C LIT 322 A (1860)
Studies in Asian and Western Literatures

CHIN 381 Literature in Modern China

Twentieth-Century Chinese Drama and the Historical Imagination

Modern Chinese Drama and the Historical Imagination will explore theatrical texts (in translation) from the nineteen-twenties to the late nineteen-nineties. We will focus on the development of modern dramatic forms in China and will ask how theater has been mobilized to present specific visions of history and nationhood. In addition to reading the texts, we will explore various ways of interpreting them on stage -- from videos of existing performances to our own in-class dramatizations.

Hours: TTh 1:30-3:20 Classroom: MGH 251 5 credits

Instructor :	Yomi Braester
	office: C-504 Padelford
	office hours: TTh 3:30- 4:30 and by appointment
	e-mail: yomi@u.washington.edu
course website:	http://faculty.washington.edu/yomi/east-west.html

Assignments

Grading Components

Policies and Procedures

Readings

Class Schedule

Assignments

Class assignments include: (1) Reading responses: students are required to hand in a typed reading response, at least one FULL page long, for 10 of the 11 readings, following a set of questions posted on the web. The responses should demonstrate familiarity with the text and point at passages of special interest to the student. Unlike the two papers, the responses are not meant to demonstrate originality of thought. In principle, no extensions will be allowed for reading responses (see policies). (2) Dramatization and report: each student will take an active part in a 5-10 minute dramatization of a scene. A report accentuating the group's view of the play as well as the individual student's lessons from the experience, 2-3 pages long and typed, is due on the same day as the in-class dramatization. (3) Short paper: the paper will be written on a given set of questions. The paper should be at least 3 FULL pages long and typed. To understand the expected quality, please consult my grading criteria. (4) Quiz: an in-class quiz, based on classroom material, will be administered toward the end of the term. (5) Term paper: at least 5 FULL pages and typed. Please make sure to identify specific scenes and passages in the text discussed, make an original argument, and advance through a clear outline.

Grading components
Reading responses:	10 X 3	=	30
Dramatization and report:			10
Short paper:			20
Quiz			10
Term paper:			30

Policies and Procedures

Late submissions must be pre-approved by the instructor or they will not be accepted.  Extensions for reading responses, make-up classes, and extra screenings will be available only in very special cases, where the students can demonstrate circumstances beyond their control.

All assignments, except in-class commentary, must be typed. To ensure a standard length, please make sure to use Times New Roman font, size 12, double-spaced, with page margins not exceeding 1.25 inches on each side.

The course adheres to UW’s rules on plagiarism
(see http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm).

Students with disabilities are encouraged to inform me, and I’ll do my best to provide the relevant accommodations.

Readings

Texts:

Gao Xingjian, Bus stop
        (in Theater and Society: An Anthology of Contemporary Chinese Drama
Gunn, Edward, "Introduction" (in Twentieth-Century Chinese Drama)
        (available on e-reserve)
Guo Shixing, Birdmen
        (in An Oxford Anthology of Contemporary Chinese Drama)
Jiang Qing, "Revolutionizing Chinese Opera"
        (in Fei, Chinese Theories of Theater and Performance)
Lai Sheng-ch'uan, Pining... in Peach Blossom Land
        (in An Oxford Anthology of Contemporary Chinese Drama)
        (available on e-reserve)
Lao She, Dragon Beard Ditch (available on e-reserve)
Li Longyun, Small Well Lane
        (on reserve at Odegaard Library and in the University bookshop)
Lu Xun, "The Passer-by" (in Wild Grass) (available on e-reserve)
Ouyang Yuqian, Pan Jinlian
        (in Twentieth-Century Chinese Drama: An Anthology)
        (available on e-reserve)
The Red Lantern (soon available on e-reserve)
Tao Yuan, “Peach Blossom Spring”
        (on line: http://www.knowledgerush.com/paginated_txt/peach10/peach10_s1_p1_pages.html)
The Water Margin (selection, available on e-reserve)
Wei Minglun, "I am Dreaming a Very Absurd Dream"
        (in Chinese Theories of Theater and Performance) (available on e-reserve)
Wei Minglun, Pan Jinlian: History of a Woman’s Downfall
        (in Theater and Society: An Anthology of Contemporary Chinese Drama
        (available on e-reserve)

Videos, on reserve at the Odegaard Media Center:

Clara Law, Reincarnations of Golden Lotus

CLASS SCHEDULE

week 1

Tuesday, 9/30

Introduction

Text assigned in class: Lu Xun, "The Passer-by"

Thursday, 10/2

Discussion: Pan Jinlian's story (The Water Margin)

Read for today: Edward Gunn, "Introduction"; The Water Margin, chapters 23-26

READING RESPONSE #1 DUE

week 2

Tuesday, 10/7

Discussion: Modernity and Dramatic Tradition (Ouyang's Pan Jinlian)

Read for today:

Ouyang Yuqian, Pan Jinlian

READING RESPONSE #2 DUE

Thursday, 10/9

Discussion: Postmodern History (Wei's Pan Jinlian)

Read for today:	Wei Minglun, Pan Jinlian: The History of a Fallen Woman;
	Wei Minglun, "I am Dreaming a Very Absurd Dream"

READING RESPONSE #3 DUE

week 3

Tuesday, 10/14

In-class screening: Reincarnations of Golden Lotus

Read for today: Golden Plum Vase (selection)

Thursday, 10/16

Discussion: Multiple national visions (Reincarnations of Golden Lotus)

READING RESPONSE #4 DUE

week 4

Tuesday, 10/21

PREPARE GROUP DRAMATIZATION

Thursday, 10/23

PREPARE GROUP DRAMATIZATION

Read for today: Lao She, Dragon Beard Ditch

week 5

Tuesday, 10/28

In-class dramatizations (Ouyang's Pan Jinlian; Wei Minglun's Pan Jinlian)

DRAMATIZATION REPORT DUE

Thursday, 10/30

In-class screening: Teahouse

week 6

Tuesday, 11/4

Discussion: Drama for a New China (Dragon Beard Ditch); Writing workshop

Reread for today: Lao She, Dragon Beard Ditch

For lesson outline and texts assigned, see here

READING RESPONSE #5 DUE

SHORT PAPER ASSIGNED

Thursday, 11/6

Discussion: History as spectacle (Dragon Beard Ditch)

Read for today: The Red Lantern

READING RESPONSE #6 DUE

week 7

Tuesday, 11/11

VETERANS' DAY - NO CLASS

Thursday, 11/13

Discussion: Revolutionary drama (The Red Lantern)

SHORT PAPER (for those who do not intend to submit dramatization #2) DUE

week 8

Tuesday, 11/18

Discussion: Codes of allegiance (The Red Lantern)

Thursday,11/20

Discussion: The fourth wall comes down

Reading for today: Lai Sheng-ch'uan, Pining... in Peach Blossom Land;
Tao Yuanming, "Peach Blossom Spring"

READING RESPONSES #7 DUE

TERM PAPER ASSIGNED

week 9

Tuesday, 11/25

Discussion: Contending identities in Taiwan

Read for today: Guo Shixing, Birdmen

READING RESPONSE #8A DUE

SHORT PAPER SAMPLE POSTED HERE

Thursday, 11/27

THANKSGIVING - NO CLASS

week 10

Tuesday, 12/2

PREPARE DRAMATIZATION #2

Thursday, 12/4

In-class dramatizations (Dragon Beard Ditch; The Red Lantern; Pining)

Discussion: From national to local identity (Small Well Lane)

Read for today: Li Longyun, Small Well Lane

DRAMATIZATION REPORT #2 (for those who did not submit short paper) DUE

READING RESPONSE #9-10 DUE

week 11

Tuesday, 12/9

Discussion: Antihistory

Read for today: Gao Xingjian, Bus stop

READING RESPONSE #8B DUE;
READING RESPONSE #11 DUE

QUIZ ADMINISTERED

Monday, 12/16

TERM PAPER DUE (extensions must be approved by instructor beforehand)