Summer 2002
Class Room: Niccol 301
June 17-July 12
Time: Mon-Thur 7:30-10:20am
Instructor: Dr. Pingchao Zhu
Office: Rm 315 AD
Office Hour: MTWR 1:30-2:30pm
Office Phone: 885-7166
Email: pzhu@uidaho.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course intends to present cultural & political developments
of modern Chinese history (from the 18th century to the present) through
the examination of both documentary films and movies. Major themes covered
include tribute system, emperor system, the Opium War, the 1911 revolution,
New Cultural movement, woman issue, legal system, the Communists vs. Nationalists,
China's Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945), Mao years (1949-1976), and China
in reforms. In addition to showing the films, lectures and class discussions
will help the class understand specific events and traditions. Some of
the films are only in Chinese, and the instructor will provide timely translation.
TEXTBOOKS
Craig, Alert M., The Heritage of Chinese Civilization, Prentice Hall,
2001.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. One in-class presentation
150 points
2. Two film critiques
100 each
3. Movie analysis (10)
10 each
4. Attendance
50
In-Class Presentation is based on the examination of one film.
Students will be divided in several groups (2 students in each group).
Presentation should include the following:
--Major story of the movie;
--Historical background;
--How does the movie present
the reality in history (if it is applicable);
--Questions for class discussion;
--A written report of the
presentation from each member in the group should be turned in at the end
of the presentation.
Movie Analysis includes two parts: 1)Identifications of major characters, events, or some important contexts in the movie; 2) short answer questions (answer in a sentence or two). The analysis is to be completed and turned in by the end of the class.
Film Critiques are reviews of two movies (in two separate essays) of students choice, except the movies students do in-class presentation. The essay should include a brief story, identify a couple of Chinese traditions, discuss how the movie reflect certain Chinese historical developments, and finally comment on the merit and weakness of the movie from a historical perspective. Each essay should be at least 3 full pages in length, typed, and doubled spaced.
GRADES SCALE
A=500-450 B=449-400 C=399-350 D=349-300 F=299 & below
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 June 17-20
Imperial China
Mon: Traditions &
Emperor system
--The Forbidden City (documentary)
--The First Emperor of China (documentary)
Tue: The Opium War
--The Pacific Century: Two Coasts of China (Documentary)
--Lin Tse-hsu (English subtitles)
Wed: Republic of China
--The Soong Sisters (English subtitles)
**Farewell My Concubine (English subtitles)
Thur: Presentation (Chinese
tradition & society)
**The Good Earth
Week 2 June 24-28
China In Revolution, 1911-1949
Mon: New Cultural Movement
--The Story of Ah Q (in Chinese)
**Shadow Magic
Tue: Women & Society
--Small Happiness (documentary)
**Ju Dou (English subtitles)
Wed: Presentation
(woman issue)
**Raise the Red Lantern (English subtitles)
Thur: Anti-Japanese War
(1937-45)
--China in Revolution, 1911-1949 (documentary)
**Red Sorghum (English subtitles)
--Nanjing Massacre (in Chinese)
--War of Mines and Tunnels (in Chinese)
The First Movie Critique due on Thursday
Week 3 July1-3 (No
Class on Thur., July 4, National Holiday)
Communist China: Mao Years, 1949-76
Mon: The Cultural Revolution
--Mao Years, 1949-76 (documentary)
**To Live (English subtitles)
**Blue Kite (English subtitles)
Tue: Presentation (Cultural
Revolution)
**Xiu Xiu, The Send Down Girl (English subtitles)
Wed: Political Culture
--The Korea War Heroes (in Chinese)
--Peking Operas
The Second Movie Critiques due on Wednesday
Week 4 July 8-11
China in Reforms, since 1978
Mon.: Presentation (food
culture)
**Eat, Drink, Man, Woman
Tue: Economic reforms
--Breaking the Silence (English subtitles)
Wed: Presentation (legal
system)
**Red Corner
Thur: Education &
Society
**Not One Less (English subtitles)
**The Road Home (English subtitles)
##Movies marked with ** means they are available in video store in town, most likely in Howard Hughes or The Bookpeople.