The tumultuous social and political changes of China in this century have been inseparable from equally dramatic developments in literature. Writers and intellectuals grappling with their own roles in these events have raised in their work searching questions about the role of writers and literature in building a nation and reshaping society. Through selections of twentieth-century Chinese fiction, prose, and film, we will explore the questions that writers were asking themselves. How do writers cast their mission? Can writing change the world? How does literature "reflect" society, and how does it affect it? As we consider these questions, we will also be reading each work closely to explore and develop various approaches and methods of literary and cultural analysis. Format: primarily discussion, with some informal lecture. Evaluation will be based upon class participation, a few short writing assignments, and a final paper. No prerequisites. All readings and class sessions will be in English, but students with sufficient Chinese ability will be encouraged to do some of the readings in Chinese.