Course Description

       Taught in English, this course assumes no prior knowledge of Chinese or literature of the Chinese-speaking world. The course introduces students to an exciting array of films, fiction, short stories, poems, and dramas from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and fulfills the following requirements: Humanities (GH), International Cultures (IL), Chinese minor, and Bachelor of Arts (BA).

       This course provides an introduction to Chinese cultural production from ancient times to the postmodern era, with an emphasis on literature.  Students will learn about major eras of Chinese literature and the diversity of Chinese cultures in such locations as mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the worldwide Chinese diaspora. Through this course students can develop a historical and cultural perspective in order to understand the contexts and value systems that have inspired literary works.  Students will investigate such topics as the relation between social institutions and the individual, the traditional patriarchal system, the changing roles of women, westernization, and postmodern consumer culture, among others.

Course Goals

       Chinese 120 is designed to be suitable for all students generally interested in the Chinese-speaking world, or interested in literature and other fields of humanistic study, whether or not they have previously studied Chinese culture.  All materials will be available in English.

Required Texts

Note: Combination of Texts May Vary from Year to Year

	Official course website on ANGEL. Password required to access audio & video clips, assignments, and reference works online.
	Resources for the Course on the Penn State Chinese Program website

	The Book of Chuang Tsu
	Sima Qian, The First Emperor
	Pu Songling, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio
	The Monkey and the Monk
	Mo Yan, Shifu You'll Do Anything for a Laugh
	Gao Xingjian, The Case for Literature
	Hitchcock with a Chinese Face (Includes a DVD with scenes from three films from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong: Suzhou River, The Day the Sun Turned Cold, and Good Men, Good Women)

Academic Integrity

        Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, some common types of plagiarism such as cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, or submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor.

        Students who are found to be dishonest will receive academic sanctions and will be reported to the University’s Judicial Affairs office for possible further disciplinary sanctions (Faculty Senate Policy 49-20). Some useful websites are: Common Excuses for Plagiarism, College of Liberal Arts Academic Integrity Resources for Students, Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism, and Statement by the Council of Academic Deans. For more information, see College of Liberal Arts academic integrity resource page.