History 246: Food, Ritual & Performance: Cultural History in Late Imperial China

How did transformative cultural changes such as introductions of new crops, fluctuating pilgrimages, and new works of drama and literature influence the lives of Chinese from 1500-1900?  Topics include the introduction of the chili pepper, shifting meanings of pilgrimage sites, cultural practices reflected in literature, and beliefs of groups fomenting uprisings such as the Taipings and Boxers.  Throughout the semester, we will link these topics to themes such as class and gender.  Readings for the course will include recent scholarly writings as well as a variety of primary (original) sources, including religious texts, plays, novels, art works, calendars, illustrated books, and diaries.  Classes will be discussion-based with some lecturing.  Assignments will include presentations and papers. May be taken for credit toward the Chinese major or minor.