Skip to main content

HarvardX: China’s Political and Intellectual Foundations: From Sage Kings to Confucius

Learn about China’s origins, its integral early thinkers, and competing states and schools of thought.

15 weeks
1–3 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
Optional upgrade available

Choose your session:

56,114 already enrolled! After a course session ends, it will be archivedOpens in a new tab.
Starts Mar 19
Ends May 29
Starts May 29

About this course

Skip About this course

This course, the first in a comprehensive series on China, introduces you to the history, geography, and culture of the country.

Time, space, and identity — enduring issues in Chinese history — are explored. You’ll study China’s early dynasties to understand how physical geography impacted its inhabitants and how the many ethnicities within the country affected Chinese identity. You’ll learn about China’s origins as told in ancient texts and through modern archeology. You’ll explore the first dynasties during the Chinese bronze age, the many facets of Confucianism and his Analects, and the competing schools of thought that followed.

New political and moral ideas appear in Chinese culture in this period — ideas that make up the country’s intellectual foundations and still resonate today. Join us to learn about China’s origins and how early concepts in Chinese culture still matter in the 21st century.

At a glance

  • Institution: HarvardX
  • Subject: History
  • Level: Introductory
  • Prerequisites:

    None

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • China’s history from political, geographic, and cultural perspectives.
  • The beginning of Chinese history in archaeology and mythology.
  • The blossoming of Chinese thought, from Confucius to the Legalists.
  • Historical methods for explaining how complex civilizations are formed.
  • How to analyze texts and artifacts.
  • Methods for the analysis of philosophical and political arguments.
  • A critical appreciation of China’s literary, philosophical, political, and cultural resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Skip Frequently Asked Questions

How is the honor code upheld?
HarvardX requires individuals who enroll in its courses on edX to abide by the terms of the edX honor code. HarvardX will take appropriate corrective action in response to violations of the edX honor code, which may include dismissal from the HarvardX course; revocation of any certificates received for the HarvardX course; or other remedies as circumstances warrant. No refunds will be issued in the case of corrective action for such violations. Enrollees who are taking HarvardX courses as part of another program will also be governed by the academic policies of those programs.

How does my participation contribute to research?
By registering as an online learner in our open online courses, you are also participating in research intended to enhance HarvardX's instructional offerings as well as the quality of learning and related sciences worldwide. In the interest of research, you may be exposed to some variations in the course materials. HarvardX does not use learner data for any purpose beyond the University's stated missions of education and research. For purposes of research, we may share information we collect from online learning activities, including Personally Identifiable Information, with researchers beyond Harvard. However, your Personally Identifiable Information will only be shared as permitted by applicable law, will be limited to what is necessary to perform the research, and will be subject to an agreement to protect the data. We may also share with the public or third parties aggregated information that does not personally identify you. Similarly, any research findings will be reported at the aggregate level and will not expose your personal identity. Please read the edX Privacy Policy for more information regarding the processing, transmission, and use of data collected through the edX platform.

How are non-discrimination and anti-harassment supported?
Harvard University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination or harassment in our program. All members of the HarvardX community are expected to abide by Harvard policies on nondiscrimination, including sexual harassment, and the edX Terms of Service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact harvardx@harvard.edu and/or report your experience through the edX contact form.

This course is part of History of China: Bronze Age to the Last Dynasties XSeries Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
5 high-quality courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
1 year 7 months
1 - 3 hours per week

Interested in this course for your business or team?

Train your employees in the most in-demand topics, with edX For Business.