CHNS 452
(IL)
Contemporary China: Culture and Trends (3 per semester/maximum of 6) Survey of aspects of the contemporary Chinese-speaking world. Includes readings from Chinese newspapers, magazines, and fiction. Topics may vary each semester.
CHNS 452 Contemporary China: Culture and Trends (3)
(IL)
BA - This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
This course surveys Chinese cultural production in the contemporary period, with an emphasis on literature. Taught in Chinese; readings and assignments in Chinese.
The course will examine the diverse forms of cultural expression (literature, film, new media, theater, television) throughout the Chinese-speaking world. Students will learn about major cultural trends in such locations as mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the worldwide Chinese diaspora. Readings will represent several genres, such as poetry, folktale, short story, novel, prose fiction, and drama. Through this course students can develop a historical and cultural perspective in order to understand the contexts and value systems that have inspired literary works in the contemporary period. Students will investigate such topics as the relation between social institutions and the individual, the traditional patriarchal system, the changing roles of women, westernization, and postmodern consumer culture, among others.
Class work will includes lectures or presentations by the instructor and student participation through means such as guided discussions, group discussions, and students' presentations. This participatory approach is intended to deepen students' appreciation of the texts, to help them understand value systems that may differ from, or else be shared with, those predominant in modern Western cultures, and to assist students in developing analytical and expressive abilities.
Chinese 452 is designed to be suitable for students (Chinese majors) who have completed Chinese 401. The course is designed to count as international cultures, and as a B.A. "Other Cultures" course.
This course will be taught in the active-learning mode, featuring a variety of instructional components such as lecture, discussion, oral presentations, web-based activities, etc., to provide students abundant opportunity for expressing their opinions. The course will include writing, speaking, self-expression; information gathering, synthesis, and analysis; and international/intercultural components.
Note : Class size, frequency of offering, and evaluation methods will vary by location and instructor. For these details check the specific course syllabus.