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This course is a historical exploration of law and justice concepts, institutions, practices, and
cultures in China mainly from the Qing Empire through the twentieth century. It emphasizes
joint-endeavour group learning with a focus on case studies drawn from translated primary
source judicial documents, first-hand testimonies, and literary representations. In this
advanced course with specifically designated roles and requirements for undergraduate and
MA students, respectively, students will also learn from major scholarly interventions and
debates. The aim is to investigate the changing and enduring patterns and practices of law
and justice in China’s past as a means to enriching our reflections on these realms in our
present and our understandings of modern Chinese history.

Week 1: September 7 Introduction: Thinking about the Language and Cultures
of Law and Justice in Modern China

Week 2: September 14 Mentalities of Justice and the Legal System

Week 3: September 21 Imperial Codes and Judicial Administration amid the
Ideology of Ritual

Week 4: September 28 The High Qing Legal System in Practice

Week 5: October 12 Late Qing Justice Cultures and the Revolutionary
Reforms of Legal Modernity

Week 6: October 19 A “Modern” Legal System Imposed and Negotiated

Week 7: October 26 The Justice of Nation-State Making, War and Revolution

Week 8: November 2 Versions of Mao Era Revolutionary Justice

Week 9: November 9 Law and Order States Resurgent on Taiwan and the PRC

Week 10: November 16 Quests for Order and Justice amid Economic Rise

Week 11: November 23 Study Week: Optional Individual Meetings

Week 12: November 30 Turn of the Century Contestations over Law and Justice

Class Participation & Reading Group Discussion Leadership (UG 20% / MA 10%)
Performance-Analysis Presentation (10%)
Supreme Appellate Court Assessments (10%)
Learning from Cases Reports (10%)
Briefs & Commentaries (2) (UG 25% / MA 20%)
MA Report with Summary & Commentary (20%)
Final Summary & Commentary (UG 25% / MA 20%)