Chinese Culture I
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course offers a reflection on the specificities of contemporary Sinophone culture, both within and beyond the geopolitical borders of the People's Republic of China. Starting from the notions of "center" and "periphery," articulated in political, social, and aesthetic dimensions, a critical exploration of the diverse identity issues within the Sinophone universe will be unfolded. The course will adopt the perspective of Sinophone literary and cinematic productions to probe into some of the core themes of contemporary society, such as gender identity, situated at the margins of Chinese cultural hegemony. The intention is to provide the class with an overview of the complexity and polyphony of certain current cultural phenomena, as well as the conflicts with hierarchical structures of dominant discourse.
One of the primary objectives of the course is to stimulate critical, communicative, and research skills, including group work and discussions on selected topics.
One of the primary objectives of the course is to stimulate critical, communicative, and research skills, including group work and discussions on selected topics.
Expected learning outcomes
Attending the course, the class will have the opportunity to exercise their learning abilities by examining complex texts, including those in the Chinese language, and enhance their communication skills through presentations and public discussions of written works and multimedia materials. The formation of critical thinking will be encouraged through discussions, debates, and the organization of conferences and meetings with guest speakers. By the end of the course, the class will:
- Have gained familiarity with the concept of "Sinophone" and its manifestations in the framework of the contemporary cultural context, within the field of Sinophone Studies.
- Have developed a critical awareness of some of the historical and cultural issues occurring within the contemporary Sinophone world.
- Be able to articulate a conceptually and terminologically competent critical discourse on the main themes of contemporary Chinese culture covered during the course.
- Be capable of assessing their reflection within the context of literary and aesthetic production.
- Have gained familiarity with the concept of "Sinophone" and its manifestations in the framework of the contemporary cultural context, within the field of Sinophone Studies.
- Have developed a critical awareness of some of the historical and cultural issues occurring within the contemporary Sinophone world.
- Be able to articulate a conceptually and terminologically competent critical discourse on the main themes of contemporary Chinese culture covered during the course.
- Be capable of assessing their reflection within the context of literary and aesthetic production.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course consists of 20 lectures (40 hours) over one semester taught by the course professor ("the instructor"), organized as follows:
1. In the initial phase, essential theoretical and methodological coordinates will be provided to navigate along the critical path outlined in the course. Key concepts will be defined, crucial aspects of Chinese modernity and contemporaneity will be revisited, and fundamental tools for understanding the themes from a critical perspective will be offered.
2. In the second phase, we will begin delving into various identity expressions within the complex Sinophone cultural landscape, particularly within queer culture, through the lens of literature.
3. In the third and final phase, the exploration will continue along the thread of Sinophone identity in the realm of cinematic production as a voice from the margins.
1. In the initial phase, essential theoretical and methodological coordinates will be provided to navigate along the critical path outlined in the course. Key concepts will be defined, crucial aspects of Chinese modernity and contemporaneity will be revisited, and fundamental tools for understanding the themes from a critical perspective will be offered.
2. In the second phase, we will begin delving into various identity expressions within the complex Sinophone cultural landscape, particularly within queer culture, through the lens of literature.
3. In the third and final phase, the exploration will continue along the thread of Sinophone identity in the realm of cinematic production as a voice from the margins.
Prerequisites for admission
Students are expected to possess a solid understanding of the cultural history of the People's Republic of China.
Teaching methods
Lectures (in Italian) and hosted seminars. During class, students are strongly invited to engage in active discussions with the instructor and classmates on relevant topics.
Participation in activities and events is strongly recommended. News and updates on events and teaching materials will be available on ARIEL.
Participation in activities and events is strongly recommended. News and updates on events and teaching materials will be available on ARIEL.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography for students who will attend the course:
1. Yue, Audrey and Olivia, Khoo, eds. Sinophone Cinemas. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
2. Martin, Fran. "Transnational queer Sinophone cultures". In Routledge Handbook of Sexuality Studies in East Asia, edited by Mark McLelland and Vera Mackie. London and New York: Routledge, 2015.
3. Bai Xianyong , Niezi , or the English version (Pai Hsien-yung, Crystal Boys).
Bibliography for students who will not be able to attend the course:
1. Shih, Shu-mei, Tsai Chien-hsin, and Brian Bernards, eds. Sinophone Studies. A Critical Reader. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013.
2. Martin, Fran. "Transnational queer Sinophone cultures". In Routledge Handbook of Sexuality Studies in East Asia, edited by Mark McLelland and Vera Mackie. London and New York: Routledge, 2015.
3. Bai Xianyong , Niezi , or the English version (Pai Hsien-yung, Crystal Boys).
4. Yue, Audrey and Olivia, Khoo, eds. Sinophone Cinemas. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
5. Chiang, Howard, and Ari Larissa Heinrich, eds. Queer Sinophone Cultures. London and New York: Routledge, 2014.
1. Yue, Audrey and Olivia, Khoo, eds. Sinophone Cinemas. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
2. Martin, Fran. "Transnational queer Sinophone cultures". In Routledge Handbook of Sexuality Studies in East Asia, edited by Mark McLelland and Vera Mackie. London and New York: Routledge, 2015.
3. Bai Xianyong , Niezi , or the English version (Pai Hsien-yung, Crystal Boys).
Bibliography for students who will not be able to attend the course:
1. Shih, Shu-mei, Tsai Chien-hsin, and Brian Bernards, eds. Sinophone Studies. A Critical Reader. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013.
2. Martin, Fran. "Transnational queer Sinophone cultures". In Routledge Handbook of Sexuality Studies in East Asia, edited by Mark McLelland and Vera Mackie. London and New York: Routledge, 2015.
3. Bai Xianyong , Niezi , or the English version (Pai Hsien-yung, Crystal Boys).
4. Yue, Audrey and Olivia, Khoo, eds. Sinophone Cinemas. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
5. Chiang, Howard, and Ari Larissa Heinrich, eds. Queer Sinophone Cultures. London and New York: Routledge, 2014.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment is based on an oral exam. In the discussion, space will be given to the ability to contextualize and critically combine the contents of the course.
Class attendance, active participation, as well as group work, and the elaboration of reports or short papers on films or conferences, are also duly taken into consideration for the final assessment.
Class attendance, active participation, as well as group work, and the elaboration of reports or short papers on films or conferences, are also duly taken into consideration for the final assessment.
L-OR/21 - CHINESE AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Gallo Simona
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Professor(s)