Spring 2001

Prof. Burton Levin

 The British thought they had acquired a "barren rock," but by the time they returned Hong Kong to the Chinese some one hundred and fifty years later, the territory had become a prosperous global economic powerhouse with significant influence on China's economic and social development. We shall examine the factors accounting for the transformation of this speck of land with a population at its height of six million into a global trading and financial center. We shall also seek to determine the impact of Hong Kong's reversion to China on the territory's economic, political and social structure and conversely on the role that Hong Kong may play in China's future. In doing so, we shall look at America's role in the life of Hong Kong.

The reading requirements are substantial, but your burden will be eased by the straightforward and lively nature of the selections.

This is a seminar and you are expected to participate actively in the proceedings. Class participation will account for 25% of your grade.

You will be required to write weekly mini-papers (2-3 pages) on a topic provided at Thursday meetings and due the following Tuesday. These papers-five in all-should reflect your own analytical thoughts on the topic under discussion: descriptive regurgitation of the readings or classroom discussions will not find favor. Each paper will account for 15% of your grade.

Required Text

Jan Morris, Hong Kong: Epilogue to an Empire

Class Schedule

May 1 Introduction of Course, Overview

Fenby, Dealing with the Dragon, pp. 1-29

May 3 The Opium War and Britain's Acquisition of Hong Kong

Morris, Hong Kong, pp. 15-32

Crisswell, The Taipans, pp. 24-67, 71-8

Waley, The Opium War Through Chinese Eyes, pp. 23-49

May 8 A British Colony

Morris, Hong Kong, pp. 74-92; 131-146

May 10 The Colonial Era

Morris, Hong Kong, pp. 168-79; 183-98

Welsh, A History of Hong Kong, pp. 252-79, 313-34; 374-93

May 15 WWII and the Turbulent Post-War Decade

Morris, Hong Kong, pp. 239-262

May 17 Changing Hong Kong

Morris, Hong Kong, pp. 166-82

Welsh, History of Hong Kong, pp. 459-473

Blyth & Wotherspoon, Hong Kong Remembers, pp. 47-54; 92-101; 102-112; 120-33; 148-157

King and Lee, Social Life and Development in Hong Kong, pp. 195-216

May 22 China Reforms, Hong Kong Prospers

Morris, Hong Kong, pp. 199-238

Welsh, History of Hong Kong, pp. 474-501

Yahuda, Hong Kong: China's Challenge, pp. 21-42

Sung, Hong Kong and South China, pp. 2-7, 49-58

May 27 Reversion Looms

Morris, Hong Kong, pp. 285-303

Cradock, Experiences of China, pp. 164-246

May 29 The Birth and Early Years of the Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region

Cradock, Experiences of China, pp. 271-285

So, Hong Kong's Embattled Democracy, pp. 217-26, 237-47, 253-62, 272-4