Introduction to Chinese Culture

Instructors:
Alwin Alexander
Asha Baby Mathews

Class room: Reading Room (English) Time: 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm

Mode of Delivery:
1. Intro by Instructors (20 mts)
2. Group work (30 mts)
3. Presentation (10 mts)

Class requirements
Each week, students will prepare a Response Paper (250 words) which will
include the following:
1. a brief summary the argument of the text(s) and movies for reading/viewing
2. any idea/area/passage of the texts and the movie that
excites/interests/confuses/challenges you and the reasons for that
3. suggestions/sources/texts/movies for further inquiry or parallel discussions

Students will take turns to read the responses in their groups followed by
discussion. The group discussion leader will present findings for classroom discussion.
The response papers must be submitted after the class for evaluation

How to Access the Films:

Films are not screened in class and there are no outside screenings scheduled for this
course. You must watch the films on your own time before attending the class. The links
to view all of the required films for the course will be posted. Personal discretion is
advised while watching the movies as they may contain explicit materials. The
movies prescribed are critically acclaimed classics and form the standard content
of any Chinese movie course. Please contact the instructors in case of any
difficulty in accessing or viewing the movies.

Course Schedule:
Day 1
1. Modern Chinese Philosophy
2. Religions
3. Family & Kinship

Texts: Class Over and submissions awaited

 Day 2

Chinese Movies I New Wave 1

Movie: Yellow Earth
Dir: Chen Kaige

Texts: Class Over and submissions awaited

Day 3

Chinese Movies II New Wave 2

Movie: Red Sorghum
Dir: Zhang Yimou

Texts: TBA

Day 4
1. Chinese politics
2. Diaspora
3. Cuisine
4. Celebrations/Festivals

Texts: TBA