OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide the student with general skills related to the history of Chinese culture and literature from the Tang dynasty (618-907) up to the twentieth century, highlighting the developments of literary production in the classical language up to the end of the imperial era and introducing the main cultural and literary phenomena of the 20th century. The course will also address the main events that followed the fall of the empire and which led to the establishment of the Republic and, on October 1, 1949, the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), focusing on the production and reception of cultural products. and their influence also on contemporary China.

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

Frontal teaching in person. 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).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program consists of lectures, delivered in Italian, about the contents of both the mandatory monographs and the texts listed in the bibliography focusing on the past and present reception of some elements of traditional Chinese culture and the revolutionary age in the 20th century. Several reference works will also be introduced in their original language and translation, as well as multimedia and interactive materials referring to the different historical periods that will be addressed, in particular the Tang dynasty, the Five Dynasties, the Song dynasty, the Yuan dynasty, the dynasties Ming and Qing and first phase of the modern era.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mandatory books of the module with prof. Puppin

• Lavagnino, Alessandra e Bettina Mottura, Cina e modernità: cultura e istituzioni dalle Guerre dell’Oppio a oggi, Roma, Carocci, 2016.
• Stafutti, Stefania and Gianmaria Ajani, Colpirne uno per educarne cento. Slogan e parole d'ordine per capire la Cina, Torino, Einaudi, 2008.

Mandatory books of the module with prof. Pisano

• Bertuccioli G., La letteratura cinese, Roma, L’Asino d’oro, 2013 (capp. IV-VIII).
• Pesaro N., Pirazzoli M., La narrativa cinese del Novecento, Roma, Carocci, 2019 (Parte prima).

Additional titles/articles will be provided during both modules and made available on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIOVANNA PUPPIN (President)

LUCA PISANO

XIAODANYANG ZHANG (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course runs on both semesters, starting from October 2022. The schedule will be available in Septenber and retrieved on Easyacademy.

Class schedule

CHINESE LITERATURE AND CULTURE II

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 both the mandatory books and the additional readings introduced during class lectures), 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 mandatory monographs and/or to 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

FURTHER INFORMATION

To the students who hold a certification of specific learning disorders, disability or other educational requirements: please send an email to Prof. Puppin at the beginning of the course, in order to discuss beforehand the best teaching and exam methods that, in alignment with the intended learning objectives, will take into account your specific needs and will provide suitable compensatory tools.