Seminar in Modern Chinese Literature

Catalog description

Modern Chinese writers are known for their efforts in creating a literaryrevolution that sought to reformulate the paradigm of Chinese writing.However, these Chinese writers also endeavored to learn from other culturessuch as the European and Indian civilizations. For example, Tagore wasinvited to visit to China in 1923 and was considered a cultural model by manyChinese cultural elites. Hu Shi, a leading Chinese intellectual, wrote TheIndianization of China: A Case Study in Cultural Borrowing and India Our GreatTeacher, to emphasize the Indian elements in Chinese culture. Other Chinesewriters also sought to compare the European with Chinese cultures in differentoccasions in order to find a path for the rise of modern China. This courseexplores the ways in which foreign cultures were introduced and how theyinfluence the way Chinese see themselve s in their search for a culturalidentity free from the constraints of classical tradition. We will read avariety of writers from the Peoples Republic of Ch ina, Hong Kong, Taiwan, andMalaysia, in order to examine how modern Chinese literature thrives oncross-cultural elements. All readings will be in English. No prior knowledgeis required. Those who are proficient in Chinese are invited to read some ofthe texts in Chinese.