LFU:online

The history of the term “civilization” (Chinese, Japanese 文明) in East Asian languages and cultures is relatively short and closely linked to the reception and translation history of modern Western languages. This does not mean that there were no ideas about “civilization” before, nor does it mean that today’s civilizational discourses are to be understood exclusively in the light of Western enlightenment and technological history. The aim of this exercise is to measure the spectrum/field of meaning “civilization”/文明. To this end, modern and contemporary debates on civilization as well as the forms and symbolic systems in which civilized life found expression in pre-modern East Asia are analyzed.

- The “fate of the gods” (Old Norse: ragnarök) and the discovery of ancient Chinese wisdom by European enlightenment philosophers of the 18th century.

-     “Culture” (文化) and “civilization” (文明) in Tang to Song China (7th-13th centuries) - The “Meiji Restoration” (明治維新) in 19th century Japan.

-     The Chinese “New Culture Movement” (文化運動) in the 20th century.

-     Consequences of a “Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution” (無產階級文化大革命) for East Asia in the 21st century.

-     Civilization of the South: Chiang Hsün's Renaissance of the Gods in Modern Taiwan.

After an introduction to the essential content and cultural-historical context of the exercise, a collection of text materials in English and German are presented, which provide at least one source reference for each of the content aspects mentioned (and possibly also for additional suggestions). Then, at the beginning of the semester, groups of speakers are formed to prepare and give keynote speeches throughout the semester and to lead the subsequent discussions. Additions to the basic content and topics over the course of the semester are desired; initiatives on these will be included in the evaluation of performance accordingly.

Assessment of personal participation by giving compulsory presentations, oral participation in discussions and personal initiative.

Buckley-Ebrey, Patricia. Chinese Civilization. A Sourcebook. The Free Press 1993. 

Goepper, Roger. Das alte China : Menschen und Götter im Reich der Mitte, 5000 v. Chr. - 220 n. Chr. ; Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung München, 2. Dezember 1995 - 3. März 1996. 

Kraushaar, Frank. Fighting Swaying Balances of Powers: The Transformation of Spritual Freedom in Tang Tales into Individual Freedom in Hou Hsiao-hsien’s The Assassin. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Philolgoca 4. 2018 

Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm. Der Briefwechsel mit den Jesuiten in China (1689-1714). Meiner 2006 

Vogelsang, Kai. Geschichte Chinas. Reclam 2012. 

ders.. China und Japan. Zwei Reiche unter einem Himmel. Kröner 2021.