- The Imperial Examination in Ancient China
  - Function and Forms of the System
    - What was its function?
    - What were its forms?
  - Structure of the Lecture
    - General history of the system
    - Three stages of the exam system
    - Abolition of the system
    - Influence of the system
  - Overview of the Imperial Examination
    - Two parts: civil exam and military exam
      - Civil exam more significant
    - Timeline of development
      - Began in Sui dynasty
      - Improved in Tang dynasty
      - Developed in Song dynasty
      - Prospered in Ming dynasty
      - Abolished at the end of Qing dynasty
    - Lasted over 1,300 years
  - Three Stages of the Exam System
    - Learning (preparatory period)
      - Studied Confucian classics
      - Four Books, Five Classics
    - Examination
      - Provincial exam (乡试)
        - Held every three years in autumn
      - Metropolitan exam (会试)
        - Held in spring by Board of Rites
      - Palace exam (殿试)
        - Supervised by the emperor
        - Top ranks: 状元, 榜眼, 探花
    - Administration
      - Successful scholars granted official posts
      - Final challenge: test from Board of Civil Office
  - Key Features of Examinations
    - Eight-part essay (八股文)
      - Strict format with eight paragraphs
      - Fixed style and character count
    - Examples of Success and Failure
      - Liu Congyuan: direct appointment
      - Han Yu: assistant position
  - Decline and Abolition
    - Corruption: positions purchasable
    - Irrelevance after Opium War (1840)
    - Abolished in 1905
  - Impact and Legacy
    - Harmful effects
      - Stifled creativity and imagination
    - Positive influence
      - Profound impact on society and culture
      - Modern civil service exams evolved from it
    - Global influence
      - Adopted in Japan, Korea, Vietnam
      - Inspired Western education systems
      - Praised by Dick Burdey and Sun Yat-sen