-227

Section

Greetings all and welcome to A101! This is the blog for Frank Rausch's A101 sections.

First, I have a correction to make. I told students in my 09 section last semester that I would teach that section again. Unfortunately, because of scheduling conflicts I was not given that section. I'm very sorry about that. All our TA's are good though and it might be good to get a new perspective.

I will be teaching sections 02, 05 and 06.

I'm looking forward to our semester together. See you all soon!

Break

I hope you all enjoy the break. I will see those of you who are taking A101 soon. Good luck with your future education.