OVERVIEW

The module aims at providing the students with the key notions related to the evolution of contemporary Chinese culture, as well as Chinese literature from the '40s to the XXI century, through an in-depth analysis of the most significant cultural, mediatic and literary events, also through the reading of selected texts of various kinds and novels.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at presenting an in-depth examination of different themes and phases of Chinese culture and literature in their diachronic evolution. Particular attention will be dedicated to cultural phenomena and events on a global scale that characterised contemporary China and marked the emergence and recognition of the People’s Republic of China as a global power. In addition, the literary production in vernacular Chinese (baihua) that characterises “the new literature” will be examined in detail for the pre-1949 period, with a focus on the most significant moments in the historical-cultural and literary debate through the analysis of illustrative and representative texts.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module, students will: 

1) be familiar with the cultural and geo-linguistic space of contemporary China, highlighting the main peculiarities that emerged from the analysis of primary and secondary sources, and identifying the core elements of the Chinese civilization in a global context;

2) be able to read the selected texts/works presented in class, and to explain the contents also thanks to an adequate contextualization;

3) demonstrate their acquisition of the methodological tools needed for the analysis of the most recent stages of the Chinese civilization, their ability to explain the complex relationship between tradition and modernity, highlighting the crucial issues that characterise contemporary Chinese society;

4) master the use of an appropriate scientific lexicon to express their ideas and critical reflections in a persuasive and effective way.

5) develop a functional and adaptive learning model for the evaluation of the complex cultural, mediatic and literary events of contemporary China.

TEACHING METHODS

Face-to-face lectures. Students will also be asked to carry out guided independent activities, like reading and watching audiovisual materials (the latter will be suggested by the module convenors).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Part of the module with prof. Puppin

Mandatory books (one from the following):

Latham K. Pop Culture China! Media, Arts, and Lifestyle, Santa Barbara (CA), ABC-Clio, 2007.

Schneider, F. Staging China: The Politics of Mass Spectacle, Leiden, Leiden University Press, 2019.

Wang, J. High Culture Fever: Politics, Aesthetics and Ideology in Deng's China, Berkeley (CA), University of California Press, 1996.

Zha, J. China Pop! How Soap Operas, Tabloids and Bestsellers Are Transforming a Culture, New York, The New Press, 1996.

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Part of the module with prof. Pisano

Mandatory manual

Pesaro N., Pirazzoli M., La narrativa cinese del Novecento, Roma, Carocci, 2019 (Parte seconda: L'era contemporanea, capp. 6-10).

One novel from the following list:

Bi Feiyu, I maestri di Tuina, Palermo, Sellerio, 2012.

Han Han, Le tre porte, Milano, Metropoli d’Asia, 2016.

Liu Heng, La vita felice del ciarliero Zhang Daming, Roma, Atmosphere Libri, 2018.

LIu Zhenyun, Divorzio alla cinese, Milano, Bompiani, 2016.

Wang Anyi, La canzone dell’eterno rimpianto, Torino, Einaudi, 2011.

Wang Zhenhe, Rosa rosa amore mio, Roma, Orientalia, 2014.

Wu Ming-yi, Montagne e nuvole negli occhi, Roma, Edizioni e/o, 2021.

Ye Zhaoyan, La storia del giuggiolo, Roma, Atmosphere Libri, 2021.

Additional titles/articles will be provided during the module.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The module will run on the first semester (prof. Puppin) and on the second semester (prof. Pisano). Lectures will be held online on the platform Teams.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral interview in Italian. The students will show their ability to relate the various topics covered in the course. During the exam (with open questions, relating to the whole program including the compulsory books and the selected texts introduced during lessons), the quality of the presentation, the correct use of the lexicon (in particular while clarifying texts of philosophical content), the critical competence will all be carefully assessed.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The students will have to demonstrate the assimilation of the main topics, to have acquired the basic knowledge of the course contents, to be able to elaborate a short speech on one or more topics, related to the compulsory monographs and/or with the selected texts introduced during the course, placing them in the Chinese and Asian historical and cultural contexts. Attendance and active participation during the lessons will facilitate the examination process.

Exam schedule