ASIAN 207 Special Topics in Literature and Culture of Asia / C LIT 272A FILM GENRE
SLN 10502 + 10503-10512 / 11590 + 11591-11600

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.

WEEK 8: from now on, the weekly assignments will be found on GoPost
10/27 FINAL ASSIGNMENT POSTED

>> Class Schedule

Messages to the entire class may be sent to asian207a_au11@uw.edu, using your UW ID ONLY

click here for streaming media

for CATALYST tools, including DropBox, SharedSpaces, WebQ, and grade book, click here

video recordings of classes

Hours:	Mondays and Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:20 (typically screenings; exact duration depends on length of film), AND
	Wednesdays 1:30 - 2:50 (typically lecture) AND
	Thursdays 1:30 - 2:50 (typically lecture) 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	WED 2:50-3:50 and by appointment
Chris Hamm	jcsong@u	regular lectures	M-235 Gowen	MON WED 11-12 and by appointment
TAs:		(section assignments may change - check by 10/2)
Kathy Morrow	kjmorrow@u	AH F 12:30-1:20 SAV 162 SLN 10510 / 11598 + AJ F 1:30-2:20 DEN 205 SLN 10512 / 11600	C-502 Padelford	TUE 3:30-4:30 FRI 10:30-11:30
Russel Black	rcblack@u	AB F 9:30-10:20 SAV 136 SLN 10504 / 11592 + AD F 10:30-11:20 SAV 136 SLN 10506 / 11594	B-205 Padelford	WED 10:30-12
Yizhong Gu	yizhong@u	AF F 11:30-12:20 THO 231 SLN 10505 / 11593 + AI F 1:30-2:20 SAV 162 SLN 10511 / 11599	B-205 Padelford	THU 10-12
Xiqing Zheng|	zhxiqing@u	AA F 9:30-10:20 DEN 212 SLN 10503 / 11591 + AC F 10:30-11:20 THO 231 SLN 10505 / 11593	C-502 Padelford	THU 10:30-12:30
Donghee Han	dhhan@u	AE F 11:30-12:20 SAV 136 SLN 10507 / 11595 + AG F 12:30-1:20 DEN 311 SLN 11597 / 10509	B-205 Padelford	TUE 3:30-5:30

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

Grade components:

(1) 8 weekly quizzes:
- Administered in quiz section every week, with the exception of Week 1, Week 7 (Veterans Day) and Week 9 (Thanksgiving). The lowest score (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, 8, and 10 will cover also the respective previous week.
- The quizzes are in multiple-choice format and are graded for accuracy.

(2) 11 weekly postings:
- Postings for weeks 1-7:
- Due each week (including weeks 7and 9, a total of 11 postings) at specified times (usually 8 pm on Thursday),
submitted in response to to questions posted by the instructors, on the discussion board on CANVASS .
        The lowest score (or one missed posting) will be dropped from the final grade.
Each response should be about 250 words long.
        Students are strongly encouraged to view their classmates' responses.
        The review should explain both the strengths and weaknesses of the original response and refer to at least one other student’s response.
- Postings for weeks 8-11:
    ~ Each presenting group will post on GoPost questions about its presentation by 5 pm on the day of presentation.
By the deadline (by 7pm pm on Sunday),
each student will post a response to the questions of one presenting group (200-300 words).
- The posting for each week will be graded as 0 (failure to submit), 4/5 (pass), or 5/5 (high pass).

(3) Final project

(a) Presentation:
- Performed in quiz section, on a time to be determined by the TA, between weeks 8 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 8-10 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.
- By 5pm on the day of the presentation, the group will post specific questions about the presentation for their section peers.
- 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 dates: groups presenting in Week 8 — 12/5; groups presenting in Weeks 10 and 11 — 12/12
- 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 2,400-3,200 words long for a 3-student group and 3,200–4,200 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 (7)     30%
- Postings (10)        30%
- Final project
a. Presentation        10%
b. Written report     20%
- Participation      10%

CHANGES TO SCHEDULE OR ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED USING UW EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK YOUR UW EMAIL DAILY!

Policies and Procedures

Excused absences: Participation in sports events and illness must be documented and explained to your TA at the earliest possible date. We will inform you how to catch up in ways to be determined according to the circumstances. Minor reasons for absence will not excuse failure to submit assignments (note that two quizzes and two responses may be missed in any case).

- The course adheres to UW’s rules on plagiarism. Any form of cheating will be reported to the Provost's office.

- No use of wi-fi devices is allowed during lectures and quiz sections.

- 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, 2nd or 3rd 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 Xinyan, 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
Jeffrey Lau, Eagle-Shooting Heroes
Zhang Yimou, Hero
Brothers Wachowski, The Matrix
Steven Chou, Kung Fu Hustle

Class Schedule (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

>> assignment calendar

WEEK 1

Wednesday, 9/28

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

Thursday, 9/29

Jackie Chan, Drunken Master (1978, 111 mins.) * Canvass link for posting #1

Read for today: P&W, An Approach to Film Analysis (1st edition: 7-27; 2nd edition: 10-30; 3rd edition: 9-36)

WEEK 2

Monday, 10/3

Wei Lo, The Chinese Connection (1972, 110 mins.) Canvass link for posting #2

Tuesday, 10/4

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

Wednesday, 10/5	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; 3rd edition: 129-71)

Thursday, 10/6

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, 10/10

Akira Kurosawa, The Seven Samurai  (1954, 206 mins.) I Catalyst link for posting #3

Tuesday,10/11

Akira Kurosawa, The Seven Samurai II

Wednesday, 10/12

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; 3rd edition: 91-128)

Thursday, 10/13	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, 10/17

*Liu Jialiang, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin  (1978, 111 mins.) Canvass link for posting #4

Tuesday, 10/18

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

Wednesday, 10/19	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; 3rd edition: 381-406)

Thursday, 10/20

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

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 5

Monday, 10/24

King Hu, Touch of Zen  (1969, 200 mins.) I Canvass link for posting #5

Tuesday, 10/25

King Hu, Touch of Zen II

Wednesday, 10/26	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; 3rd edition: 37-47)

Thursday, 10/27

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, 10/31

Ching Siu-tung, Chinese Ghost Story (1987, 98 mins.) Canvass link for posting #6

Tuesday, 11/1

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

Wednesday, 11/2

Demonology and cosmology; earlier adaptations; editing

Read for today: P&W, Editing (1st edition: 162-194; 2nd edition: 191-224; 3rd edition: 191-226)

Thursday, 11/3

Special effects; Tsui Hark and the Hong Kong New Wave

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 7

Monday, 11/7

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

Tuesday, 11/8

Jeffrey Lau, The Eagle-Shooting Heroes  (1993, 100 mins.) * Questions for WebQ posting assignment 7

Wednesday, 11/9

reappropriated memories; Jin Yong; film outline; cinematic plots

Read for today: P&W, Narrative Form (1st edition: 38-51; 2nd edition: 68-83; 3rd edition: 65-90)

Thursday, 11/10

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

Friday, 11/11

NO SECTION MEETING (VETERANS DAY)

WEEK 8

Monday, 11/14

Takeshi Kitano, Zatoichi  (2003, 116 mins.)

Tuesday, 11/15

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

Wednesday, 11/16	Sound; Samurai film after Kurosawa
	Read for today: P&W, Sound (1st edition:208-237; 2nd edition: 241-271; 3rd edition: 227-274)

Thursday, 11/17

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

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 9

Monday, 11/21

Zhang Yimou, Hero  (2001, 118 mins.)

Tuesday, 11/22	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; 3rd edition: 407-428)

Wednesday, 11/23

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

Thursday, 11/24

THANKSGIVING - NO CLASS; NO QUIZ SECTION ON FRIDAY

FOR THIS WEEK'S LECTURES OUTLINE, CLICK HERE

WEEK 10

Monday, 11/28

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

Tuesday, 11/29

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

Wednesday, 11/30	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; 3rd edition: 429-441)

Thursday, 12/1

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, 12/5

TBA

Tuesday, 12/6

Steven Chou, Kung Fu Hustle   (2004, 95 mins.)

Wednesday, 12/7

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

Thursday, 12/8

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; 3rd edition: 171-182)

	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