Chinese Studies

Beschreiben Sie kurz und prägnant, worum es in diesem Kurs geht.

Beschreiben Sie kurz und prägnant, worum es in diesem Kurs geht.

Beschreiben Sie kurz und prägnant, worum es in diesem Kurs geht.

Beschreiben Sie kurz und prägnant, worum es in diesem Kurs geht.

Beschreiben Sie kurz und prägnant, worum es in diesem Kurs geht.

This is an introductory course to the society and culture of late imperial China, mainly the Qing dynasty during the ‘long’ 18th century. Taking everyday life as a guiding perspective, it looks into a broad and varied array of topics, with a particular focus on aspects of social ethics, government and administration, and education. It covers a variety of social groups and settings, from the imperial palace down to the city and to the village. For each topic we read a different type of source. All primary sources are also available in translation. Participants will give presentations on contexts and analytical approaches in the 2h seminar sessions (Mon 10-12). Exemplary reading of excerpts from primary sources will be done in the 1h sessions (Wed 9-10). The syllabus includes guidance to additional reading and analysis.

This course offers an introduction to the philology (textual science) of one major genre and body of texts of Chinese literature – the classical tale of the Tang dynasty (617-907). Besides providing a general overview of this literary form – its origins, language, rhetoric, structure, etc. – the course seeks to cover ten different individual texts of various lengths. These tales, though usually told from a male perspective, have in common that they all feature female heroes of various kinds. They encompass themes of the “supernatural” (dragon deity, fox spirit), love dramas (with courtesans), as well as vengeance and “knight-errantry”. The processes of collecting, editing and transmitting through which these texts have come down to us, will also be of great interest to us. The analytical discussion will take place in the seminar sessions (Tue 16-18), with each participant presenting on one topic/theme and/or one text. The textual study will be accompanied by an in-depth reading of excerpts. All texts are also available in English translation.
This course is primarily designed for CS students in the HI track, but can also be chosen by students in other MA programs (CPS, CBE) as an elective.

Beschreiben Sie kurz und prägnant, worum es in diesem Kurs geht.