The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Literature, edited by Lau and Goldblatt.

The Literature of China in the Twentieth Century, edited by McDougall and Louie.

Additional Readings will be available in PDF file.

Films and Videos

China in Revolution, 1911-1949

Girl from Hunan

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of Chinese literature of the twentieth century. We will examine examples of the major literary genres such as fiction, poetry, prose and essay. This course introduces some important Chinese writers and literary trends in the twentieth century, emphasizing the intricate relationship between literature and social change, between narration and nation as “imagined communities,” between modern intellectuals and their audiences. It focuses on the complex issue of modernity in relation to tradition, gender, sexuality, and revolution.

The course format combines lecture and discussion. Brief lectures by the instructor will introduce historical background and propose possible frameworks for reading the texts. In-class discussions will allow you to share responses, exchange ideas, check understanding, and practice close reading. Detailed textual analysis is emphasized, and students are to learn not just to summarize but also to critique, to have an opinion about characters, structures and writers, with or without further research.

It is hoped that through the readings and discussions you will be able to gain a broad knowledge of Chinese literature, develop independent and critical thinking in a stimulating, non-judgmental environment.

Grading

Attendance/discussion 15%

Quizzes 10%

Presentation (1) 15% (10% oral report, 5% written)

Critical Analysis (2) 30%

Final Exam 30%

Course Requirements

Attendance is mandatory.

Attendance is mandatory. 2 unexcused absence--no questions asked; each unexcused absence will drop your participation grade by one letter since the success of this class depends much on discussion.

An excused absence entitles you to make up for certain missed work. You can earn your participation points by emailing me your understanding of the readings before class the following week. However, there is no makeup for quizzes.

Satisfactory documentation is required for each absence. As soon as possible after your return, meet with me to set up a schedule for making up any work you have missed.

If you are seeing doctor at that particular time, unless it is an emergency, a doctor’s note will not excuse your absence. Simply informing me before class does not excuse you either.

Class participation is expected since talking with fellow students is the best way to learn. So earn your good grade the fun way—start and keep talking in class! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, but you do need to show that you are familiar with the readings and that you have seriously thought about the texts. Be prepared and read before class.

Quizzes

A pop quiz will be given on any day, and it will be a couple of simple questions on the readings. Be prepared.

Presentations (1, 10-minute oral report and 3 pages of written report)

There should be no more than 2 presentations on the same day.

You can focus on one important theme/concept (such as modernity, gender, revolution, etc.) and see how it is being represented or constructed in the text. Or analyze one character, or compare different characters. You need to make a clear argument/present a reasonable opinion, supported by details from the text and/or your research.

Your oral presentation will be about 10 minutes, and your written report can be exactly what you are telling the class (meaning you will be reading from your written report).

You can NOT just summarize the text(s), except when you are presenting the criticisms. But you are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions.

Critical Analysis (2, 6 pages, typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12; Due 3/6& 4/26)

You do not have to do additional research to write this paper although your independent research will certainly help you shape and sharpen your ideas. A librarian will be happy to help you do research. You can also do online research, although it takes time to find high-quality sites.

This paper is a formal academic paper, in which you must present your thesis statement (your main argument), supported by well-organized evidences from the text(s) or your research. We will talk more about the structure of the formal paper later.

You must cite your sources. Failure to cite will be considered plagiarism and reported to the University. It will also result in an F for the course.

Things to pay attention to when you write an analysis:

Critical analysis means that you must apply thoughtful reasoning to the arguments presented in this course through readings and discussion. It means not only finding what is right with something, but also what is wrong with the argument, and why.
You must always have a thesis statement, which must be supported throughout your writing, with reasons or examples. That is, everything in your analysis must be related to your major argument—the thesis statement.
You need to keep your reader in mind. Are you giving the reader enough information? Therefore, you will need to pay attention to details so that you will support yourself with detailed and specific examples from the text. And you must explain your examples in a way that makes them related to your arguments.

This paper is a critical analysis of the text(s), characters, etc. Remember Critical analysis is NOT:

A summary.
Broad generalizations without further support and analysis
Citing long quotes from the readings without analyzing them or explaining their importance to you or to us

Final Exam, Take Home, Due May 8, by 11pm via email

Final exam consists of short essay questions. A review sheet will be given a week before the exam.

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.

Class will start on time. Please be respectful by arriving on time and not leaving early. As to classroom climate, respect each other. Racist, sexist, heterosexist or homophobic, anti-Semitic, and discriminatory language regarding any ethnic group, faith or religion, will not be tolerated.

Late paper: NOT accepted.

Schedule of Readings

Introduction: Major Issues and Political/Cultural Backgrounds

WEEK 1

Tu 1/23 Introduction to the course, introduction to each other

Th 1/25 Screening: China, A Century of Revolution, 1919-1936

Leo Lee, “Literary Trends: The Quest for Modernity, 1895-1927”

WEEK 2

Tu 1/30 Screening: China, A Century of Revolution, 1936-1949

Leo Lee, “Literary Trends: The Road to Revolution, 1927-1949”

Th 2/1 Discussion: Film and Readings

WEEK 3

Tu 2/6 Lu Xun, “Preface to Call to Arms,” 3-6;

“A Madman’s Diary,” 7-15

McDougall & Louie, “Towards a New Culture,” 13-30, 82-99

Th 2/8 “A Madman’s Diary” continued

Lu Xun, “Kong Yiji,”16-20

WEEK 4

Tu 2/13 Lu Xun, “Upstairs in a Wineshop,” (CP)

More Explanation on Critical Analysis

Th 2/15 McDougall & Louie, “Yu Dafu,” 105-109

Yu Dafu, “Sinking,” 44-69

WEEK 5

Tu 2/20 McDougall & Louie, “Xu Dishan,” 100-102

Xu Dishan, “The Merchant’s Wife,” 21-34

Th 2/22 McDougall & Louie, “Shen Congwen,” 125-128

Shen Congwen, “Xiaoxiao,” 97-110

WEEK 6

Tu 2/27 Screening: Girl From Hunan

Th 3/1 Screening: Girl From Hunan

Discussion

WEEK 7

Tu 3/6 McDougall & Louie, “Ding Ling,” 130-134

Ding Ling, “Miss Sophia’s Diary” (CP)

Due: 1^st Critical Analysis.

Th 3/8 McDougall & Louie, “Return to Tradition,” 189-207

McDougall & Louie, “Ding Ling,” 212-215

Ding Ling, “When I was in Xia Village,” 143-158

WEEK 8

Tu 3/13 Spring Break

Th 3/15 Spring Break

WEEK 9

Tu 3/20 McDougall & Louie, “Mao Dun,” 109-114, 209-210

Mao Dun, “Spring Silkworms,” 70-88

Explanation of analysis

Th 3/22 McDougall & Louie, “Ling Shuhua,” 121-123;

“Zhang Ailing,” 249-251

Ling Shuhua, “The Night of Midautumn Festival,” 111-119

Zhang Ailing, “Sealed Off,” 188-198

WEEK 10

Tu 3/27 Lu Xun, “The Evolution of the Male Sex,” 598-600

Zhou Zuoren, “Reading on the Toilet,” 611-615

Lin Yutang, “My Turn at Quitting Smoking,” 616-620

Liang Shiqiu, “Haircut,” 643-646

Zhu Ziqing, “Spring,” The Silhouette,” “Moonlit Lotus Pond,” 625-632

Th 3/29

McDougall & Louie, “Poetry,” 31-42; “Xu Zhimo,” 51-54; “Wen Yiduo,” 54-59; Dai Wangshu, 68-69

Xu Zhimo, “Second Farewell,” “Love’s Inspiration,” 503-504

Dai Wangshu, “Rainy Alley,” “Written on a Prison Wall,” 513-514

Wen Yiduo, “Dead Water,” “One Sentence,” 506

Ji Xian, “A Wolf,” 532

Yu Guangzhong, “If There’s a War Raging Afar;” “Nostalgia,” 537-538

WEEK 11

Tu 4/3 Bai Xianyong, “Winter Nights,” 221-234

Chen Yingzhen, “My Kid Brother Kangxiong,” 215-220

Th 4/5 Zhu Xining, “Molten Iron,” 201-214

Wang Zhenhe, “An Oxcart for a Dowry,” 255-274

WEEK 12

Tu 4/10 Li Ang, “Curvaceous Dolls,” 360-370

Xi Xi, “A Woman Like Me,” 315-325

Th 4/12 Yuan Qiongqiong, “Tales of Taipei,” 349-355

Zhu Tianwen, “Find De Siecle Splendor,” 444-467

Zhang Dachun, “Lucky Worries About His Country,” 468-473

WEEK 13

Tu 4/17 McDougall, “The Reassertion of Modernity,” 325-344

McDougall & Louie, “Wang Meng,” 256-257, 379-381

Liu Yichang, “Wrong Number,” 277-279

Wang Meng, “Tales of New Cathay,” 296-300

Qiao Dianyun, “The Black Stele,” 285-295

Th 4/19 McDougall & Louie, “Poetry,” 421-431; Bei Dao, 432-435; Shu

Ting, 435-436; Gu Cheng, 436-438

Bei Dao, “Declaration,” “Resume,” Another Legend,” 569-571 Shu Ting, “When You Walk Past My Window,” “A Roadside

Encounter,” “Assembly Line,’

Gu Cheng, “An Ending,” “Curriculum Vitae,” 580

Anonymous, “Mad Woman,” 582

WEEK 14

Tu 4/24 McDougall & Louie, “Ba Jin,” 128-130, 215-217

Ba Jin, “Remembering Xiao San,” 691-702

Xiao Wenyuan, “A Bizarre Kind of Robbery,” 710-712

Dong Qiao, “Musings on Things Read at Night,” 713-716

Th 4/26 McDougall & Louie, “Fiction,” 368-371, Mo Yan, 415-416

Can Xue, 409-410

Mo Yan, “Autumn Waters,” 429-443

Can Xue, “Hut on the Mountain,”383-386

Due: 2^nd Critical Analysis

WEEK 15

Tu 5/1 McDougall & Louie, ‘Liu Heng,’ 412-414 ; Su Tong, 417-420

Yu Hua, “On the Road at Eighteen,” 485-490

Liu Heng, “Dogshit Food,” 416-428

Su Tong, “Escape,” 491-500

Th 5/3 Last Day of Class