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Crosslistings: EAST 243 |
If modernizing China is an ongoing process, two major areas of concern have at once animated and complicated it. These are: 1) modernizing by way of foreign, especially Western, models, and 2) modernizing by means of a rediscovered native tradition. We'll survey Chinese literature and culture (mostly arts and films) to see how Chinese writers, artists and filmmakers grappled with the key issues voiced by such concerns as enlightenment of the individuals, resurgence of national identity, political dissent as aesthetics, revival of traditional and regional cultures as alternative modernities and coercion of the ethnic other(s). We will do close reading of fiction, drama, art images and films and address a) how the artist mediates between the State and the individual; b) why modernity steers an elitist and nationalist course in China; and c) why nativist pursuits end up becoming global assertions.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE Grading Mode: Graded
Prerequisites: NONE
Last Updated on MAR-18-2003
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459