ASIAN 207 Special Topics in Literature and Culture of Asia / C LIT 272A FILM GENRE
SLN 11449, 11450-11457; 10550, 10551-10558

ASIAN MARTIAL ARTS FILMS
Conventions, Institutional History, and Ideology

How did martial arts grow into a popular genre in fiction and film, and how did the genre become a worldwide craze? How do martial arts movies comment on East Asian and North American cultures? The course examines the formation of literary and cinematic conventions of martial arts films, the history of their production in countries such as China, Hong Kong and Japan, and their ideological background. In addition to offering an introduction to filmic technique and Asian popular media, the course dwells on the importance of visual and bodily perception, gender constructions, and intercultural translation.

THIS PAGE IS STILL BEING MODIFIED.
FOR A FINAL VERSION OF READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS, PLEASE CHECK ON 9/30

>> Class Schedule

Hours:	Mondays and Tuesdays, 1:30 - 2:20 (screenings; exact duration depends on length of film), AND
	Wednesdays 1:30 - 2:50 AND
	Thursdays 1:30 - 2:50 AND
	Fridays - 1-hour sections offered at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30 (TA sections)

Classroom: Kane Hall 210

5 credits; VLPA; NO WRITING CREDIT

	email	sections	office	hours
InstructorS:
Yomi Braester	yomi@u	regular lectures	C-504 Padelford	Th 2:50-3:50 and by appointment
Chris Hamm	jcsong@u	regular lectures	M-235 Gowen	M, Th 11-11:50 and by appointment
TAs:		(section assignments may change - check by 10/2)
Fabrizio Cilento	cilentof@u	AD (FIG) (1:30, EEB 003) and AE (2:30, MGH 251)
Annie Fee	annie3@u	AB (FIG) (10:30, MGH 238) and AH (11:30, SAV 139)
Yizhong Gu	yizhong@u	AC (1:30, EEB 026) and AG (2:30, MGH 231)
Xiqing Zheng	zhxiqing@u	AA (1:30, JHN 022) and AF (2:30, MGH 238)
Donghee Han	dhhan@u

Students are encouraged to let the instructors and TAs know in advance that they intend to meet during office hours.

Grade components:

(1) Quizzes:
- Administered in quiz section every week, with the exception of Week 1 and Week 9 (Thanksgiving) – a total of 9 quizzes. The lowest-graded quiz, or one missed quiz, will be dropped from the final grade.
- Each quiz covers the week that has just ended (for example, the quiz on week 3 covers the material for week 3, including the screenings, assigned reading, and lectures). The quizzes on Weeks 2 and 10 cover also the material of the preceding week.
- The quizzes are in multiple-choice questionnaire format and are graded for accuracy.

(2) Postings:
- Due on the on-line class board at a specified time each week (usually by 9pm on Thursday), including weeks 1 and 9 – a total of 11 postings. Two postings may be missed without penalty.
- The postings respond to specific questions presented by the lecturers (in class and posted on line, linked through the course web page). Each posting should be 180–300 words long.
- The postings will be graded as pass/fail, based on the posting’s relevance to the questions asked.

(3) Participation:
This component assesses your alertness and engagement in quiz sections.

(4) Final project:
FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FINAL PROJECT, CLICK HERE
FOR A LIST OF EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR THE FINAL PROJECT, CLICK HERE
FOR THE PEER EVALUATION FORM, CLICK HERE

(a) Presentation:
- Performed in quiz section, on a time to be determined by the TA, between weeks 7 and 11.
- The presentation will be made collectively by a group of 3-4 students, and will address the following assignment:
Choose two topics from the list of topics covered in the course, which are especially interesting when discussed in association with your assigned film.
Talk about the film in terms of the interaction between these two topics. Make reference to at least another film screened in full in class.
- The presentation should be 10-12 minutes long. It does not have to be accompanied by any technological fireworks. Further advice for those who want to present graphics will be given in class.
- The presentation will be evaluated for cogent presentation, application and synthesis of categories used in the course, and original analysis. All presenters in the same group will be given the same grade for it.
(b) Written report:
- Due in quiz section of week 10, with the exception of reports for presentations made in weeks 10 and 11, due by the following Monday).
- The report will summarize and elaborate on the findings as presented in class. All group students should take part in composing the report (typically, each student will be responsible for one section of the report). The report should be printed in Times Roman font 12pt and double-spaced. It should be 1,800-2,400 words long for a 3-student group and 2,400–3,200 words long for a 4-student group.
- Like the presentation, the report will be evaluated for cogent presentation, application and synthesis of categories used in the course, and original analysis. All authors of the report will be given the same grade for it.
- In addition, each student will submit a confidential statement assessing the relative contribution of his and other members of his group. In case of a large discrepancy, students may be asked for clarifications before the grade is given.

Grade weighting:

- Quizzes      30%
- Postings      30%
- Participation         10%
- Final project
a. Presentation        10%
b. Written report     20%

Policies and Procedures

Swine flu pandemic: If you have fever and are coughing, do not come to class. Email your TA and Yomi or Chris ahead of class meeting time. We will accommodate your needs in ways to be determined according to the circumstances.

Excused absences: Other reasons for excused absence must be documented and explained to your TA at your earliest convenience. When the circumstances allow, you must let your TA know before the date on which you are going to be absent. We will inform you how to catch up in ways to be determined according to the circumstances.

- The course adheres to UW’s rules on plagiarism. Any form of cheating will be reported to the Provost's office.
- Students with disabilities are encouraged to inform the instructor or TA, who will do their best to provide the relevant accommodations.

Required text (available at the UW Bookstore):

Maria T. Pramaggiore and Tom Wallis, Film: A Critical Introduction (P&W), 1st or 2nd edition

Films, on reserve at the Odegaard Media Center:

Jackie Chan, Drunken Master
Wei Lo, The Chinese Connection
Gordon Chan, Fist of Legend
Akira Kurosawa, The Seven Samurai
Zhang Che, Shaolin
Liu Jialiang, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
King Hu, Touch of Zen
Rickly Lau, Mr. Vampire
Ching Siu-tung, Chinese Ghost Story
Kenji Misumi, Lone Wolf and Cub - Baby Cart at the River Styx 
Takeshi Kitano, Zatoichi
Wong Kar Wai, Ashes of Time Redux
Zhang Yimou, Hero
Brothers Wachowski, The Matrix
Steven Chou, Kung Fu Hustle

Class Schedule (SUBJECT TO CHANGE; if you miss a class meeting, check here for updates!)

WEEK 1

Wednesday, 9/30

Introduction: what is genre?; what are martial arts? course outline-films and themes; assignments and course requirements

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

Tuesday, 10/1

Jackie Chan, Drunken Master (1978, 111 mins.) * Questions for WebQ posting assignment 1

Read for today: P&W, An Approach to Film Analysis (1st edition: 7-27; 2nd edition: 10-30)

WEEK 2

Monday, 10/5

Wei Lo, The Chinese Connection (1972, 110 mins.) Questions for WebQ posting assignment 2

Tuesday, 10/6

Gordon Chan, Fist of Legend (1994, 103 mins.) *

Wednesday, 10/7	Bruce Lee's career; realism and formalism in martial arts cinematography; nationalism in The Chinese Connection
	Read for today: P&W, Cinematography (1st edition: 103-133; 2nd edition: 134-163)

Thursday, 10/8

mise-en-scene and symbolism; from martial arts fiction to martial arts films; three different approaches to the same plot

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 3

Monday, 10/12

Akira Kurosawa, The Seven Samurai  (1954, 206 mins.) I Questions for WebQ posting assignment 3

Tuesday,10/13

Akira Kurosawa, The Seven Samurai II

Wednesday, 10/14

Samurai: a historical background; the martial ethics of Bushido; samurai films Read for today: P&W, Mise en Scene (1st edition: 60-85; 2nd edition: 89--119)

Thursday, 10/15	The film director as an auteur; Kurosawa’s appproach to samurai film; mise-en-scene
	FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 4

Monday, 10/19

*Liu Jialiang, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin  (1978, 111 mins.) Questions for WebQ posting assignment 4

Tuesday, 10/20

Zhang Xinyan, The Shaolin Temple (1982, 95 mins.)

Wednesday, 10/21	A history of Shaolin temple; Basic concepts in film genre; Shaolin films as a genre
	Read for today: P&W, Genre (1st edition: 346-365; 2nd edition: 373-395)

Thursday, 10/22

The Hong Kong studio system and Shaw Brothers; key themes: masculinity and revenge

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 5

Monday, 10/26

King Hu, Touch of Zen  (1969, 200 mins.) I Questions for WebQ posting assignment 5

Tuesday, 10/27

King Hu, Touch of Zen II

Wednesday, 10/28	Pu Songling’s Stories of the Strange; kung fu and swordplay; King Hu
	Read for today: P&W, Writing about Film (1st edition: 270-280; 2nd edition: 33-43)

Thursday, 10/29

women warriors; movement in the frame and the moving frame; watching with our bodies

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 6

Monday, 11/2

Ching Siu-tung, Chinese Ghost Story (1987, 98 mins.) Questions for WebQ posting assignment 6

Tuesday, 11/3

Rickly Lau, Mr. Vampire (1985, 96 mins.) *

Wednesday, 11/4

Demonology and cosmology; earlier adaptations; editing

Read for today: P&W, Editing (1st edition: 162-194; 2nd edition: 191-224)

Thursday, 11/5

Special effects; Tsui Hark and the Hong Kong New Wave

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 7

Monday, 11/9

Wong Kar Wai, Ashes of Time Redux  (1994, re-edited 2008, 94 mins.) Questions for WebQ posting assignment 7

Tuesday, 11/10

reappropriated memories; Jin Yong; film outline; cinematic plots

Read for today: P&W, Narrative Form (1st edition: 38-51; 2nd edition: 68-83)

Wednesday, 11/11

VETERANS DAY - NO CLASS

Thursday, 11/12

The reception of martial arts films among culturally-informed audiences; Jin Yong on TV and the silver screen; Wong Kar Wai and Hong Kong's culture of disappearance

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 8

Monday, 11/16

Takeshi Kitano, Zatoichi  (2003, 116 mins.) Questions for WebQ posting assignment 8

Tuesday, 11/17

Kenji Misumi, Lone Wolf and Cub - Baby Cart at the River Styx (1972, 81 mins.) *

Wednesday, 11/18	Sound; Samurai film after Kurosawa
	Read for today: P&W, Sound (1st edition:208-237; 2nd edition: 241-271)

Thursday, 11/19

The Zatoichi subgenre; Takeshi Kitano; blindness and insight; the ethics of violence

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 9

Monday, 11/23

Zhang Yimou, Hero  (2001, 118 mins.) Questions for WebQ posting assignment 9

Tuesday, 11/24	Records of the Historian; Chinese state ideology; earlier cinematic versions; nationalistic interpretations of Hero
	Read for today: P&W, Film Authorship (1st edition: 366-375; 2nd edition: 397-407)

Wednesday, 11/25

Zhang Yimou, structure and acting; the international careers of Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee

Thursday, 11/26

THANKSGIVING - NO CLASS; NO QUIZ SECTION ON FRIDAY

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 10

Monday, 11/30

Brothers Wachowski, The Matrix (1999, 136 mins.) I Questions for WebQ posting assignment 10

Tuesday, 12/1

Brothers Wachowski, The Matrix (1999, 136 mins.) II

Wednesday, 12/2	Have martial arts been bastardized?: tradition and innovation; martial arts in the digital age; martial arts in Hollywood; Quentin Tarantino
	Read for today: P&W, Cinema as Industry (1st edition: 383-396; 2nd edition: 416-430)

Thursday, 12/3

Sci-fi and the critique of modernity; sci-fi and martial arts; animation; Hollywood as a global empire; Orientalism in Hollywood

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 11

Monday, 12/7

NO CLASS

Tuesday, 12/8

Steven Chou, Kung Fu Hustle   (2004, 95 mins.) Questions for WebQ posting assignment 11

Wednesday, 12/9

Comedy and parody and genre; masters of comedy: Jackie Chan and Steven Chow

Thursday, 12/10

Martial arts in a commercial world

Read for today: P&W, Special Visual Effects and Digital Cinema and Cinematography (1st edition: 142-152; 2nd edition: 173-183)

	FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURE OUTLINE, CLICK HERE
*	asterisked films will not be discussed in detail in class, but will be at the focus of quiz sections and the final project