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Critical changes in literature and culture took place across the twentieth century in China. These changes were in response to the self-strengthening demands of young revolutionaries after decades of war and national humiliation. Over several decades, Chinese writers experimented with Western literary genres, including realism, romanticism, imagism, modernism, critical realism, magical realism, postmodernism, and so on. Chinese writers constantly probed the issue of literary modernity and attempted to redefine China and Chineseness by incorporating Western influences into classical Chinese aesthetics.

This class explores Chinese literary tradition in the twentieth century and early twenty first century through fiction (novels, short stories, poetry, etc.) and films from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China. Major themes we will discuss include socio-political reformation, gender relations, urban space, the environment, and individual subjectivity. Creatively engaging with Western influences and classical literary traditions, Chinese writers and filmmakers we examine showcase how the Chinese reconstructed modern literature in relation to China’s nation-building process. All readings are available in English translations of Chinese originals. No prior knowledge of Chinese is assumed or required.

I. The Obsession with China

Week 1 (Sept 4)         Course Overview & The Origins of Modern Chinese Literature

Week 2 (Sept 11)       May Fourth Movement: Literature and the Nation

Week 3 (Sept 18)       Public Holiday, No Class

Week 4 (Sept 25)       May Fourth Movement and the Salvation of Women

Week 5 (Oct 2)           New Women on Screen

Week 6 (Oct 9)           Iconoclasts of Modern China

Article Analysis Due by Oct 11

Week 7 (Oct 16)         The Lyrical Tradition of Modern Chinese Literature

II. The Lure of the Modern

Week 8 (Oct 23)         New Sensationism and the Rise of Urban Centers

Week 9 (Oct 30)         Constructing the New Woman

Week 10 (Nov 6)        Women’s Writing and the Quotidian

Term Paper Proposal due by Nov 8

III. New China and the Age of Revolution

Week 11 (Nov 13)      The Beginning of the New Era and Root-Seeking Literature

IV. The Postmodern in Chinese Literature

Week 12 (Nov 20)      Hong Kong and the Post-colonial Identity

Week 13 (Nov 27)      Imagining the Post-human: From Science Fantasy to Science Fiction

Term Paper Due by Nov 28

[Participation]                                                             15%

[Pop Quizzes]                                                              15%

[In-class Literary Analysis]                                        10%

[Article Review]                                                         10%

[Group Presentation]                                                   15%

[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/.