Explores the 5000 years of Chinese history and culture. A chronological passage that discusses the unfolding of China's political and cultural evolution, highlighting important ideas and individuals and the roles they have played in shaping both China's historical past and its dynamic present. Major themes include the evolution of social and political elites, history of political thought from shamanistic roots in prehistory to the present, how the Chinese have thought and written about themselves and the world around them, religious influences, and China's influence on the world around them and the global economy.

12 lectures. Part two of three parts. Contains the lectures 13-24 of 36 lectures on the history of China. Guide includes lecture notes and outlines, timeline, glossary and biographical notes.

Lecture 13.Han Yu and the late Tang -- Lecture 14. Five dynasties and the Song founding -- Lecture 15. Intellectual ferment in the 11th century -- Lecture 16. Art and the way -- Lecture 17. Conquest states in the north -- Lecture 18. Economy and society in southern Song -- Lecture 19. Zhu Xi and neo-Confucianism -- Lecture 20. The rise of the Mongols -- Lecture 21. The Yuan dynasty -- Lecture 22. The rise of the Ming -- Lecture 23. The Ming golden age -- Lecture 24. Gridlock and crisis.