Nation, Class, and the Body in 20th-Century Chinese Literature and Film
ALIT 257
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
EAST 257 |
This course will explore the concepts of nation, class, and the body through the examination of literary works and films from the early 20th century to contemporary China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The critical questions addressed in the course include how 20th-century Chinese literature and film represent the nation, national identity, national trauma, and the national past; how class struggle is represented in or has influenced literature and history; and how bodies are defined, exposed, commodified, desired, or repressed in modern and postmodern contexts. Through critical essays that are assigned in conjunction with the primary sources, students will be introduced to the key concepts concerning aesthetics and politics and to the ways in which nationality, gender, and other affiliations have been constructed in the Chinese cultural imaginary. While primary attention will be paid to the modern and contemporary literary canons, discussions of the films from different historical eras will also be included. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Intercultural Literacy, Interpretation
Students will expand their understanding of Chinese culture and acquire intercultural competence and learn how to think critically about gender, nationalism, history, culture and subjectivity.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA AL&L |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (FILM-MN) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Primary texts by such writers as Lu Xun, Shen Congwen, Mao Dun, Bai Xianyong, Su Tong, Yu Hua, Zhu Tianwen and others.
Films: The White-haired Girl (1972), Farewell my Concubine (1993), Raise the Red Lantern (1991), In the Mood for Love (2000), two martial-arts films and others.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Short response papers, one midterm paper, one take-home exam, and one final paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
All literary works are read in English translations. All films have English subtitles. No prerequisite knowledge of Chinese language and culture is required. Film viewing session will be scheduled in the evening (TBA). |
| Instructor(s): Wu,Shengqing Times: .M.W... 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: FISK314; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 20 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 3 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 4 | SO: 2 | FR: 2 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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