Lecture 1. Introduction (overview of the course, its aims and sources; discussion of methods in working with pictorial materials for the study of history, society, and art). Andrews and Shen 2012; Burke 2001; Panofsky 1955
Lecture 2. 1900s: based on anonymous cartoon “Pulling out the wings” to discuss the last years of Qing Empire, domestic and international anxieties, and the humorous response to deteriorating situation. Brokaw and Reed 2010
Lecture 3. 1910s: based on anonymous film poster to follow political turmoil after the Xinhai Revolution, China’s involvement in World War I, Paris peace talks, Japan’s acquisitions in China, and May Fourth movement. Fairbank and Goldman 2006
Lecture 4. 1920s: based on a fashion poster by Jin Meisheng to trace the emergence of Communist and Nationalist parties, their cooperation and split, Northern Expedition, as well as foreign influences in politics and culture. Crespi 2020
Lecture 5. 1930s: based on cartoon “Yanzi?” by Lu Shaofei to discuss Nanjing government’s policies, New Life movement, Sino-Japanese relations, and position of communism in different regions of the country. Bevan 2016
Lecture 6. 1940s: based on cartoon “Bombing No. 4” by Feng Zikai to consider some aspects of the Second Sino-Japanese war, tensions between Nationalist and Communist parties, attempted negotiations and political reforms, and the ensuing Civil war. Hung 1994
Lecture 7. 1950s: based on Dong Xiwen’s famous “Inaugural Ceremony for the New Nation” to follow the foundation of the PRC and political transformations after it, mass campaigns, socialist and revolutionary realism, and radicalisation in various spheres of life. Ho 2020; Hung 2011
Lecture 8. 1960s: based on anonymous poster “The 3 July and 24 July proclamations are Chairman Mao’s great strategic plans!” to ponder the stabilisation after the Great Leap Forward, unfolding of the Cultural Revolution, Down the countryside movement, and Sino-Soviet split. Min, Duo, and Landsberger 2015
Lecture 9. 1970s: based on Huang Yongyu’s painting “Winking owl” to look into the last years of Mao Zedong’s rule, the establishment of Sino-American relations, such art trends as “hotel faction”, and the fate of “the Gang of Four”. Laing 1988
Lecture 10. 1980s: based on painting “Father” by Luo Zhongli to follow Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, attempts at liberation in cultural and social sphere, clash of ‘pragmatic’ and conservative wings of party and society, Tian’anmen protests and their suppression. Andrews and Shen 2012
Lecture 11. 1990s: based on Wang Guangyi’s artwork “Great criticism” to consider the freezing of reforms, Deng Xiaoping’s Southern trip, market economy, consumerism and seeming loss of ideology, as well as transformations in foreign and domestic policies. Sorace, Franceschini, and Loubere 2019
Lecture 12. Final discussion based on caricature “Mao-Xi” by Badiucao, concluding remarks on the situation in China in the beginning of the 21st century; overview of ruptures and continuities since the 1900s. Lent and Xu 2017