Oriental Languages and Cultures

The course aims to introduce students to Chinese literary History of the second half of the 20th century. In order to contextualize the literary production in regards to historical and political period in question, the course will analyze literary and cultural trends, writers and literary works which rejuvenated Chinese literature from the end of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) to the beginning of the 21st century. The aim of the course will be to examine the role and function of writers in the post-Mao China, and to analyze position which were taken by various literary trends in their relation (and opposition) with power and masses. The evolution of the cultural debate during the second half of the 20th century will be examined through the reading of primary sources in Chinese language and through reading secondary sources in English and Italian. This year, the course includes three lectures in Chinese by Professor Zhang Li from Beijing Normal University (Beijing Shifan Daxue), covering: women’s writing in the 21st century; narrative techniques in contemporary Chinese literature; and the new 'social' literature.

A good command of Chinese is required, in order to be able to read and comment on sources in the original language (simplified characters); a strong interest in reading, and the willingness to read novels, short stories, and essays during the semester, which will form an integral part of the program and classroom discussions.

Pesaro N., Pirazzoli M., La narrativa del Novecento, Roma, Carocci, 2019, capp. 7, 8, 9, 10. Additional materials will be indicated during the lectures

Class attendance is not required

During the course, students are expected to deliver presentations (30% of the final grade), participate in discussions and provide comments on texts read (20%), and take a final oral exam (50%) covering the topics addressed throughout the course. The assessment criteria are: completeness of knowledge, appropriate use of subject-specific terminology, and the ability to make connections both among the various authors, movements, and genres studied during the course and with the literary history of their own country. High marks will be awarded to students who are able to explain the themes, works, and authors studied, demonstrating a clear understanding of the main topics addressed during the course, while also showing a critical approach to the literary material and using appropriate academic language. Lower marks will be assigned to students who demonstrate memorization of information and topics covered during the course, presenting them with language that is not fully appropriate. For non-attending students, the number of novels or short stories to be selected as reading material for the exam will be 4 and 18, respectively.

The teaching methodology will include lectures and seminar activities, in which active participation by students will be required. The seminars will consist of both translation and commentary of literary works (essays, poems and short stories), as well as readings and discussions of critical essays.