Topic #3: Reconstructing Neo-Confucianism

For this topic, you should articulate the Neo-Confucian views of human nature, and explain how Zhu Xi (1130-1200) developed his social and political programs in Neo-Confucian perspective.

Required readings:

–Chapters 20 and 21 in Sources of Chinese tradition

-Peter K. Bol, Neo-Confucianism in History, chapters 5 and 6.

II. Title: Like in the first essay, it is required that you come up with a title that encapsulates your own thesis.

This time you should give a running header (condensed title) and a full title. The title is especially important as it defines the direction of your research.

<Example I: Title>: “Taxing Less for the Public Good: Implications of Lu Zhi’s Critique of Yang Yan’s Twice-a-Year Taxation in Late Tang (618-907)”

As you can see, the running header, “Taxing Less for the Public Good,” is the key idea of this essay, and the sub-title will define your approach to this issue. This title suggests that the author writes on the general issue of taxation by using the tax debate in late Tang. As to the sub-title, you must be as specific as possible, articulating both the case of your choice and its historical context.

III. Thesis:

At the beginning of your essay, you should articulate your own thesis succinctly in one paragraph: what you intend to say and achieve in the essay.