首页>Courses>Selected Themes on Chinese Literature II: Images of China

Since the early days, the translation, dissemination and promotion of literature from and about China has
resulted in the creation of diverse images of China in the West. In this course, texts dealing with China
(including articles, travel writing, and literary translations) from both past and present will be discussed
and critically interpreted. We will take a closer look at the purposes and methods of introducing China
deployed by sinologists, translators and publishers involved in literary translation, and also explore the role
of missionaries, travellers, historians, and overseas Chinese whose works contributed to the
representation of China. This will give an overview of the evolution in the images of China over time.
Theories such as Orientalism, imagology and cultural translation will be used to analyse the construction
of national images and improve an awareness of different perspectives. Ultimately, the aim of this course
is to help students read texts from and about China more critically to better understand Western
perceptions of China.

WEEK 1 (12 Jan.) Introduction: Chinoiserie, Sinophilia and Sinophobia

WEEK 2 (19 Jan.) In Theory: Imaging and Imagining China
[26 Jan. Chinese New Year: NO CLASS]

WEEK 3 (2 Feb.) Missionaries and the Image of China

WEEK 4 (9 Feb.) Sinologists and the Image of China

WEEK 5 (16 Feb.) Travellers to China

WEEK 6 (23 Feb.) Historians and the Image of China

WEEK 7 (2 Mar.) Chinese Folklore for English Readers

WEEK 8 (9 Mar.) Chinese Influences on the Image of China

WEEK 9 (16 Mar.) Translators of Chinese Literature

WEEK 10 (23 Mar.) Constructing Images of China

WEEK 11 (30 Mar.) Global Storyteller

WEEK 12 (6 Apr.) Special Focus: The Image of Hong Kong

WEEK 13 (13 Apr.) Review and Conclusion

Attendance and Participation 15%
Presentation 20%
Short written assignment 25%
Final paper 40%

Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary
guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichones ty/.With each assignment, students will be
required to submit a signed declaration that they are aware of the policies, regulations and procedures.