Posted inChinese History

The First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895): How Did a Conflict Over Korea Expose China’s Weakness and Japan’s Rising Power? Examine the Causes, Course, And Humiliating Defeat of China in This War, Resulting in Territorial Losses and Further Erosion of Qing Authority, Signaling a Shift in East Asian Power Dynamics.

The First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895): How Did a Conflict Over Korea Expose China's Weakness and Japan's Rising Power? (A Lecture in the Grand Hall of Historical Hindsight) (Professor Archimedes Q.…
Posted inChinese History

The Self-Strengthening Movement (c. 1861-1895): China’s Attempt to Modernize and Resist Western Influence – Examine the Efforts by Qing Officials to Adopt Western Technology and Military Systems While Preserving Chinese Culture, Exploring the Successes, Failures, And Internal Opposition Faced by This Reform Movement.

The Self-Strengthening Movement (c. 1861-1895): China's Attempt to Modernize and Resist Western Influence - A Lecture (Professor smiles warmly, adjusts glasses, and gestures enthusiastically to the projector screen displaying a…
Posted inChinese History

The Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864): How Did a Millenarian Movement Nearly Overthrow the Qing Dynasty? Explore the Origins, Ideology (Blending Christianity and Chinese Beliefs), And The Immense Scale and Brutality of This Civil War That Caused Millions of Deaths and Further Weakened the Qing Regime.

The Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864): How Did a Millenarian Movement Nearly Overthrow the Qing Dynasty? (A Lecture Delivered with Gusto and a Healthy Dose of Dramatic Flair) Alright, gather 'round, history…
Posted inPhilosophy

Philosophy of Art: What Makes Something Art, and Why Does It Matter? Explore the Philosophical Questions About The Definition And Nature Of Art, Its Purpose, Its Relationship To Beauty, Emotion, And Meaning, And How We Experience And Value Artistic Creations Across Different Mediums and Cultures.

Philosophy of Art: What Makes Something Art, and Why Does It Matter? (A Somewhat Humorous Lecture) (Professor Quirko, sporting a brightly patterned bow tie and a perpetually bemused expression, adjusts…
Posted inChinese History

The Opium Wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860): How Did Trade Disputes and British Demand for Opium Lead to Military Conflict and Unequal Treaties? Examine the Causes, Course, And Devastating Consequences of These Wars for China, Leading to Loss of Sovereignty, Opening of Treaty Ports, And Marking the Beginning of a Century of Humiliation.

The Opium Wars: A "High"-ly Unfair Trade (Lecture Hall - Professor adjusts his glasses, a twinkle in his eye. A projection screen displays a slightly cartoonish image of Queen Victoria…
Posted inPhilosophy

Philosophy of History: Does History Have a Direction or Meaning? Explore the Philosophical Questions About The Nature And Purpose Of History, Asking Whether Historical Events Follow A Predictable Pattern, Whether History Has A Meaning Or Goal, And How We Understand And Interpret The Past.

Does History Have a Direction or Meaning? A Philosophical Romp Through Time 🕰️ (Welcome, intrepid time travelers and armchair historians! Grab your thinking caps, because we're about to embark on…
Posted inChinese History

The Qing Dynasty’s Establishment (1644): How Did the Manchu Conquerors From the North Establish and Consolidate Their Rule Over Han Chinese? Explore the Military Strategies, Political Policies (Including the Queue Order), And The Initial Challenges Faced by the Qing in Establishing a Stable and Enduring Empire.

The Qing Dynasty's Establishment (1644): From Barbarian Hordes to Mandarins in Magnificent Robes! (A Lecture on Military Prowess, Political Shenanigans, and Really, Really Bad Haircuts) (Opening Slide: Image of a…
Posted inPhilosophy

Philosophy of Language: How Does Language Work, and What is Meaning? Explore the Branch of Philosophy That Investigates The Nature Of Language, Its Relationship To Thought And Reality, How Meaning Is Created And Communicated, And The Role Of Language In Shaping Our Understanding Of The World.

Philosophy of Language: How Does Language Work, and What is Meaning? (A Philosophical Deep Dive 🤿) Welcome, intrepid explorers of the linguistic landscape! Prepare to have your brains tickled, teased,…
Posted inChinese History

The Ming Dynasty’s Fall (1644): What Internal Rebellions and External Threats Led to the Collapse of the Ming and the Rise of the Qing? Examine the Role of Peasant Uprisings (Like Li Zicheng’s), Manchu Invasion, And Internal Corruption in Bringing an End to This Dynasty and Ushering in a New Era of Rule.

The Ming Dynasty's Fall (1644): A Comedy of Errors Leading to the Qing (Lecture Hall Doors Slam Open with a Dramatic Flourish. Dust motes dance in the single spotlight illuminating…