The goal of this course is to provide students with basic knowledge about Chinese literature and to help students understand Chinese literature in its historical setting. Covering both classical and modern Chinese literature, this course emphasizes four major genres: poetry, prose, drama, and fiction. Framed within a historical survey of the development of Chinese literature, this course focuses on an analytical and interpretive reading of the major works in English translation, which represent the main achievements of each genre. This course also introduces students to a critical scheme for literature discussion, i.e., how to read literary works at formal, rhetorical, aesthetic, and conceptual levels. Requirements: no exams, one short paper (5-7 pages), one longer paper (15 pages), and one presentation (with paper or notes). Participation of class discussions is taken into account. Format: lecture/discussion. No enrollment limit (expected: 15). Preference given to Asian Studies, Chinese and Japanese majors.

Hour: DUAN