Course Code and Course Title
China on Screen
Time and Venue
Thursday 9:30 AM - 1:15 PM
ELB_LT2
Instructor
Dr. Abraham Overbeeke
Course Description
Many 20th century Chinese films were concerned with issues of nationhood, identity, trauma, and a national past. In recent years, however, while some directors have continued to focus on the nation’s past, others have chosen to look at the present and the effects of globalization on Chinese society and culture. This course asks that students begin to understand Chinese cinema(s) as transnational, a triangular composite of Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong cinema that has also been influenced by Hollywood, Japanese and Korean cinema, amongst others. Students will be introduced to Chinese film history and criticism via an examination of eleven films directed by some of Greater China’s most skilled directors.
Course Outline
Week 1: 11 January Introduction
Week 2: 18 January The Goddess (1934)
Week 3: 25 January Spring in a Small Town (1948)
Week 4: 1 February Two Stage Sisters (1964)
***Monday 5 February Assignment 1 Due (REQUIRED!)***
Week 5: 8 February A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Week 6: 22 February Dust in the Wind (1986)
***Monday 26 February Assignment 2 Due***
Week 7: 29 February Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Week 8: 14 March Chungking Express (1994)
***Monday 18 March Assignment 3 Due***
Week 9: 21 March Devils on the Doorstep (2000)
Week 10: 28 March Still Life (2006)
***Wednesday 3 April Short Assignment 4 Due***
Week 11: 11 April Drug War (2012)
Week 12: 18 April Yi Yi (2000)
***Friday 3 May Final Assignment Due***