Introduction to Chinese Literature and Culture

Catalog description

This course provides an introduction to Chinese cultural production from ancient times to the postmodern era, with an emphasis on literature. In its more recent segments, the course will include film as well as considerations of Chinese cultures in the Chinese diaspora (such as the United States) and throughout the Chinese-speaking world. Students will learn about major eras of Chinese literature and the diversity of Chinese cultures in such locations as mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the worldwide Chinese diaspora. Readings will represent several genres, such as poetry, folktale, short story, novel, prose fiction, drama, and historical annals. Through this course students can develop a historical and cultural perspective in order to understand the contexts and value systems that have inspired literary works. Students will investigate such topics as the relation between social institutions and the individual, the traditional patriarchal system, the changing roles of women, westernization, and post modern consumer culture, among others. Students will read literature and related materials from different periods, with examples from other media such as films where appropriate. Class work may include lectures or presentations by the instructor and student participation through means such as guided discussions, group discussions, and students' presentations. This participatory approach is intended to deepen students' appreciation of the texts, to help them understand value systems that may differ from, or else be shared with, those predominant in modern Western cultures, and to assist students in developing analytical and expressive abilities. CHNS 120 is designed to be suitable for all students generally interested in China and the Chinese-speaking world, or interested in literature and other fields of humanistic study, whether or not they have previously studied Chinese culture. All materials will be available in English. Taught in English.