Literature and Society: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese I

This advanced-level course is designed for students who have completed Advanced courses 301–308 at China Institute or equivalent advanced Chinese reading courses. It is also suitable for learners who have achieved an overall advanced proficiency in Chinese and wish to further strengthen their language skills through in-depth engagement with authentic literary texts. The course is especially well suited for students interested in modern Chinese literature and the social realities reflected through literary expression.

Using Literature and Society: An Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese (revised edition, 2016), published by Princeton University Press, the course adopts an innovative approach that integrates advanced language training with cultural and social analysis. Students will read a diverse selection of essays, short stories, and one play by some of China’s most influential modern writers, including Lu Xun (鲁迅), Lin Yutang (林语堂), Liang Shiqiu (梁实秋), and Wang Meng (王蒙).

Through close reading and discussion, students will not only refine their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and interpretive skills, but also explore key social and cultural issues in modern China. From a sociological perspective, the selected texts examine topics such as population and family dynamics, ethics and marriage, the lives of intellectuals, and the challenges faced by ethnic minorities, offering valuable insights into Chinese society through literature.

Required textbook:
Literature and Society: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese, published by Princeton University Press, revised edition, 2016. Literature: Lessons 1-5.