Survey of Chinese literature and film in English translation since the beginning of the 20th century. Contending strands such as revolutionary, romantic, modernist, nativist, popular and women’s writing are represented by their most distinctive achievements. Major themes include tensions between Chinese and Western culture, tradition and modernity, masculinity and femininity, elite and popular, individual and national identities and class consciousness.

Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature

CHTR 3020/5020, Spring 2017

Ruffner Hall 175, TTh 9:30-10:45            

Instructor:

Charles A. Laughlin

New Cabell Hall 155

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00am-12:00pm or by appointment

charleslaughlin@virginia.edu

The following books have been ordered through the UVa Bookstore, but may not have arrived yet. Items marked with an asterisk* have electronic versions that can be read online through their Virgo library catalog listing (links provided on the Activities grid):

• Hanan, Patrick - Sea of Regret 《恨海》*
• Lu Xun, The Real Story of Ah Q and Other Tales of China 鲁迅《呐喊》、《彷徨》、《故事新编》*
• Lao She, Cat Country (Kindle version also available)
• Yu Hua 余华, To Live 《活着》
• Laughlin, Stalling and Liu, eds. By the River: Seven Contemporary Chinese Novellas (Kindle version also available)
• Liu, Ken, ed. and trans., Invisible Planets: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation (Kindle version also available)

Additional required readings are available in electronic form in the Resources area; see the Activities pages for links to them.

Requirements:

• Attendance and participation: 25%
• Writing 55%
  • 2 page paper: 5%
  • 6 page paper: 15%
  • Term paper (12 pages): 35%
• Weekly quizzes: 20%
• Students registered for 5020 should write a 20-page research paper, using Chinese language materials. Consult with Charles Laughlin for details.

The following films will be made available on the Collab site (link from Activity page or in the Kaltura Media Gallery) in conjunction with related reading material:

• Street Angel 马路天使 dir. Yuan Muzhi, 1937
• Spring Silkworms 春蚕 dir. Cheng Bugao, 1936
• Hibiscus Town 芙蓉镇 dir. Xie Jin, 1986
• To Live 活着 dir. Zhang Yimou, 1990
• The World 世界 dir. Jia Zhangke, 2004

Goals

• Recognize the issues raised by culture, modernity, and artistic expression in China
• Confidently and competently describe, analyze, and interpret works of Chinese literature in translation and Chinese film
• Be able to do informed research on Chinese topics
• Recognize and analyze artistic features of literary works and film 
• Recognize cultural and historical differences that must be negotiated to understand Chinese creative expression 
• Think and write critically about literature and film

Evaluation

Three papers 2, 6, and 12 pages in length, respectively. Grades will be based 55% on written assignments (5%, 15% and 35%, respectively), 25% for attendance and participation, which includes participation in discussion, and 20% for forum writing. See Policies for attendance policy. There will be no midterm or final examinations.

East Asian Studies or Chinese majors taking this to fulfill the capstone requirement must fulfill all these requirements, but the final paper should be 20 pages in length, and students must consult original Chinese-language primary and optionally secondary sources. You must also be enrolled in the Chinese Capstone Seminar, CHTR 4991 (1 cr)

Research Tools

• Dictionary of Literary Biography: Chinese Fiction Writers, 1900-1949 (link only works when you are logged into NetBadge)
• Dictionary of Literary Biography: Chinese Fiction Writers, 1950-2000 (link only works when you are logged into NetBadge)
• Columbia Companion to Modern Chinese Literature (sorry, no e-book!)
• Cambridge Handbook to Modern Chinese Culture (link only works when you are logged into NetBadge)
• Understanding Contemporary China (UVA has only the first edition from 1999; the book is going into its 5th edition this year with substantial updates; if you need a quality, up-to-date, interdisciplinary overview of China, I recommend you purchase a copy when it comes out!)
• The Modern Chinese Literature and Culture Resource Center
• Modern Chinese Literature Timeline

Tools for Reading and Writing

• Grading Rubric for Papers about Literature
• Style sheet for papers about Chinese literature
• Advice on writing papers about literature and film
• Research Guide for your papers

Schedule 

For week to week assignments, activities, and extracurricular events of interest, see the Collab site, and pay close attention to your email!

Dates and Deadlines

Monday, Jan 30: deadline for 2-page (600 word) paper

Feb 1: deadline for adding classes

Feb 2: deadline for dropping classes

Friday, Mar. 3: deadline for thesis statement and preliminary bibliography for 6-page (1800 word) paper; OPTIONAL rough draft deadline, if you want feedback and enough time to revise.

Saturday, Mar. 4 - Sunday, Mar. 12: spring recess

Wednesday, March 15: deadline to drop with a W on your transcript

Friday, March 17, 11:55pm: Deadline for 6-page (1800 word) paper

Friday, April 21: Submit Thesis Statement and Bibliography for Final Paper (cite your primary text(s) plus at least three secondary texts) via Assignments. OPTIONAL rough draft deadline, if you want feedback and enough time to revise.

Tuesday, May 2: Last day of class

Tuesday, May 9: Deadline for 12-page (3600 word) paper; 20 pages (6000 words) for capstone students