CEUS U490 0731 Sperling
Sino-Tibetan Relations
This course will survey the interaction between Tibet and China from the earliest period of
contact up through the present day. Students will explore this interaction as it relates to political,
cultural, economic, religious and other links. Among the various areas explored will be the rise of
Tibet as a dynamic empire competing with Tang China, the development of religious links
between Tibetan hierarchs and Chinese rulers, and the ongoing conflict over Tibet's incorporation
into the People's Republic of China.
This course has been approved for credit as a culture option course.
Exams: Midterm and final for undergraduate and graduate students; graduate students will also
be required to write a paper.
Required Readings: Tsepon W. D. Shakabpa, Tibet. A Political History (to be purchased) and
Wang Furen and Suo Wenqing, Highlights of Tibetan History (on library reserve). Graduate
Students will also be assigned additional articles to read from a list to be handed out during the
first class.
Days and Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 12:20-1:10.