Home>Course>[CHES5127] The Male Bond in Traditional China>CHES5127

Romance of Three Kingdoms (Sankuo yanyi) and Outlaws of the Marsh (Shuihu zhuan), two masterpieces of classical Chinese fiction, are treasure troves of traditional Chinese values. This course will focus on the phenomenon of male bonding, an important facet of masculinity, as illustrated in these two works. Through a close study of major selections from the novels, their filmic adaptations, background materials and critical literature, students will come to understand the nature of close relationships between men in Chinese culture, observable in many social situations even today.

1. Organizational Meeting
2. Theme and Structure of SGYY and SHZh
3. The Study of Femininity and Masculinity in China
4. Traditional View of Friendship and the Five Ethical Bonds
5. Good and Bad Women
6. Male Bonding
7. The Sworn Brotherhood
8. Friendship in Rivalry
9. Loyalty: Making Friends with Your Boss
10. The Man and His Alter-ego
11. Virtual and Real Kinship
12. Filmic Adaptations of SGYY and SHZh