George Mason University
Department of Modern & Classical Languages

 

Chinese 310: Survey of Traditional Chinese Literature--Spring 2009
Class Meeting Time: TR 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Class Meeting Room: T227
Professor: Dr. Karl K. Zhang
Telephone: (703) 993-4231
Office: Thompson 235G
Office Hours: TR 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and by appointment
E-mail: kzhang@gmu.edu
Website: http//:mason.gmu.edu/~kzhang

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Summary of the Course: An introduction of the outlines of Chinese literature from

the beginning to the nineteenth century, presented through literary sources arranged in roughly chronological order. Our readings include poetry, fiction, drama and personal essays as well as documents of philosophy, history, religion, and transcribed oral records. No one can expect to "cover" traditional Chinese literature in one semester, but I hope that you will leave this course with a sense of the richness of the literature, a basic map of China's literary development, and an interest in investigating it further.

My Expectations of You: Participation in class is very important, because I take seriously the idea that my job is not simply to "present" material but to work through, analyze and add to it. Classes will be a combination of lecture and discussion. Be sure to have the material read before class meeting so that you can contribute to the discussions. This course fulfills the General Education Requirement in Literature, so in addition to ten weekly journals, you will also write for me two exams and one paper (five to eight pages) on an assigned topic. Point breakdown: participation, 20%; weekly journals, 25%; first exam, 20%; second exam, 20%; research paper, 15%.

Bibliography: This book is for sale at the University Bookstore: Victor Mair, The Shorter Columbia Anthology of Traditional Chinese Literature  (New York: Columbia University Press, 2000).  This text is required; by the end of the course we will have read it almost from cover to cover. Other readings will be distributed in class or put on reserve in Johnson Center Library as we advance. In addition, I hope to bring in visiting speakers, show slides and perhaps three or four video tapes.

Student Presentations and Extra Credits Student presentations are optional but will be awarded with one extra credit. Those who do poorly in participation, midterm or weekly journals should consider doing extra work for extra credits. In addition to presentation, students are also encouraged to visit the Freer and Sackler Galleries for Asian Arts in Downtown D.C. for extra credits (http://www.asia.si.edu/visitor/default.htm). Up to two extra credits will be given a student.

Honor Code The George Mason University Honor Code is in effect throughout the entire duration of the course and applies to all course work carried out inside and outside the classroom. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the GMU Honor System and Code as laid out in the Student Handbook. Please refer to http://www.gmu.edu/mlstudents/handbook/honor.html for detailed information.

Policy on Disabilities Students with disabilities who seek accommodations in a course must be registered with the GMU Disability Resource Center (DRC) and inform the instructor, in writing, at the beginning of the semester. Please see www.gmu.edu/student/drc or call 703-993-2474 to access the DRC. 

 

 

 

Grading Scale

A      100-93
A-     92-90
B+     89-87
B      86-83
B-     82-80
C+     79-77
C      76-70
D      69-60
F      59-0

 


Session-by-Session Syllabus (In case you are unable to finish reading everything, try to finish the readings with a star sign at least.


Session by Session Schedule

Date

Class 

Homework

1/20 T

 

1/22 R

 Inauguration Day, No class

 

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Introduction to the Course and a Video Show on Chinese Civilization （DVD: China: The Mandate of Heaven, available in JC, University Catalog Call Number: CB311 .L4 2002）

 

 

 

In-Class Written Questions (Assignment 1)

 

1/27 T

 1/29 R

 

Beginning of the Poetic and Philosophical Traditions: * Classics of Odes (61); * The Great Preface (attachment).

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* Confucian Analects (17); * Mencius (20); Video Show: Confucianism (Religion: A World History. BL 48.R44 1998, pt 2).

T. Assignment 2 Due

2/03 T


2/05 R

Beginning of the Poetic and Philosophical Traditions Continued: Video Show: Taoism  (Religion: A World History. BL 48.R44 1998, pt 8); *Chuang Chou (22).

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* Lao Tzu (32).

T. Assignment 3 Due

2/10 T


 

2/12 R

The Warring States, Qin and Han.
* Mo Tzu (attachment); Duties of the Student (12); * Ground-Thumping Song (242);
 Heavenly Questions (192);
Two Avengers (attachment); Qin Penal Servitude Code (attachment).
-------------------------------------------------------* Letter to Ren An by Sima Qian * Biography of Ching Ko (attachment); Video Excerpt from “The Emperor and Assassin.” by Chen, Kaige, available in Johnson Center , University Library Catalog Call Number: PN1997 .E5561 2000

T. Assignment 4 Due

2/17 T

 


2/19 R

From Han to Tang.
* Song of The Great Wind (241); Seven Stimuli (211).

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* Li Yen-nien (243), * They Fought South of the Wall (247); * Watering Horses (249); I Watered my Horse (attachment); * Enduring the Cold (250) * Nineteen Old Poems (247).

T. Assignment 5 Due

2/24 T


 

 

 

2/26 R

*Orchid Pavilion (351); * Peach Blossom Spring (364). * The Return (235); * Tao Chien selections (77).

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* Hsieh Ling-yun selections (80);

* A Peacock Southeast Flew (255);

* Mulan (267).

T. Assignment 6 Due

3/03 T
3/05 R

Video Show: Mulan.
Midterm Exam.

 

3/09-3/15

Spring Break

 

3/17 T


3/19 R

Tang, Song and Yuan.
A Video Show: Chinese Tang Dynasty

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* All Selections from Wang Wei
  (90, 270); * Li Po (92, 147, 342);.

 

3/24 T


3/26 R

*Tu Fu (97).

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*The Story of Ying-ying (507); Jokes (430);
Video Show: Buddhism (Religion: A World History. BL 48.R44 1998, pt 8)

 T. Assignment 7 Due

3/31 T


 

4/02 R

* Su Shih selections (119, 158, 238);

* Li Ch’ing-chao selections (165); 

* Li Ch’ing-chao, Bronze and Stone (355);
 * Longing to Recover the North (handouts).

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* Autumn Thoughts (176);

* Injustice to Tou O (673);
Country Cousin at the Theater (174);

 

 T. Assignment 8 Due

4/07 T


4/09 R

Ming and Qing.
* Strange Tales (485).

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* Sketches from the Cottage (496).
 

T. Assignment 9 Due

4/14 T


4/16 R

* Wu Sung Beats the Tiger (581)

STUDENT PRESENTATION

Transformation Text on Mahamaudgalyayana

(607)

 The Peach Blossom Fan (1306).

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* The Scholars (attachment).

T. Assignment 10 Due

4/21 T


4/23 R

Video Show: Perfumed Handkerchief.
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STUDENT PRESENTATION:

*The Journey to the West (566);* Burial Mound for Flowers (591)

 T. Assignment 11 Due

4/28 T


4/30 R

STUDENT PRESENTATION:

Lessons for Women (320)

Governor of the Southern Branch (517).

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*The Mortal Thoughts of a Nun (721); 

* The Peony Pavilion (713).  Video Show: The Chinese Cracker (Teacher's copy, University does not have one)

 

5/05 T

Review

 

 5/07 R

 

5/12 T

Final Exam 10:30 p.m.-1:15 p.m. in the same classroom

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12:00 Noon: Paper due by email attachment

to kzhang@gmu.edu