HIS 339 Mao & Chinese Revolution

This course is designed for students to understand Mao Zedong, the controversial leader of Chinese Communist Party for more than 40 years, in the context of the Chinese revolution, as well as to understand the Chinese revolution through examining Mao's thought in depth. Was Mao a 'peasant revolutionary'? Why could Chinese Communist Party achieve victory in 1949? These are some of the topics this course attempts to address. Throughout the semester, we will read scholarly books on Mao and his thought, Mao's own writings, and a case study of the Chinese revolution. We will also watch some movies on the Chinese revolution. HIS 339L Advanced Research Lab required if course is offered as 3-credit plus lab. Fulfills writing-intensive requirement. Prerequisite: HIS 237, HIS 239, or HIS/POS 300. Spring