Modern Chinese Popular Culture I (204-0-20)

Instructors

Sihan Wang

Meeting Info

Parkes Hall 212: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

AY24-25 Modern Chinese Popular Cultures is a two-quarter series on the popular cultures of Mainland China—and to a lesser extent, Hong Kong and Taiwan—from the mid-nineteenth century through the present day. Part I, which ends with World War II, explores not only the cultural products that found favor with the public, but also a broader selection of works (some avant-garde) influenced by or produced using the "new media" most closely associated with the popular culture of this period: especially film, photography, mass print media, and sound recording. We will consider such works in light of a series of related questions: What makes a medium "new"? What is the relationship between "new" and its implied other, "old"? Between "Western" technology and "Chinese" traditions? Between high, low, and middlebrow culture? Between entertainment and ideology? This course is designed not only to introduce the history of cultural production in (and of) Modern China but also to help students hone their close reading, listening, and viewing skills, and to improve their analytical and critical writing abilities. This syllabus is subject to change.

Teaching Method

Lectures and discussions

Evaluation Method

Participation, attendance, and preparation (20%) Presentation (15%): Scene Analysis (10%): Detailed guidelines to follow Essay I (15%): 2-3 pages, Detailed guidelines to follow Essay II (20%): 3-4 pages, Detailed guidelines to follow Essay III (20%): 4-5 pages, Detailed guidelines to follow

Class Materials (Required)

Course materials will be available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area