Course Overview
How can literature and literary analysis allow us to understand the dynamics of contemporary China? China’s historical and cultural transformations, and its imaginary and actual engagements in everyday life are vividly dramatized by five Chinese authors featured in this course. Taught by Harvard faculty member Professor David Wang, this course will employ the tools of close reading, discussion, and analysis to explore issues that concern the Chinese people, and ponder the power (and limitations) of literature in imagining China anew.
Featured Books and Authors
- China in 10 Words by Yu Hua (ISBN: 978-0-307-73979-7)
- Red Sorghum: A Novel of China by Mo Yan (ISBN: 978-0-14-016854-9)
- Lenin's Kisses by Yan Lianke (ISBN: 978-0-8021-2177-6)
- Waiting by Ha Jin (ISBN: 978-0-375-70641-7)
- The Song of Everlasting Sorrow by Wang Anyi (ISBN: 978-0231143431)
Learning Objectives
- Survey the transformation of contemporary Chinese literature through direct engagement with five books and author interviews
- Explore contemporary China from a range of perspectives including politics, ethics, culture, and gender
- Understand how literature (particularly in the context of China) can become a source of political intervention and articulate tensions between authoritarianism and individual freedom.
- Develop your own approaches to modern literature, culture, and history via close reading, critical discussion, and analysis
- Express ideas more clearly and confidently through the study of primary and secondary sources
Course Outline and Structure
This course contain six sections in total - each section contains multiple videos and supplementary materials about each of the books featured in the course. Additionally, you will find opportunities for close reading and discussion in each section of this course.
Unit 1: Introduction to Contemporary Chinese Literature and Post-Capitalist China
- Introduction to Yu Hua and China in Ten Words
- Close Reading and Annotation Activity
- Book Discussion
- Wrap - Up
Unit 2: Introduction to Chinese Native Soil Literature
- Introduction to Mo Yan and Red Sorghum
- Close Reading and Annotation Activity
- Book Discussion
- Wrap - Up
Unit 3: Introduction to Post-Socialist China
- Introduction to Yan Lianke and Lenin’s Kisses
- Close Reading and Annotation Activity
- Book Discussion
- Wrap - Up
Unit 4: Introduction to Chinese Literature in Diaspora
- Introduction to Ha Jin and Waiting
- Close Reading and Annotation Activity
- Book Discussion
- Wrap - Up
Unit 5: Introduction to Women's Voice in Chinese Literature
- Introduction to Wang Anyi and Song of Everlasting Sorrow
- Close Reading and Annotation Activity
- Book Discussion
- Wrap - Up
Course Conclusion
- Conclusion to the ChinaX Book Club
- Final Discussion due
Grading, Progress and Performance
This course assumes substantial and informed student participation. At a minimum, being informed requires completion of assigned readings, videos. Performance in the course will be evaluated based on the following:
- Pre-reading Material (10%)
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Unit 1: Introduction to Contemporary Chinese Literature and Post-Capitalist China (15%)
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Unit 2: Introduction to Chinese Native Soil Literature (15%)
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Unit 3: Introduction to Post-Socialist China (15%)
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Unit 4: Introduction to Chinese Literature in Diaspora (15%)
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Unit 5: Introduction to Women's Voice in Chinese Literature (15%)
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Course Conclusion (15%)
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