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 intends to deepen themes and phases of Chinese culture in its diachronic evolution, focusing on textual production and genre varieties, highlighting links and specific traits in relation to the historical development. Through the guided reading of selected extracts in Chinese starting from the Tang era (618-907) onwards, the main cultural phenomena characterising the imperial era from the 7th century to the crucial events of the twentieth century (the fall of the last dynasty and the beginning of the republican era) will be presented. The course will also address a selection of texts produced after the establishment of the People's Republic of China and during the Cultural Revolution, paying particular attention to the language, the ideology, the historical-political context, and the relevance in the contemporary epoch.

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.

PREREQUISITES

In-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of Italian language equal to a native speaker or at least to CEFR level C1. Knowledge of an additional foreign language is strongly recommended.

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 module consists of lectures, delivered in Italian, on the contents and themes addressed by the compulsory monographs/readings listed in the bibliography, which will be explained and analysed in-depth. Beside the wide range of selected representative texts/works, in Chinese language or in their translated version, the module makes also extensive use of multimedia and interactive materials on contemporary China.

The module contents are the same for both attending and non attending students.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mandatory book of the module with prof. Puppin (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.

+ all additional readings provided in the classroom

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Mandatory book of the module with prof. Pisano

• Pesaro N., Pirazzoli M., La narrativa cinese del Novecento, Roma, Carocci, 2019.

+ one selected book from this list:

AA.VV., Voci da Taiwan, a cura di Rosa Lombardi, Roma, Orientalia, 2022. 

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

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

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

Qiu Maojin, Ultime lettere da Montmartre, Milano, Jaca Book, 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.

Zhu Tianxin, Nostalgia dei miei fratelli dei villaggi militari, Roma, Orientalia, 2023.

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 (President Substitute)

XU HAN (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The module will run on the first semester (prof. Puppin) and on the second semester (prof. Pisano). The calendar will be available to students 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 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

FURTHER INFORMATION

To the students who hold a certification of specific learning disorders, disability or other educational requirements: please send an email to the module convenors 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.