Ancient China, Korea, and Japan (ARCH-0028)

Spring 2026 · ARCH 0028 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

Survey of the ancient cultures of China, Korea, and Japan from g . 2,100 BCE to 907 CE. Archaeological analysis of the interrelations between art, architecture, history, and ideology, as preserved in material culture, inscriptions, and literary texts: social rituals, tombs, settlements and cities, exceptional masterpieces and artifacts of daily life. Excursions into sociopolitical organization, religion, diplomacy, philosophy, writing systems, and artistic technique. Evidence of cultural transformations and renegotiations of identity driven by trade, colonization, diplomacy, and territorial expansion leading first to the development of the state in ancient China, and finally to the evolution of a world system that interconnected the kingdoms and peoples of East Asia, as well as the many cultures linked by the Silk Routes: from the Yangshao culture to the Shang state, the first unification of China under the Qin emperor, to the Han and Tang periods, Gojoseon, Goguryeo, then the Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun period Japan. Includes a field trip to the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts.

Course codes: ARCH-0028, ARCH 0028, ARCH0028, ARCH-28, ARCH 28, ARCH28, CLS-0028, CLS 0028, CLS0028, CLS-28, CLS 28, CLS28, ILVS-0028, ILVS 0028, ILVS0028, ILVS-28, ILVS 28, ILVS28

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