1. Explain the logic of co-participation and illustrate it with three examples. (Sources: lectures)
2. Explain why elites are necessary but dangerous and illustrate it with examples from Mencius.
(Sources: lectures, Mengzi, de Barg)
3. Explain the logic of neo-Confucian self-cultivation and their understanding of reality
(Sources: lectures, de Barg, the Great Learning or Zhu-xi, or Wang Yang-Ming)
4. Explain five lasting legacies of Confucianism. (Sources: lectures, Yao)
5. Explain the Confucian understanding of international stability and how it helps us to
understand the Imjin War. (Sources: lecture, Yao)
6. Explain the neo-Confucian approach (methodology) of public service. (Sources: lectures, Yao)
7. Explain Confucian moral theory and practice and illustrate it with six virtues (values),
particularly Ren. (Sources: lectures, Yao)
8. Why do Confucians see ritual as significant? (Sources: lectures, Yao)
9. Is Confucianism “liberal,” “conservative,” or neither? (Sources: lectures, Yao)
10. Does Confucianism have a theory of just war? (Sources: lectures, Bell, Beyond Liberal
Democracy)
11. Explain the Confucian theory and practice of political economy. Does Confucianism
converge, diverge, or both, with respect to contemporary economics? (Sources: lectures, Yao, or
de Barg, see de Barg’s index on neo-Confucianism)
12. Explain Zhu Xi’s concept of the investigation of “things” and its connection to the neo-
Confucian renovation. (Sources: lectures, Yao, de Bary vol. I)
13. Explain the connection of the following passage from the “Commentary on the Great
Learning” to proper order (how does it express proper order?) (Sources: lectures, Yao):
“What the people love, the ruler loves. This says that good government with grace and
kindness affirms the kindness of people, and the ruler implements [good policies] that he
would wish. Thus, he makes public granaries, lowers taxes, helps the needy and lonely,
and rules with reciprocity.”
