LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at examining in depth themes and periods of 20th-century Chinese culture, paying particular attention to a selection of particularly 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.