MLL 462 - Modern Chinese Short Stories in English Translation

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply the principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in human inquiries by the provided comprehensive overview of Chinese literature that has shaped modern-day China. Spanning one and a half centuries from the dawn of Republic of China (1911) to the current twenty-first century, this course covers the eras of Republic, warlord, anti-Japanese wars (1937-1945), civil war, China divided, Culture Revolution, and the contemporary. The selected short stories trace the literary movements that took place over the course of the twentieth century, and provides a multi-perspective presentation of literary narratives with cultural diversity.
2. Students will demonstrate in their oral and written work an understanding of the cultural endeavors and legacies of Chinese civilization. Form the course material, including the weekly reading assignments and online resources, the course will include weekly Discussion Board discussions on 30 short stories grouped into 10 topics, 4 films that the original scripts were based on short stories representing unique Japanese literary genre, 2 online exams, and 2 Reader’s Pick review papers and one Final Paper via Turnitin on Blackboard. All selected short stories are in English translation and by prominent writers portray controversial images of China, including stories from the colonial period in Taiwan, literature by Tibetan authors, samplings from the People’s Republic of China during the Cultural Revolution, stories by post-Mao authors, the controversial image of ‘New Woman’, and examples from the modern “cruel youth” movement.
3. Students will demonstrate their ability to discuss, deliberate, and write about opposing viewpoints in an insightful and logical manner, to present an opposing side fairly, and to criticize the argument rather than attacking the person. Students are required to post their comments to weekly Discussion Boards in order to participate in discussions on the assigned readings and films. Each student has to post a comment to the weekly Forum by creating his/her own Thread under the title of a selected film or a short story of the weekly list with a discussion concept; student also need to respond to at least one of other students’ postings on weekly basis; the instructor will monitor the discussions, deliberations, and responses and provide comments to the various viewpoints.
4. Students will demonstrate their developing intellectual curiosity and a habit of lifelong learning, through choice of research topics, the number and quality of questions asked in class, the application of course concepts or themes to lived experiences or world events, or through other similar means. Students will chose at least 1 short story from each reading lists and write short essays on their picks, including the reason why they pick the story, summery of the story, which character has caught the most attention, explain why and how the story reflects the social condition of China of the era, citing a passage from the story that reflects the title of the story and explains, and etc. In the review essay, students will have to include one or two citations from the stories of choice. Student’s choice of quotes from the story should associate with the theme of this course, “constructing the images of New China,” or the topic of their essays. Students will decide their own Final Paper topic. Final paper should be a comparative study of two (or more) short stories of the literary representation of Modern and Post-modern China. Comparing a short story with one of the selected films is an alternative option. Students are encouraged to further establish their interpretation, criticism, and reflection on current events or life experience in comparison with the selected story.
5. Students will demonstrate the potential for participating in and contributing to a democratic society as an informed, engaged, and reflective citizen. The reading and assignments, exams, short review papers, and final paper preparation are in accord with SLO and ILO requirements. Instructor will be available for questions online and in-person during the scheduled office hours or by appointment. Assessments will focus on content of ideas to ensure critical thinking and reasoning, communication of ideas and investment of social justice and equity are embedded within student discussions and writing. All participation and assignments will be graded to encourage students to take charge for their learning

1. demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply the principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in the arts and humanities;
2. analyze cultural production as an expression of, or reflection upon, what it means to be human; and
3. demonstrate how the perspectives of the arts and humanities are used by informed, engaged, and reflective citizens to benefit local and global communities.