150135 VU History of East Asia (2026S)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
REMOTE
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Mo 09.02.2026 10:00 to We 25.02.2026 10:00
- Deregistration possible until Tu 31.03.2026 23:59
Details
max. 150 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
- Monday 02.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 09.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- N Monday 16.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 23.03. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 13.04. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 20.04. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 27.04. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 04.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 11.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 18.05. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 01.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 08.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 15.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 22.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
- Monday 29.06. 11:00 - 12:30 Digital
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
Workload
This is a text-based course. Accordingly, students are expected to read the assigned book chapters in preparation for each unit. All readings are taken from the same book, which is available online in the university library. The readings are intended to prepare students for active listening and informed discussion. In the recorded lectures, the instructor outlines the main arguments of the assigned texts and provides additional contextual information. Students should expect to read approximately 40 pages per week on average.
Occasionally, real-time online sessions will be held to answer questions and discuss course-related topics. Please consult the detailed class schedule (separate document) for dates and times.
This is a text-based course. Accordingly, students are expected to read the assigned book chapters in preparation for each unit. All readings are taken from the same book, which is available online in the university library. The readings are intended to prepare students for active listening and informed discussion. In the recorded lectures, the instructor outlines the main arguments of the assigned texts and provides additional contextual information. Students should expect to read approximately 40 pages per week on average.
Occasionally, real-time online sessions will be held to answer questions and discuss course-related topics. Please consult the detailed class schedule (separate document) for dates and times.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
Assessment
Students are required to complete two multiple-choice tests (for dates, see the class schedule). Both tests will be conducted online in real time; a stable internet connection is therefore essential. Further details will be provided via Moodle.
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
• Mid-term test: 50%
• Final test: 50%
Rounding is always applied in the students’ favor (e.g., grades 1 and 2 result in a final grade of 1; grades 4 and 5 result in a final grade of 4).
Please note that this is not a lecture course (“Vorlesung”). Consequently, tests will not be repeated and cannot be substituted by other forms of assessment. Students must ensure that they are able to participate as scheduled. Students who already know that this will not be possible should not register for this course. If a test is missed for any reason, the grade “5” will be assigned for that test. Nevertheless, it is still possible to pass the course if the other test is graded positively. Students are advised to take this into account when enrolling.
Students are required to complete two multiple-choice tests (for dates, see the class schedule). Both tests will be conducted online in real time; a stable internet connection is therefore essential. Further details will be provided via Moodle.
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
• Mid-term test: 50%
• Final test: 50%
Rounding is always applied in the students’ favor (e.g., grades 1 and 2 result in a final grade of 1; grades 4 and 5 result in a final grade of 4).
Please note that this is not a lecture course (“Vorlesung”). Consequently, tests will not be repeated and cannot be substituted by other forms of assessment. Students must ensure that they are able to participate as scheduled. Students who already know that this will not be possible should not register for this course. If a test is missed for any reason, the grade “5” will be assigned for that test. Nevertheless, it is still possible to pass the course if the other test is graded positively. Students are advised to take this into account when enrolling.
Examination topics
All tests will be based on the lectures and the required chapters in the Holcombe book. The book is available to registered UniVie students as an electronic version via u:search.
De-registration from the course is possible only until the deadline set by the University of Vienna’s central teaching administration. If you withdraw from the course after this deadline, you will nevertheless receive a grade.
De-registration from the course is possible only until the deadline set by the University of Vienna’s central teaching administration. If you withdraw from the course after this deadline, you will nevertheless receive a grade.
Reading list
Holcombe, Charles (2017): A History of East Asia. From the Origins of Civilization to the Twenty-First Century. Cambridge University Press: New York.
Association in the course directory
WM4a, MA JAP WM6, MA KOR 2008 M2, MA KOR 2024 M7
Last modified: Sa 31.01.2026 16:26
This course combines recorded lectures with real-time discussion sessions and online tests. Students are therefore required to have appropriate hardware and software, as well as a stable internet connection. Regular participation in the live online discussion sessions and in the tests is mandatory. Students who cannot reliably ensure this level of participation should not register for this course.Goals, contents, methods
The goal of this course is to provide a concise, comparative overview of the history of East Asia—primarily China, Japan, and Korea—from its beginnings to the present. Particular emphasis is placed on the period from the nineteenth century onward. Students will gain an understanding of the major historical trajectories of East Asia, the foundations of the region’s culture and society, and the forms of interaction and interdependence that have developed over time and continue to shape contemporary economic, political, and social developments. The course offers a broad overview, highlights the “big picture,” emphasizes connections between the histories of the East Asian countries concerned, and provides guidance for further reading to deepen students’ knowledge.