Course teached as: B004688 - LETTERATURA CINESE 1 (12 CFU) 3-years First Cycle Degree (DM 270/04) in LANGUAGES, LITERATURES AND INTERCULTURAL STUDIES Curriculum STUDI LINGUISTICI, LETTERARI E INTERCULTURALI
Teaching Language
the course is taught in Italian and Chinese
Course Content
The course will focus on the major authors, periods and genres in the literary culture in Chinese (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong) in their historical contexts. Relevant analytical and interpretative strategies are introduced to enable students to develop clear critical thinking and an understanding of a wide range of literary writings from the Opium Wars to the contemporary age. Some of the texts will be read and analyzed in the original version.
Reference texts:
Giuliano Bertuccioli (2013), La letteratura cinese, L'Asino d'oro edizioni, Capitolo 8, pp. 323-412.
Wylt Idema; Lloyd Haft (2000), Letteratura cinese, Cafoscarina, Parte V e VI, pp. 275-348.
Federico Masini (2010), "La riforma della lingua", in: La Cina. Verso la modernità, a cura di G. Samarani e M. Scarpari, Einaudi, pp. 621-662.
Nicoletta Pesaro, (2010), “Letteratura cinese moderna e contemporanea”, in: La Cina. Verso la modernità, a cura di G. Samarani e M. Scarpari, Einaudi, pp. 693-745.
Corrado Neri (2010), "Cinema",in: La Cina. Verso la modernità, a cura di G. Samarani e M. Scarpari, Einaudi, pp. 747-762.
Pedone, V.; Zuccheri, S. (2015). Letteratura cinese contemporanea: Correnti, autori e testi dal 1949 a oggi. Milano: U. Hoepli.
(some of the texts are available on Moodle)
Reading list
One reading to be chosen from the following list (modern literature):
Lu Xun, Diario di un pazzo
Lu Xun, La vera storia di Ah Q
Lu Xun, Fuga sulla luna
Guo Moruo, Le Dee
Yu Dafu, Naufragio
Qian Zhongshu, Uomini, bestie, demoni
One reading to be chosen from the following list (modern literature):
Mo Yan, Sorgo rosso
Chang Jung, Cigni selvatici: Tre figlie della Cina
Yu Hua, Vivere
Su Tong, Spiriti senza pace
Su Tong, Lanterne rosse
Acheng, Il re degli scacchi
Dai Sijie, Balzac e la piccola sarta cinese
Wang Shuo, Scherzando col fuoco
(most of the readings are available in the university library)
Learning Objectives
The course (72 hours) will focus on the study of XIX and XX-century literature in the Chinese language. Aims of the course:
a. to increase awareness of the changes occurred in the Chinese language and society between the XIX and XX centuries;
b. to introduce students to different literary genres;
c.to familiarize students with the critical instruments required for the analysis of literary texts;
d. to enable students to develop a critical consciousness and an awareness of critical theory and culture theory through detailed analyses of some the most representative works of literature in the Chinese language from the XIX century to the XX century.
1. Knowledge and understanding: Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding in historical and cultural contexts of XIX- and XX- century Chinese literature and will acquire the critical tools to cope with the formal and substantive components of the literary texts analyzed during the lessons.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: Students will learn how to apply processes, models, questions, and theories that result in enhanced clarity in the comprehension of literary texts included in the program, which will be appreciated in both their formal and their contextual features.
3. Making judgments: Students will develop the ability to discuss the literary questions considered during the course, proposing critical perspectives and well-grounded judgments on the texts included in the program.
4. Communication skills: Students will develop the ability to can communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions, with particular reference to themes and questions considered during the lessons.
5. Learning skills: Students will acquire the methodological tools needed to read, analyze and understand literary texts in their generic structures.
Prerequisites
A good understanding of the Italian language (B2) and a first level of the Chinese language (HSK2 or CEFR’s A2) is required.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and seminars.
Further information
The course takes place in the first and in the second semester. Further information will be given at the beginning of the course.
Type of Assessment
Written exam (closed-ended and open questions). The exam will test students’ knowledge of:
1. The history of Chinese literature and culture from the Opium Wars to the contemporary age.
2. Specific issues and themes in XIX- and XX century Chinese literature;
3. The key texts and critical literature included in the reading list.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and critically evaluate the key texts included in the reading list, and to place them within their historical and cultural contexts.
Successful candidates will be required to demonstrate adequate knowledge in at least two-thirds of the questions proposed in the written text.
The exam aims to assess:
- The knowledge of key concepts in the history of Chinese literature from the XIX to XX century.
- The ability to describe and place literary phenomena within their contexts of production and reception;
- The ability of close reading and appreciation of all the texts included in the reading list as well as a thorough command of methodological and theoretical tools;
- The ability to use formal and critical terminology;
Students will demonstrate that they can discuss the subjects treated during the course, make appropriate connections between different authors and works, and express themselves clearly.
Grades are given on the basis of 30 points. Points are awarded if students are able to
1) describe the forms and contents of the texts studied,
2) understand, summarize and propose critical readings of those texts,
3) elaborate personal judgments that are solidly grounded in the text and/or secondary literature,
4) use appropriate terms.
Nos. 1 and 4 are essential in order to obtain the minimum passing grade (18/30); higher evaluations depend on to what extent’ students have developed their skills in all four points listed above.
Course program
The program aims to provide students with a deep and wide view of the literary phenomena and the main literary currents that have characterized Chinese literature since 1839 (First Opium War) up to the contemporary age. In addition to presenting the problems related to the language, the collapse of the empire and the birth of modern China, the course will provide historical and cultural notions. Specific topics of China's modern and contemporary literary discourse will be discussed in class, such as the relationship and rewriting of history; social and family changes; the birth of feminism and the representation of women; the literary revolution; the collapse of the Empire; the introduction of themes and genres specific to Western literature; realism; nationalism; the literature of the People's Republic; the Cultural Revolution; the figure of the writer; the relationship between cinema and literature.