An overview of the transformation of China's economy from the Han dynasty to the 20th century and its relationship with the rest of the world. The course emphasizes an analysis of the historical development of the Chinese economy in the context of global socioeconomic changes. Ming/Qing China is compared with early modern Europe to study why China fell behind, any why the Industrial Revolution did not happen in China. Implications of historical experience for the modern era and the future are explored. (Not for students who have taken UGC246Q.)