CHIN 563 A: History of Chinese Literature

Winter 2023
View in MyPlan View in Time Schedule
Meeting:
MW 1:30pm - 3:20pm / LOW 102
SLN:
12586
Section Type:
Lecture
Joint Sections:
CHIN 463 A
Instructor:
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

CHIN 463/563 History of Chinese Literature: From the Yuan to Recent Times
CHIN 463: SLN 12581 A&H
CHIN 563: SLN 12586

MW 1:30-3:20, 102 Loew Hall 

Prof. Chris Hamm
jcsong@uw.edu
206-543-4974
Gowen M245

Office hours M 11:30 am-12:30 pm, W 10:30-11:30 am

Asian empire, struggling nation-state, standard-bearer for international revolution, global superpower, far-flung diaspora—as the Chinese nation and Chinese culture have developed over the centuries, literature has served as a guide, a reflection, a challenge, an escape. This course traces Chinese literary history from the Yuan dynasty to the early 21st century, focusing on the development of fiction and literature in the vernacular. The flamboyant Ming romance The Water Margin (水滸傳), Lu Xun’s incisive critique of Chinese society in “Diary of a Madman” (狂人日記), Nobel Prize winner Mo Yan’s hallucinogenic visions of The Republic of Wine (酒国)—we will read selections from these and other works in English translation, and examine their connections with their historical contexts and developing literary traditions.

Recommended for anyone with an interest in Chinese literature, culture, or history. No prerequisites, though previous coursework in literature or any aspect of China studies will enrich your experience in the course. All readings and coursework are in English. Students are required to prepare assigned readings, watch pre-recorded lectures, participate in class discussion, submit weekly written responses, and complete two take-home exams. 

CHIN 463 is taught jointly with CHIN 563. 463 offers optional W credit for a final research paper. 563 requires the final research paper.

The links below will take you to elements of the course syllabus. For daily navigation, I recommend using the Modules page.

Course Objectives

Communication

Course and University Policies

Course Components and Assessment

Participation 20%

Postings 20%

Quizzes 20%

First and Second Take-home Exams (20% each)

Research Paper (Optional for 463, required for 563)

Absences and Late Work

Grading Scale

Texts and Readings

Schedule Summary (PDF)

Slides from Class Meetings

Technology Support and Resources

This syllabus and schedule are subject to modification at the instructor’s discretion. All changes will be announced in class and posted to Canvas.

Catalog Description:
Third in a three-term series of courses on the history of Chinese literature. Covers genres, works, and writers from the Yuan dynasty (13th century) through the twentieth century. While noting the continuation of classical traditions, it focuses on the development of vernacular genres.
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
December 30, 2024 - 8:30 am