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Chinese Culture I

A.Y. 2019/2020
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-OR/21
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to Chinese traditional culture, focusing on the close relationship between the Chinese system of writing and the development of Chinese civilization. One of the main elements which shaped the ancient Chinese culture is the concept of script (wen). In fact writing in China was the powerful means to unify the country and spread the culture of the "Middle Kingdom" ( Zhongguo). During the course of the long standing Confucian society the concept of wen was related to the civilian sphere and wu to the military sphere, and even today the character wen is part of words such as "civilization" (wenming), "culture", (wenhua), "literature" (wenxue), "literary work" (wenzhang). Starting from these keywords the course will analyze some of the fundamental elements of the Chinese traditional civilization in order to provide the basis for understanding contemporary China.
Expected learning outcomes
The course will supply students with the basic competnces and skills to deal with the major aspects of the traditionbal Cinese culture in terms of history, lietature and history of thought.

Lesson period: First semester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

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Course syllabus and organization

gruppo 1

Responsible
Mottura Bettina Marta Rosa
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to Chinese traditional culture, focusing on the close relationship between the Chinese system of writing and the development of Chinese civilization. One of the main elements which shaped the ancient Chinese culture is the concept of script (wen). In fact writing in China was the powerful means to unify the country and spread the culture of the "Middle Kingdom" ( Zhongguo). During the course of the long standing Confucian society the concept of wen was related to the civilian sphere and wu to the military sphere, and even today the character wen is part of words such as "civilization" (wenming), "culture", (wenhua), "literature" (wenxue), "literary work" (wenzhang). Starting from these keywords the course will analyze some of the fundamental elements of the Chinese traditional civilization in order to provide the basis for understanding contemporary China.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is offered to first year students with no previous experiences in learning Chinese culture, it does not require previous knowledge.
Teaching methods
The course includes the screening of Chinese movies, readings of literary texts and seminars by distinguished guests from the Chinese cultural scene, in order to strenghten the students skills and knowledge.
Informations and materials will be published on the ARIEL web portal.
Teaching Resources
Materials for students with a high school diploma obtained in Italy
1) Alessandra Lavagnino, Sivia Pozzi, Cultura Cinese. Segno, scrittura, civiltà, Roma, Carocci, 2013.
2) Silvia Pozzi (a cura di), Confucio re senza corona, Milano, O barra O edizioni, 2011.
3) Le seguenti sezioni tratte da Edoarda Masi, Cento capolavori della letteratura cinese, Macerata, Quodlibet, 2009: "Il libro della poesia (Shijing)" - "Zhuangzi" - "Mengzi" - "Xunzi" - "Han Feizi" - "Memorie dello storico (Shiji)" - Li Bo e WangWei - "Il padiglione delle peonie (Mudanting)" - "Viaggio a Occidente (Xiyouji)" - "Jin Ping Mei" - "Racconti straordinari dello studio di Liao (Liaozhaizhiyi)" - "Il sogno della camera rossa (Hong loumeng)".
4) Chinese history basic knowledge (from the origins to the late Qing period) on: John Roberts, Storia della Cina, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007. (capp. I, II, III, IV e V fino a p. 262).
5) Read one of the following novels: Jin Ping Mei (Chin P'ing Mei), Romanzo erotico cinese del sec. XVI (trad. di P. Jahier, dalla versione inglese di A. Waley), 2 voll., Milano, Feltrinelli, 1980 oppure Torino, Einaudi. - Wu Ch'êng-ên, Lo scimmiotto (trad. di A. Motti, dalla versione inglese di A. Waley), Torino, Einaudi, 1982.- Cao Xueqin (Ts'aoHsüeh-Ch'in), Il sogno della camera rossa (trad. di E. Masi), 2 voll., Torino, Einaudi, 1964; 3 voll., Torino, U.T.E.T., 1981; Milano, BUR Rizzoli, 2008 o altre edizioni.
6) Writing exercises: Bettina Mottura, Jin Zhigang, . Caratteri cinesi: esercizi di scrittura, Milano, Unicopli, 2015.
7) Chinese movies screened in class.

Materials for students with non Italian nationality holding a high school diploma not obtained in Italy
1) Alessandra Lavagnino, Sivia Pozzi, Cultura Cinese. Segno, scrittura, civiltà, Roma, Carocci, 2013.
2) Chinese history basic knowledge (from the origins to the late Qing period) on: John Roberts, Storia della Cina, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007. (capp. I, II, III, IV e V fino a p. 262).
3) Read one of the following novels: Jin Ping Mei (ChinP'ing Mei), Romanzo erotico cinese del sec. XVI (trad. di P. Jahier, dalla versione inglese di A. Waley), 2 voll., Milano, Feltrinelli, 1980 oppure Torino, Einaudi. - Wu Ch'êng-ên, Lo scimmiotto (trad. di A. Motti, dalla versione inglese di A. Waley), Torino, Einaudi, 1982.- Cao Xueqin (Ts'ao Hsüeh-Ch'in), Il sogno della camera rossa (trad. di E. Masi), 2 voll., Torino, Einaudi, 1964; 3 voll., Torino, U.T.E.T., 1981; Milano, BUR Rizzoli, 2008 o altre edizioni.

Any replacement readings for non-attending students must be agreed in advance with the teacher.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test focusing on the content of the textbooks selected for this course. Besides, students' active participation to the course and writtern reports on conferences or other cultural activities offered in the programme, will be positively evaluated.
Teaching Unit 1
L-OR/21 - CHINESE AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Riva Natalia Francesca
Shifts:
-
Professor: Riva Natalia Francesca
Teaching Unit 2
L-OR/21 - CHINESE AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Pozzi Silvia
Shifts:
-
Professor: Pozzi Silvia
Teaching Unit 3
L-OR/21 - CHINESE AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Riva Natalia Francesca
Shifts:
-
Professor: Riva Natalia Francesca

gruppo 2

Responsible
Mottura Bettina Marta Rosa
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to Chinese traditional culture, focusing on the close relationship between the Chinese system of writing and the development of Chinese civilization. One of the main elements which shaped the ancient Chinese culture is the concept of script (wen). In fact writing in China was the powerful means to unify the country and spread the culture of the "Middle Kingdom" ( Zhongguo). During the course of the long standing Confucian society the concept of wen was related to the civilian sphere and wu to the military sphere, and even today the character wen is part of words such as "civilization" (wenming), "culture", (wenhua), "literature" (wenxue), "literary work" (wenzhang). Starting from these keywords the course will analyze some of the fundamental elements of the Chinese traditional civilization in order to provide the basis for understanding contemporary China.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is offered to first year students with no previous experiences in learning Chinese culture, it does not require previous knowledge.
Teaching methods
The course includes the screening of Chinese movies, readings of literary texts and seminars by distinguished guests from the Chinese cultural scene, in order to strenghten the students skills and knowledge.
Informations and materials will be published on the ARIEL web portal.
Teaching Resources
Materials for students with a high school diploma obtained in Italy
1) Alessandra Lavagnino, Sivia Pozzi, Cultura Cinese. Segno, scrittura, civiltà, Roma, Carocci, 2013.
2) Silvia Pozzi (a cura di), Confucio re senza corona, Milano, O barra O edizioni, 2011.
3) Le seguenti sezioni tratte da Edoarda Masi, Cento capolavori della letteratura cinese, Macerata, Quodlibet, 2009: "Il libro della poesia (Shijing)" - "Zhuangzi" - "Mengzi" - "Xunzi" - "Han Feizi" - "Memorie dello storico (Shiji)" - Li Bo e WangWei - "Il padiglione delle peonie (Mudanting)" - "Viaggio a Occidente (Xiyouji)" - "Jin Ping Mei" - "Racconti straordinari dello studio di Liao (Liaozhaizhiyi)" - "Il sogno della camera rossa (Hong loumeng)".
4) Chinese history basic knowledge (from the origins to the late Qing period) on: John Roberts, Storia della Cina, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007. (capp. I, II, III, IV e V fino a p. 262).
5) Read one of the following novels: Jin Ping Mei (Chin P'ing Mei), Romanzo erotico cinese del sec. XVI (trad. di P. Jahier, dalla versione inglese di A. Waley), 2 voll., Milano, Feltrinelli, 1980 oppure Torino, Einaudi. - Wu Ch'êng-ên, Lo scimmiotto (trad. di A. Motti, dalla versione inglese di A. Waley), Torino, Einaudi, 1982.- Cao Xueqin (Ts'aoHsüeh-Ch'in), Il sogno della camera rossa (trad. di E. Masi), 2 voll., Torino, Einaudi, 1964; 3 voll., Torino, U.T.E.T., 1981; Milano, BUR Rizzoli, 2008 o altre edizioni.
6) Writing exercises: Bettina Mottura, Jin Zhigang, . Caratteri cinesi: esercizi di scrittura, Milano, Unicopli, 2015.
7) Chinese movies screened in class.

Materials for students with non Italian nationality holding a high school diploma not obtained in Italy
1) Alessandra Lavagnino, Sivia Pozzi, Cultura Cinese. Segno, scrittura, civiltà, Roma, Carocci, 2013.
2) Chinese history basic knowledge (from the origins to the late Qing period) on: John Roberts, Storia della Cina, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007. (capp. I, II, III, IV e V fino a p. 262).
3) Read one of the following novels: Jin Ping Mei (ChinP'ing Mei), Romanzo erotico cinese del sec. XVI (trad. di P. Jahier, dalla versione inglese di A. Waley), 2 voll., Milano, Feltrinelli, 1980 oppure Torino, Einaudi. - Wu Ch'êng-ên, Lo scimmiotto (trad. di A. Motti, dalla versione inglese di A. Waley), Torino, Einaudi, 1982.- Cao Xueqin (Ts'ao Hsüeh-Ch'in), Il sogno della camera rossa (trad. di E. Masi), 2 voll., Torino, Einaudi, 1964; 3 voll., Torino, U.T.E.T., 1981; Milano, BUR Rizzoli, 2008 o altre edizioni.

Any replacement readings for non-attending students must be agreed in advance with the teacher.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The acquired knowledge will be tested with an oral exam focusing on the content of the textbooks selected for this course. Besides, students' active participation to the course, the conferences and other cultural activities offered in the programme, will be taken into account in the student performance evaluation.
Teaching Unit 1
L-OR/21 - CHINESE AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Teaching Unit 2
L-OR/21 - CHINESE AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Teaching Unit 3
L-OR/21 - CHINESE AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)