Chinese Geography, early history (Neolithic, Shang and Zhou) language and writing development

What rivers, and other geographical features characterize the Chinese landscape? Can you explain the weather patterns? How is the north different from the south? How is China situated with regard to other civilizations?

There are two very early cultures in the Yellow River valley of China, the Lungshan and the Yangshao named for their pottery, and from which come respectively the Shang and Zhou dynasties. What level of civilization characterizes these two early cultures and what early indications of Chinese culture can you see in them?

Characterize the Shang culture of around 1600 BCE as to food, social divisions, war and weaponry, agriculture, metalworking, religious beliefs and practices.

The Zhou dynasty (1123-256 BCE) is divided into several subdivisions: Western (1123-771 BCE) and Eastern (771- 256 BCE); the Eastern is further subdivided into the Spring and Autumn periods (722-481 BCE) and the Warring States period (480- 221 BCE). Characterize the Eastern Zhou and the Western Zhou with regard to changes in population, metalworking, warfare, the emerging idea of diplomacy, the development of the idea of a single state and any other pertinent points.

How is it believed writing developed in China? Can you give any characteristics of the Chinese language?

What is meant by the time of The Hundred Schools of Philosophy; when was it?

The Book of Songs and the Songs of Chu:

The Book of Songs (Shi Jing/Shih Ching) contains mostly folksongs, how were they collected and why?

The pieces in the Book of Songs are categorized into three types: airs (feng), courtly (ya) and ceremonial (song). What are the differences among these in use and expression? Can you give examples of each?

What is the story of Qu Yuan for whom the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated?

The poem for which Qu Yuan is most famous is the narrative poem Li Sao or Encountering Sorrow. Although it begins realistically enough the second part becomes a kind of fantastic journey; in both parts, what is Qu Yuan writing about?

The Summons of the Soul is shamanistic; explain this.

Daoism:

The two main books of Daoism are The Dao de Jing (Classic of the Dao), and The Zhuangzi, the Book of Master Zhuang; which came first and how do they differ?

Trying to find a fixed meaning in the Dao de Jing is like trying to hold water, what concepts is the author trying to convey and how does he go about conveying them?

What is a quote from the Dao de Jing that you think captures the writer's intent?

Zhuangzi tells us many stories to illustrate his interpretation of Daoism; what is one and how does he go about showing us what he wants us to see?

What elements in society might respond to Daoism? How did it fit into the emerging philosophical landscape of China and how did it develop from there? Remember there are two roads out of Daoism, called by scholars the contemplative and the purposive; where did each lead?

Confucianism:

What is the historical background of Confucius (Kong Fuzi) life and writing?

What are the Five Relationships that Confucius sees as defining society?

There are several words one must understand to see what Confucius was teaching; one is ren (humanheartedness), another is li (ritual, or rules of conduct). How did Confucius use these two and the above-mentioned Five Relationships to map out a system of ethical actions through which a society could prosper peacefully?

Mencius (Mengzi) was a follower of Confucius who furthered his teachings, how did Mencius change what Confucius taught? Note the concept yi (righteousness).

Mencius believed all people are intrinsically good and his rival Xunzi (Hsun Tzu) believed all people are intrinsically bad. What metaphors did each use to describe the original nature of humans?

Legalism

What is Legalism? What dynasty of China followed this philosophy to its great but short lived success? How did Legalism survive the fall of this dynasty?

Who is Shang Yang and what is his significance in the development of Legalistic thought in China? What passages from his writings can you cite?

Xunzi's (Hsun tzu) is considered a Confucian but many people class him with the Legalists as well, why is this?

Who were Lisi (Li Si) and Han Feizi (Han Fei Tzu)? What are some of Han Fei's arguments? Do you remember how these two met their ends?

Mozi (Mo Tzu) and Moism

Moism is a strange addition to the body of Chinese beliefs and philosophies; what were the tenets of Mozi's teachings and in what way are they different?

The Qin Dynasty

Out of what culture did the Qin (Ch'in) dynasty develop and what were its main features?

Who was Qin Shi Huangdi (Ch'in Shi Huang ti) and for what is he (actually the edicts are believed to originate with his prime minister) famous for doing?

What archeological find of the 20th century has illuminated our understanding of this rular and dynasty? Describe where the site is and what was found, what remains to be uncovered.