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Academic Year 2004/2005

Modern Chinese Cities in Literature and Film: Beijing and Beyond
ALIT 245 SP
Crosslistings:
EAST 243

How do urban literature and film, or narrative structures and cinematic images configure our material existences, cultural identities and literary imaginations? The course is intended to discuss man, machine and metropolis; sensibility of ancient capital or westernized cities; mutual imaginations among Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hong Kong and Taipei; nostalgia, nightmare, and ghost among cities, poetics and politics of daily objects, the use and abuse of everyday life.

MAJOR READINGS

Writings by Lao She, Zhang Henshui, Zhang Ailing, Lin Yutang, Mao Dun, Ye Zhaoyan, Bai Xianyong, Lin Hai-yin, Wang Anyi, Zhu Tianwen, Wang Shuo, etc.; and films directed by Yuan Muzhi, Ling Zifeng, Wu Yigong, Wong Kai-Wai, Fruit Chen, Zhang Yang, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Tsai Ming-liang, Wang Xiao Shuai, and Zhang Yang, etc.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

One short mid-term paper (5-6 pages) and one long paper (final, 10-15 pages); weekly email postings.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Regular attendance and active participation in class discussion. One paragraph email posting 6 hours prior to each session.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA AL&L    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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