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This course introduces the classical Chinese literary tradition in translation. In this course, we will explore genres including fiction, poetry, essays, and biographies in relation to three major sets of themes and traditions: 1) the fantastic, the immortal, and the ghostly; 2) the moral, the loyal, and the outlaws; and 3) the romantic, the scholar, and the beauty. These themes and traditions are, however, intertwined in the history of Chinese literature, influencing the consumption pattern of readers of popular literature. Through these themes and traditions, we analyze key issues regarding the formation of literary canon in China and how Han Chinese literati define the relationship between the foreign and the domestic, the Han and the non-Han, male and female, lawful subjects and outlaws in the process of literary canonization. The texts we read for this course will demonstrate Chinese culture as a dynamic, diverse, and hybrid one jointly shaped by domestic traditions and foreign influences. All readings are available in English translations. No prior knowledge of Chinese is assumed.

Week 1 (Sept 5)         Course Overview: Myth and Mythology of Traditional Chinese Culture

No tutorial on Sept 10th

I.The Moral, the Loyal, and the Outlaws

Week 2 (Sept 12)       The Noble Person and the Knight-errant

Tutorial: Sept 17

Week 3 (Sept 19)       Feminine Virtues and the Martial Arts Feminism 

Tutorial: Sept 24

Week 4 (Sept 26)       The Righteous Outlaw and the Folk Culture

Public Holiday, No Tutorial on Oct 1

Week 5 (Oct 3)           Synthesizing Filial Piety in the Buddhist Tradition

Tutorial: Oct 8

II.The Fantastic, the Exotic, and the Ghostly

Week 6 (Oct 10)         Life as a Dream: The Daoist Tradition and the Transformation of Things

Tutorial: Oct 15

Week 7 (Oct 17)         The Peach Blossom Spring and the Utopian Narrative

Tutorial: Oct 22

Week 8 (Oct 24)         The Ghosts, the Monsters, and the Supernatural Power

Tutorial: Oct 29

Week 9 (Oct 31)         A Thousand Faces of the Monkey King

Tutorial: Nov 5

III. The Romantic, the Scholar, and the Beauty

Week 10 (Nov 7)        Femme Fatale and Eternal Love 

Tutorial: Nov 12

Week 11 (Nov 14)      Congregation Day, No Class

Week 12 (Nov 21)      The Return of the Ghost and the Kun Opera

Tutorial: Nov 26

Week 13 (Nov 28)      The Cult of Qing and the Writing of the Family History

Final Paper due by 5pm Nov 30

[Participation]                                                              15%

[Discussion Posts]                                                        15%

[Pop Quizzes]                                                              15%

[Group Presentation]                                                     20%

[Term Paper Proposal]                                                  5%

[Term Paper]                                                                30%

Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/.