ARTS2457 Course Outline

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This course outline is to be read in conjunction with A Companion to Course Outlines,
available on the School of Languages and Linguistics website at:
http://languages.arts.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/
1. Location of the Course
FACULTY Arts and Social Sciences
SCHOOL Languages and Linguistics
COURSE CODE ARTS2457
COURSE NAME CHINA IMAGINED AND PERCEIVED
SEMESTER 2 YEAR 2011

2. Table of Contents
Page
1. Location of the Course 1
2. Table of Contents 1
3. Staff Contact Details 1
4. Course Details 1
5. Course Timetable 2
6. Rationale for the Inclusion of Content and Teaching Approach 2
7. Teaching Strategies 3
8. Assessment 3
9. Academic Honesty and Plagiarism 3
10. Course Schedule 4
11. Expected Resources for Students 7
12. Course Evaluation and Development
13. Other Information
7
7

3. Staff Contact Details

Name
A/Prof. Dr.
Jon Eugene von Kowallis
Office
Morven-Brown 239
Phone 9385-1020 Email [email protected]
Contact Time
and Availability
Wednesdays 4-5; Mondays 5-6 and by appointment
OTHER TEACHING STAFF
Name Office
Phone Email
Contact Time
and Availability


4. Course Details
Credit Points 6
Summary of the
Course
This course aims to examine both how the Chinese are imagined and
portrayed by Western culture, how the Chinese depict themselves,
the interaction of this depicting China discourse in both literary and
popular culture and its significance both for the East and West.
Aims of the Course
1.
Using texts of literature, philosophy, critical theory, and
intellectual history, supplemented by films of both Western and
Chinese origin, this subject will examine both how the Chinese
are imagined and portrayed by Western culture, how the
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Chinese depict themselves, the interaction of this depicting
China discourse in both literary and popular culture and its
significance both for the East and West.
2.
This can be regarded as a significant content course for both
Chinese majors and electives. With the rising influence of China
inevitably Australias biggest trading partner and one of the
superpowers in the 21st century in the global context, this
course aims to bridge the gap between China and the
international arena by helping us to better understand and
interpret the imagined and perceived notions of China and
Chinese civilization by Westerners and Chinese alike.

Student Learning
Outcomes
1.
Ability to critically read important texts of literature,
comparative literature, and Chinese intellectual history;
2.
Develop the ability to analyse different genres such as
literature, critical theory, film and film theory;
3. Acquire research and analytical skills on a selected topic;
4. Define and critique the concept of orientalism.
Graduate Attributes
1.
effective written communication skills and the ability to apply
these effectively in intercultural contexts
2.
the capacity for critical analysis of scholarship, writing and
sources on and about China and its perception by itself others
3.
an informed understanding of human experience, history,
culture and society in the Asian, China and Chinese diasporic
regions, and how China is viewed by others
4.
a capacity to engage in and appreciate the value of reasoned
and open-minded discussion and debate

5. Course Timetable
Class Type/Number Day Time Location
Lecture/2395 Wednesday 1:00 2:00PM MATT 309
Tutorial/2396 Wednesday 2:00 4:00PM MATT 130

* Course timetables are subject to change without notice. Students are advised to check
regularly for updates on the Online Timetable at www.timetable.unsw.edu.au.

6. Rationale for the Inclusion of Content and Teaching Approach
Lectures focus on the reading assignments but will include a discussion of films. We will view
portions of the films together in class. If you miss a class, all films will be available at the UNSW
library (Multi-media Section, 2nd Floor entry level). They can be viewed by reserving a
machine there, but cannot be borrowed.
This course requires students to do a substantial amount of reading. It is important that you
commit yourselves to doing the readings on a regular basis from the beginning of the course.
Classes based on literary studies and critical theory are focussed on discussions and close
analyses of primary and secondary texts, and only by reading them and thinking reflectively on
the issues in class discussions can you expect to master the course material. It is compulsory
for you to attend at least 80% of classes and attempt all components of the assessment in
order to pass the course.


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7. Teaching Strategies
This course has three main components: literary studies, critical theory and film analysis. It is
lecture/seminar based, with a strong emphasis on classroom discussion. Teaching, film viewing
and discussion will be conducted in the classroom.

8. Assessment
Assessment
Task
Length Weight
Learning
Outcomes
Assessed
Graduate
Attributes
Assessed
Due Date
Essay 2,500-word 50% 1-4 1-4 wk 10
Exam (open
book)

2 hours 50% 1-4 1-4 TBA scheduled
by UNSW
central

Submission of Assessment Tasks and Late Assignments (see also under 13 Other
Information).
In addition to fulfilling the above assessment requirements, students are expected to
attend at least 80% of their lectures and tutorials in order to pass the course.
All results are reviewed at the end of each semester and may be adjusted to ensure
equitable marking across the School.
This course has a formal examination which will be scheduled in the formal
examination period from 28 Oct to 15 Nov. Students are expected to give their studies
priority and this includes making themselves available for the entire examination
period. Travel commitments made prior to the publication of the final examination
timetable are not a valid reason for alternate assessment.
Grades
The proportion of marks lying in each grading range is determined not by any formula
or quota system, but by the way that students respond to assessment tasks and how
well they meet the objectives of the course. Nevertheless, since higher grades imply
performance that is well above average, the number of distinctions and high
distinctions awarded in a typical course is relatively small. At the other extreme, on
average 6.1% of students do not meet minimum standards, a little more (8.6%) in first
year courses. For more information on the grading categories see
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/academiclife/assessment/GuideToUNSWGrades.html

9. Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Plagiarism is presenting someone elses thoughts or work as your own. It can take many
forms, from not having appropriate academic referencing to deliberate cheating.

In many cases plagiarism is the result of inexperience about academic conventions. The
University has resources and information to assist you to avoid plagiarism.

The Learning Centre assists students with understanding academic integrity and how to not
plagiarise. Information is available on their website: http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism/
. They also hold workshops and can help students one-on-one.

If plagiarism is found in your work when you are in first year, your lecturer will offer you
assistance to improve your academic skills. They may ask you to look at some online
resources, attend the Learning Centre, or sometimes resubmit your work with the problem
fixed. However more serious instances in first year, such as stealing another students work
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or paying someone to do your work, may be investigated under the Student Misconduct
Procedures.

Repeated plagiarism (even in first year), plagiarism after first year, or serious instances, may
also be investigated under the Student Misconduct Procedures. The penalties under the
procedures can include a reduction in marks, failing a course or for the most serious matters
(like plagiarism in a honours thesis) even suspension from the university. The Student
Misconduct Procedures are available here
http://www.gs.unsw.edu.au/policy/documents/studentmisconductprocedures.pdf


10. Course Schedule
Topic Date Lecture Content
Tutorial/Lab
Content
Readings Required
Introduction to
the concept of
Orientalism
20 July On overview of the course will be
given and the critical concept of
Orientalism will be introduced.
Lecture only this week, no tutorial
(acc. to UNSW planning).

Overview of the
Subject
27 July How are Westerners depicted in this
film and how does this contrast with
the depiction of Chinese people?

View: Tai-Pan
(USA 1986)*
Readings: Spence,
Jonathan "Western
Perceptions of
China from the late
Sixteenth Century
to the Present" in
Paul Ropp, ed.
Heritage of China;
Zhang Longxi, "The
Myth of the Other:
China in the Eyes of
the West" (in
course reader);

Contrasting
Images of the
Opium War.
Edward Said and
His
Configuration of
Orientalism
3 August How is the Opium War depicted? How
does the treatment of the Opium War
differ in the first two films (Tai-Pan vs.
Lin Zexu)? How does Said define
orientalism and what are the
solutions he proposes? How does
what we are doing this week work
toward a balance? Are elements of
"orientalism" present in either or both
of the films, if so where?
View: Lin Zexu/Lin
Tse-hs (PRC
1959)* Readings:
Edward Said,
Orientalism
(excerpted in
reader); Simon
Leys review of Said
from his book
Burning Forest

Early Western
Depictions of
China
10
August
The Boxer Uprising took place in China
in the lunar year gengzi (1900) but this
film was made in the US in 1963. What
events were happening in East Asia
then and to what extent might this
View: Fifty-five
Days at Peking
(USA 1963)*
Readings: de
Rachewiltz, Papal
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film have addressed those events,
rather than 1900?
Envoys to the Great
Khans; Marco Polo,
et al., The Travels of
Marco Polo (in
reader).
China and the
European
Enlightenment
17
August
What were the historical backgrounds
out of which these characters
evolved? What stereotypes are
present in these Hollywood
depictions, how do they differ from
each other and why? Is there any
carry over from Fu Manchu to the way
certain Chinese figures are depicted in
55 Days at Peking?
View: The Mask of
Fu Manchu and
Charlie Chan:
Murder Over New
York (USA 1920s-
1950s)*
Readings:
Montesquieu,
Lettres Persanes
("The Persian
Letters") (1721);
Oliver Goldsmith,
The Citizen of the
World (aka "The
Chinese Letters")
(1762) (in reader)

The Subaltern 24
August
How does orientalism manifest itself
in the depictions of China and the
Chinese people in "The Good Earth"?
View: The Good
Earth (USA 1937)*
Readings: Lu Xun,
Selected Stories
(1918-1926), pp.
125-143; Arthur
Smith, Chinese
Characteristics (in
reader); Pearl S.
Buck, The Good
Earth (1931) (in
reader);

The Subaltern
and the West
31
August

Note: 3-
11
Septemb
er (break)
How does the 1956 film version of
"The New Year's Sacrifice" differ from
the 1924 short story by Lu Xun? Are
there aspects of the film which tend to
"orientalize" China? If so, what are
they and how did they end up there?
Is it Lu Xun who orientalizes China or
the Communist scriptwriters? Why
would he or they do so? What beliefs
does Communism espouse? Think
about the music in the film; the
gestures and postures of the actors;
the treatment of religion/superstition.
View: Zhufu (The
New Year's
Sacrifice) (PRC
1956)*
Readings: Lu Xun,
Selected Stories, pp.
1-112; Lydia Liu,
Translingual
Practice (in reader).

The Debate over
Literature as
National
14 Sept. What does the film tell us about Hong
Kong society in the early 1960s? Think
about the role of the colonizers and
View: The World of
Suzie Wong (USA
1960)*
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Allegory the colonized. How much of the "Ah Q
spirit does Suzie embody and does
this work to her detriment?
Readings: Lu Xun,
Selected Stories, pp.
144-225; debate
between Frederic
Jameson and Aijaz
Ahmad from Social
Text (in reader)

Imperialism and
the Diaspora
21 Sept. How might the image of "the Chinese
woman" be manipulated as a national
symbol in Chinese Communist
discourse?
Readings: Amy Tan,
The Joy Luck Club;
Rey Chow, Writing
Diaspora.
View: Wutai
jiemei (Stage
Sisters) (PRC 1964)*

Communism
and "Eternal"
China

28 Sept. What might the nationalist revolution
(Beifa) in China (1925-1927) symbolize
in an American film made in 1966?
How do imperialistic incursions
eventually contribute to the diaspora?
Does Yellow Earth employ
orientalized images of China to
attempt an assessment of the
Communist revolution?

View: The Sand
Pebbles (USA
1966)*
Readings: Minford
and Barme, ed.
Seeds of Fire (in
reader) View:
Huang tudi
(Yellow Earth) (PRC
1985)*



Fetishization
and Obsession
with the
"Center"
5 Oct.
Essay due


Are there elements of Orientalism in
this film, if so where? What function
might these play both in terms of the
message of the film and in terms of its
appeal to Western audiences? Is
there a political dimension to both?
To what extent are Western ideas of
orientalism internalized in these films?
Where? What were the outcomes?
Readings: Victor
Segalen, Ren Leys;
View: Bertoluccis
The Last Emperor
(US/Italy 1987)*

The PRC as the
Centre: what
is real history?
12 Oct.



What do the preoccupations of this
film tell us about the limitations of
much Western interest in China and
on what aspects do these continue to
focus?
Readings: Victor
Segalen, View: Huo
Long (Fire Dragon)
(PRC 1986).
Tutorial session
(review)
19 Oct.



What are the most significant
similarities and contrasts between
Bertoluccis treatment of the life of
the last emperor and that of the film
from the PRC?
What is orientalism? How does it
apply to China and how do the
Chinese use orientalism?
Readings: River
Elegy (PRC 1988);
Readings: Barme
and Jaivin, ed. New
Ghosts, Old
Dreams: Chinese
Rebel Voices; Zhang
Longxi, "Western
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Theory and Chinese
Reality" (in reader).
View: River Elegy
(1988)*; Ju Dou
(PRC 1990)*

11. Expected Resources for Students
Textbook Details
Literary works (required reading):
You should purchase the course reader for ARTS2457 at UNSW Bookshop. Also
recommended are:
Lu Xun, Selected Stories (Peking: Foreign Languages Press)
Pearl S. Buck, The Good Earth
Victor Segalen, Ren Leys
Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club
Critical theory (required reading):
Zhang Longxi, Edward Said, Frederic Jameson & Aijaz Ahmad, Lydia Liu, Rey Chow, etc.
(note: readings will be excerpted in the photocopied class reader for ARTS2457 to be sold at
the UNSW Bookstore -- they are also on "closed reserve" in the library).
Additional Readings
Recommended background reading:
Paul S. Ropp, ed. Heritage of China
Jacques Gernet, A History of Chinese Civilization (2nd edition)
Frances Wood, Did Marco Polo Go to China?
Websites
Recommended website for study on modern and contemporary Chinese Literature and film:
Modern Chinese Literature and Culture (MCLC). Ed. Denton, Kirk. Department of East Asian
Languages and Literatures, The Ohio State U. <http://mclc.osu.edu>
Students seeking resources can also obtain assistance from the UNSW Library. One starting
point for assistance is:

info.library.unsw.edu.au/web/services/services.html

12. Course Evaluation and Development
Courses are periodically reviewed and students feedback is used to improve then. Feedback
is gathered using various means including UNSWs Course and Teaching Evaluation and
Improvement (CATEI) process.

13. Other Information
For more detailed information relating to the information below and other important
administrative information, see A Companion to Course Outlines, available on the School of
Languages and Linguistics website at: http://languages.arts.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/
under Administration.

Submission of Assessment Tasks
Assignments which are submitted to the School Assignment Box must have a properly
completed School Assessment Coversheet, with the declaration signed and dated by hand. It
can be downloaded from http://languages.arts.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/ under
Administration. It is individual students responsibility to make a backup copy of the
assignment prior to submission and retain it.
Assignments must be submitted before 4:00pm on the due date. Assignments received after
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this time will be marked as having been received late.

Late Submission of Assignments
Late assignments will attract a penalty. Of the total mark, 3% will be deducted each day for
the first week, with Saturday and Sunday counting as two days, and 10% each week
thereafter.
The penalty may not apply where students are able to provide documentary evidence of
illness or serious misadventure. Time pressure resulting from undertaking assignments for
other courses does not constitute an acceptable excuse for lateness.

OHS
UNSW's Occupational Health and Safety Policy requires each person to work safely and
responsibly, in order to avoid personal injury and to protect the safety of others. For all
matters relating to Occupational Health, Safety and environment, see
http://www.ohs.unsw.edu.au/

Attendance
Students are expected to be regular and punctual in attendance at all classes in the courses
in which they are enrolled. Explanations of absences from classes or requests for permission
to be absent from classes should be discussed with the teacher and where applicable
accompanied by a medical certificate. If students attend less than 80% of their possible
classes they may be refused final assessment.

Students who falsify their attendance or falsify attendance on behalf of another student
will be dealt with under the student misconduct policy.

Special Consideration
In cases where illness or other circumstances produce repeated or sustained absence,
students should apply for Special Consideration as soon as possible. Forms are available
from Student Central on the ground floor of the Chancellery (opposite the Library) or online
at the link below.
Applications on the grounds of illness must be filled in by a medical practitioner. Further
information is available at:
https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/atoz/SpecialConsideration.html

Student Equity and Disabilities Unit
Students who have a disability that requires some adjustment in their learning and teaching
environment are encouraged to discuss their study needs with the course convener prior to
or at the commencement of the course, or with the Student Equity Officers (Disability) in the
Student Equity and Disabilities Unit (9385 4734). Information for students with disabilities is
available at: http://www.studentequity.unsw.edu.au

Issues to be discussed may include access to materials, signers or note-takers, the provision
of services and additional examination and assessment arrangements. Early notification is
essential to enable any necessary adjustments to be made.