Focus on social and cultural problems created by attempts to modernize yet defend tradition, and on the differing results of Chinese and Japanese approaches. Also listed as Anthropology 47 and History 29. Offered every year. As in Freshman Studies, readings include works of literature, history, and religion to acquaint students with basic themes and concerns of a major civilization. Special attention to aesthetic and literary concerns.
All works read in English.
Offered every year. 1000 B.C., to the great eighteenth century novel, Dream of the Red Chamber. Emphasis on a close reading and analysis of the original poetic texts by way of word by word annotations, attention to prosodic rules for each genre, and discussion of the translators renditions. Readings in fiction will include short fiction from Tang and Ming periods and several novels from the Ming-Qing period. Class conducted in English.