158-242/342 Classical Chinese Literature

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Subject Description:

An introductory survey of pre-modern Chinese literature from earliest times to the beginning of the twentieth century. Major works of poetry, fiction, literary criticism, biography and drama will be examined. Attention will be paid to the social and cultural context as well as the formal and expressive qualities of the works studied. Students who complete this subject will gain a general understanding of the development of the Chinese literary tradition and development of major genres and themes, and a closer acquaintance with a number of specific works chosen from different periods.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

See Chinese Course and Subject Guide.

• Charles O Hucker, China's Imperial Past, Stanford University Press.
• Greg Whincup, The Heart of Chinese Poetry
• Li Yu/(trans) Patrick Hannan, The Carnal Prayer Mat, University of Hawaii Press, 1995.
• David Hawkes, A Little Primer of Tu Fu, Renditions, Hong Kong.