Chinese literature and modernity
Gloria Davies
8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
Objectives Upon completion of this subject students should have developed critical perspectives on the differences between Chinese and Western understandings of modernity; explored questions of nationalism and ethnicity in relation to `third world' literatures and post-colonialism; developed interpretive skills appropriate for reading Chinese literature as well as an ability to question their own cultural and political assumptions as readers.
Synopsis This subject introduces students to twentieth-century Chinese literature and its social, political and intellectual contexts. It focuses on the issue of modernity by examining Chinese and Western cultural expectations and aesthetic values for the ways in which they condition our understanding of the `ethnic' experience. A range of literary texts in translation, mainly prose fiction dating from the 1910s to the present time, will be discussed. The approach taken is one informed by theoretical writings on third world literatures, Orientalism and postcoloniality.
Assessment second year Two tutorial papers (1500 words each): 50%
*
Essay (3000 words): 50%
* Second-year students are expected to demonstrate
familiarity with the set readings and with the general concerns of the
course.
Assessment third year Two tutorial papers (1500 words each): 50%
*
Essay (3000 words): 50%
* Third-year students are expected to demonstrate
familiarity with theoretical and cultural writings on post-colonial and
third-world literatures and to reflect critically on questions of linguistic
and cultural translation.
Prescribed texts
Ba Jin Family Anchor Books, 1972
Barme G and Jaivin L (eds) New ghosts, old dreams: Chinese rebel voices Times Books, 1992
Hung E (ed.) Contemporary women writers in Hong Kong and Taiwan Renditions, 1990
Jenner W J F (ed.)Modern Chinese stories OUP, 1970
Li Ang The butcher's wife Point Press, 1986
Lu Xun Selected stories Foreign Languages Press, 1964
Recommended texts
Bhabha H (ed.)Nation and narration Routledge, 1991
Chow R Woman and Chinese modernity: The politics of reading between East and West U Minnesota P, 1990
Lau J Hsia C T and Lee L O (eds) Modern Chinese stories and novellas 1919-1949 Columbia U P, 1985
Lee M and Syrokomla-Stefanowska A D (eds) Modernization of the Chinese past Wild Peony Press, 1993
Spence J The gate of heavenly peace: The Chinese and their revolution, 1895-1980 Penguin, 1982
Spivak G The post-colonial critic: Interviews, strategies, dialogues (edited by Sarah Harasym) Routledge, 1990
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