《萬曆十五年》英文版書名為〈1587，A Year of No Significance〉(無關緊要的1587年)，即然無關緊要，又為何要寫這麼一本書呢？1587年，在西歐歷史上為西班牙無敵艦隊全部出動征討英國的前一年；而在中國，這平平談談的一年裏也發生了若干事件，這些事件看似枝微末節，易於被歷史學家所忽略，其實卻在整個明朝歷史，甚至整個中國歷史上，產生了相當深遠的影響。微妙平談的「因」，開啟了日後地覆天翻、徹底創造歷史的「果」，這正是作者所謂「大歷史」的精髓。本課程不斤斤計較書中人物短時平面的賢愚得失，其重點在將這些事蹟與我們今加的處境互相印證。此外，也將從社會學的視界，從《萬曆十五年》一書中看到中國傳統的社會、政治、經濟、思想等等的結構與節奏及其有它自牢不可拔的特點。

The English version of "The Fifteenth Year of Wanli" is titled "1587, A Year of No Significance" (Insignificant 1587). Since it is insignificant, why write such a book? 1587 was the year before the Spanish Armada was dispatched to conquer Britain in Western European history; and in China, this ordinary year also saw a number of events. These events may seem trivial and easily overlooked by historians, but in fact they had a profound impact on the entire history of the Ming Dynasty, and even the entire history of China. The "cause" of subtle and ordinary talk started the "effect" that would turn the world upside down and completely create history. This is the essence of what the author calls "big history." This course does not focus on the short-term gains and losses of the characters in the book. The focus is on corroborating these deeds with our current situation. In addition, from the perspective of sociology, we will also see the structure and rhythm of traditional Chinese society, politics, economy, thought, etc. and its inextricable characteristics from the book "The Fifteenth Year of Wanli".

一、指定用書
黃仁宇，1994，《萬曆十五年》。新北市：台灣食貨出版社。.

二、參照書目
1.費孝通，2017，《鄉土中國》。香港：中和出版有限公司。
2.陳介玄、翟本瑞、張維安合著，1990，《韋伯論西方社會的合理化》。台北市、巨流圖書公司。
3.高承恕，1992，《理性化與資本主義-韋伯與韋伯之外》。台北市：聯經出版事業有限公司。
4.Weber, Max著、于曉、陳維綱譯，1991，《新教倫理與資本主義精神》。台北市：唐山出版社。
5.澀澤榮一著、蔡哲茂、吳璧雍譯，2010，《倫語與算盤》。台北市：允晨文化。
6.Polanyi, Karl著、黃樹尼譯，1989，《鉅變：當代政治、經濟的起源》。台北市：遠流。

1. Designated books
Huang Renyu, 1994, "Fifteen Years of Wanli". New Taipei City: Taiwan Food Publishing House. .

2. Bibliography
1. Fei Xiaotong, 2017, "Country China". Hong Kong: Chung Wo Publishing Limited.
2. Chen Jiexuan, Zhai Benrui, and Zhang Wei'an co-authored, 1990, "Weber on the Rationalization of Western Society". Taipei City, Juliu Books.
3. Gao Chengshu, 1992, "Rationalization and Capitalism - Weber and Beyond Weber". Taipei City: Lianjing Publishing Co., Ltd.
4. Weber, Max, translated by Yu Xiao and Chen Weigang, 1991, "Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism". Taipei City: Tangshan Publishing House.
5. Written by Eiichi Shibusawa, translated by Cai Zhemao and Wu Biyong, 2010, "Run Yu and Abacus". Taipei City: Yunchen Culture.
6. Polanyi, Karl, translated by Huang Shuni, 1989, "Great Change: The Origins of Contemporary Politics and Economy". Taipei City: Yuanliu.