Chinese Digital Arts and Literature: Nezha and Wukong

Catalog description

This advanced Chinese course explores the vibrant world of Chinese literature and mythology through the lens of modern digital arts, focusing on the recently-released animated film Nezha ??2 (2025) and the popular video game Black Myth: Wukong ???: ?? (2024). The course bridges classical texts and contemporary digital arts interpretations, offering a dynamic exploration of legendary figures, such as Sun Wukong ??? (the Monkey King) from the ancient novel Journey to the West ??? and Nezha ??from the mythological epic League of Gods ???. Students must possess advanced or superior level speaking and listening skills in Chinese to enroll Students will engage with primary sources in Chinese, including excerpts from Journey to the West ???and League of Gods ???, while critically analyzing how these stories are reimagined in modern arts and media. The course emphasizes the linguistic, cultural, and philosophical dimensions of Chinese literature and mythology, encouraging students to reflect on how these adaptations address themes of heroism, fate, rebellion, and identity.