Time Schedule:
Jie Wu
CHIN 373
Seattle Campus
Introduction to Chinese poetry. A study of its origins, forms, major themes, and relevant conventions. All readings in English. No knowledge of Chinese required. Offered: W.
Class description
This course on Chinese poetry, mainly of pre-modern times, provides an introduction to its forms, major themes, and relevant conventions, with a focus on the sentiments and emotions of human beings. The sentiments of sorrow, joy, sympathy, frustration and pride are everlasting despite changes of time and space, and these sentiments are the original impetus behind poetry. How are these sentiments addressed in Chinese poetry? Through the study of selected texts in English translation, students will be introduced to some of the key poets and representative works in their historical and cultural context, as well as approaches to understanding and appreciating Chinese poetry.
Winter 2008 Class Schedule (tentative)
Week 1 Introduction
January 7 Course orientation. Chinese poetry: major forms, rhyme, and prosodic rules January 9 Survey of Chinese literary history: dynasties, maps, and literary genres January 11 Chinese poetry: themes, conventions, and images. Traditional literary criticism
Week 2 The Passion and Sorrow of Love
January 14 Worries and tragedies due to conflicts between human desire and cultural traditions January 16 The hidden and the manifest: secret meetings and the till-death-do-us-part declaration January 18 Bittersweet memories --- separated lovers
Week 3 Affection and Tension among Family and Friends
January 21 MLK Day. No class January 23 Family: In the imperial house and in the commonersf huts January 25 Friends: one's own flesh and blood
Week 4 Portraits of Women
January 28 The laments of the palace ladies January 30 Deserted /neglected wives February 1 Three outspoken heroines in early Medieval ballads and Yuan dramas
Week 5 Portraits of Women (Continued)
February 4 gWho says that women are inferior to men?h February 6 Poems on Wang Zhaojun: legend and later variations February 8 Inaccessible beauty or benighted ruler?
Week 6 The Restless Literati
February 11 Scholar-officials: the frustrated and the overjoyed February 13 Optimists and eccentrics February 15 The seemingly happy recluses in the disguise of farmers and fishermen
Week7 Ale and Wine: The Spirit of the Chinese Poets
February 18 Presidents Day. No class February 20 Three early exemplary drinkers: Liu Ling, Tao Qian and Wang Ji February 22 Li Bo and later followers
Week 8 Homesickness and Devotion of the Expatriates and Patriots
February 25 A rootless orchid: remembrance and regrets February 27 The staunch patriots February 29 The quiet thinkers
Week 9 The Transient and the Permanent: Nature, History and Human Beings
March 3 When facing old age and death: fear and carpe diem March 5 Contemplation of the past: humankind and nature. The moon that used to shine on the ancients March 7 Class presentation.
Week 10 Court Poetry: from the Han to the Tang
March 10 The Han grand fu (a.k.a. rhymed prose or grhapsodyh) March 12 Palace style: poetry of decadence and eroticism? March 14 Class presentation. Conclusion
Student learning goals
Identify key poets and their representative poems
Know the basic themes as well as the conventions related to them in Chinese poetry
Be able to interpret and appreciate Chinese poetry in historical and cultural context
General method of instruction
Lecture, discussion
Recommended preparation
All readings are in English, and the original Chinese text will occasionally be provided. No prior knowledge of Chinese is required, although students are expected to master Chinese terminology and names in pinyin transliteration.
Class assignments and grading
Reading assignments: All assigned readings (see class schedule) must be completed before class meets. Students need to bring the texts to class on the days on which they will be discussed, and will be called upon to summarize the reading or answer questions based upon the readings.
Two written reports: 3-5 pages long; each elaborates on one of your favorite Chinese poets and his/her works, or on a poetic theme.
Attendance, participation and preparation (20%). 3 Quizzes (about 5 minutes each time, 5% x 3 = 15%) Take-home midterm (15%) Written report (15% X 2 = 30%) Final (20%)
