Chinese culture has a rich history going back thousands of years. This lecture series examines one of the enduring and most resilient hallmarks of Chinese culture—its architecture—before seeing how the modern era was represented in silent films of the early 20th century. Moving into the second half of the 20th century, the series delves into the sweeping cultural changes enacted under the new political ideology of communism.

Justin M. Jacobs, a professor of Chinese history at American University, is the author of several books, including The Compensations of Plunder: How China Lost Its Treasures.

Session Information

Chinese Architecture

Jacobs explores the astonishingly resilient forms of Chinese architecture over the past 3,000 years. He examines the components of a traditional Chinese building, including building materials, interior and exterior decoration, and modular structure. Attention is paid to how Chinese architecture has adapted to the importation of new designs from abroad, such as Buddhist pagodas, Islamic mosques, and even Baroque buildings.

Additional Sessions of Three Pillars of Chinese Culture Series

• November 28 Chinese Silent Films
• December 19: Cultural Reform under Mao

General Information

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