ART AND THE STATE: CHINA
OBJECTIVES:
1. Be able to describe the tomb and other building projects of Shi Huang Ti.
2. Be able to explain how the building projects of Shi Huang Ti illustrate and support the philosophy of legalism.
3. Be able to explain the main tenets of legalism and how is conflicts with and departed from Confucianism.
4. Be able to describe the main architectural features of the Forbidden City.
5. Be able to explain the use of color and other symbolism in the Forbidden City, and how this symbolism and color scheme supported the position of the emperor in Chinese society. 6. Be able to describe the various structures in the Temple of Heaven compound, and the numerology and other symbolism found in them.
OUTLINE
I. The Ch'in Empire: the first Chinese empire
A. Shi Huang Ti, China's first emperor
i. the reunification of China meaning of his name
ii. the legalist philosophy
iii. anti-Confucianism book burnings
iv. the control of the nobility: abolition of the law of primogeniture
v. uniform standards for weights and measures and for chariot tracks coinage
vi. the Great wall of China and the barbarians
vii. the tomb of Shi Huang Ti
viii. the collapse of the Ch'in empire
II. The Temple of Heaven
A. Its purpose
B. Various architectural parts
C. Wooden construction
D. Significance of numbers
III. The Forbidden City
A. Location
B. When Built
C. Overall Structure
D. Fengshui principles
E. Color Scheme
F. Dragons, Phoenixes, and other symbols
G. Roof Decorations
H. Punishments for unlawful entry
FILM GUIDE: HEART OF THE DRAGON
1. Who was the first Chinese emperor? What dynasty did he found?
2. Describe his tomb and his building projects.
3. What kind of ruler was he? (Give at least two examples supporting your answer to this question.)
4. Describe the basic principles of Confucius. How did Confucius's political philosophy differ from that of the first Chinese emperor?
5. Describe the Forbidden City -- in detail!!!!
6. What colors are most prominent in the Forbidden City and what do they symbolize?
7. In what ways does the architecture and artistic design of the Forbidden City set the emperor off from the rest of society?
8. What was the punishment for unlawful entry into the Forbidden City?