Spring 2009

ANS 372 • Chinese Film and Literature

Course Description

This is a survey course on twentieth-century Chinese film and literature. The course is divided into three parts. In the first month or so, we will read stories from China's pre-Revolution period, including works by such representative May Fourth authors as Lu Xun, Shen Congwen, and Mao Dun, and view films adapted from their works (mostly produced in the late 1950s and early 1980s). The second part of the semester focuses on the contemporary, or the Post-Mao, period. Our attention will be directed to both works that enjoy popularity among the global audience, such as Chen Kaige's and Zhang Yimou's movies, and literary and cinematic works better known within China. The last part of the course deals with works from Taiwan's post-1949 era, including films by such internationally renowned auteurs as Hou Hsiao-hsien, Edward Yang, and Tsai Ming-liang.

Grading Policy

Three papers 75 % Class participation 25 %

Texts

Required Xeroxed course packet Lau, Joseph S. M., C. T. Hsia, and Leo Ou-fan Lee eds. Modern Chinese Stories and Novellas 1919-1949. New York: Columbia University Press, 1981. Chen, Ran, A private life Mian, Mian, Candy: a novel Wang, Wen-hsing, Family Catastrophe Recommended Yu, Hua, Chronicle of a blood merchant Pai Hsien-yung, Crystal Boys Chu Tien-wen, Notes of a Desolate Man Yu, Hua, Chronicle of a blood merchant Chen, Ran, A private life Mian, Mian, Candy: a novel Wei Hui, Shanghai baby

back