30050 - Chinese Literature 1 (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

The student possesses in-depth knowledge of the history of modern Chinese literature, with particular attention to the relationship between literary texts and the historical, artistic, and linguistic context. They know and can use practical methodologies for the analysis and interpretation of the literary text.

Course contents

LITERATURE AS SOCIO-CULTURAL ACTIVITY IN CHINA

Literature and society have never been entirely distinct fields, even though today the literary realm is often presented as a specialized and therefore separate sector. Literature, like all forms of cultural production, can serve as a tool for engaging with society by developing critical perspectives, fostering community, shedding light on otherwise overlooked sociocultural contexts, and more.

Starting from this premise, the course approaches Chinese literature as a sociocultural practice through the following core questions: Can literary creation intervene in the social fabric, transforming the lives of those who produce or engage with it? What ecology of actors, beyond the authors themselves, participates in literary creation and shapes its impact? What does it mean to be “inside” or “outside” the “system” (体制内外) in China? What possibilities and limitations exist within the online space?

To this end, the course focuses on a selection of case studies from the most recent period (2010s and 2020s), with the aim of equipping students with the theoretical and methodological tools to carry out similar analyses independently.

 

COURSE PROGRAMME

• Introduction to the sociology of literature and materialist literary criticism

• [Case Study 1] Production, reception, and circulation of grassroots women writers: Yu Xiuhua 余秀华 and Fan Yusu 范雨素

• [Case Study 2] Literary activity, community building, and negotiation with power: the Picun literary group (Beijing)

• [Case Study 3] Writing as an archive of independent memory: hechaji 喝茶记 (“tea records”)

• [Case Study 4] Writing about social issues between critique and assimilation today: delivery worker writers (快递员 / 外卖员)

A more detailed syllabus will be uploaded to the Virtuale platform shortly before the start of classes.

Readings/Bibliography

Please refer to the Italian-language page for a full list of readings.

Teaching methods

Seminar-style lessons, with active student participation. Students are required to read and prepare primary sources and/or critical texts before each week and to consistently contribute to the class discussion.

The primary sources will mostly be in Chinese, but knowledge of the language is not required for satisfactory participation in the course.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

The exam is based on the discussion of the term paper (approx. 5,000–6,000 words, excluding notes and bibliography). The paper must analyze either a literary text or a phenomenon involving the interaction between culture (visual arts, cinema, literature, music, serial narratives, etc.) and society. The topic should be independently selected and investigated by the student, based on a critically discussed corpus of primary and/or secondary sources. Further details will be provided during class, and the instructor is available for any clarifications.

The topic must be approved by the instructor at least two months prior to the chosen exam date. The final paper must be submitted no later than seven working days before the exam date (i.e., by the Almaesami registration deadline).

The paper may be replaced by participation in the Summer School “Poetry as a Socio-Cultural Activity in the Global Asian and MENA Contexts” currently in preparation. Further details will be provided in the second semester, once the Summer School is officially activated. In any case, those interested in participating are required to contact the instructor to agree on the conditions of substitution.

Attending students must submit, at the end of each case study, a short paper (2–3 pages) commenting on the critical essays and literary texts analyzed in class. These short papers will account for 40% of the final grade.

Non-attending students, instead, will answer three specific questions to demonstrate their knowledge of the critical readings listed in the updated bibliography. These questions will also account for 40% of the final grade.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Federico Picerni