Course Code
CHES3101
CCSS3440
Course Name
China on Screen
Time
Thursday 9:30 AM - 1:15 PM
Venue
ELB_LT2
Instructor
Dr. Abraham Overbeeke
Teaching Assistant
Miao Zixin
Course Description
Many 20th century Chinese films were concerned with issues of nationhood, identity, trauma, and a national past. In recent years, however, while some directors have continued to focus on the nation’s past, others have chosen to look at the present and the effects of globalization on Chinese society and culture. This course asks that students begin to understand Chinese cinema(s) as transnational, a triangular composite of Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong cinema that has also been influenced by Hollywood, Japanese and Korean cinema, amongst others. Students will be introduced to Chinese film history and criticism via an examination of eleven films directed by some of Greater China’s most skilled directors.
Course Outline
Week 1: 11 January Introduction
Week 2: 18 January The Goddess (1934)
Week 3: 25 January Spring in a Small Town (1948)
Week 4: 1 February Two Stage Sisters (1964)
***Monday 5 February Assignment 1 Due (REQUIRED!)***
Week 5: 8 February A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Week 6: 22 February Dust in the Wind (1986)
***Monday 26 February Assignment 2 Due***
Week 7: 29 February Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Week 8: 14 March Chungking Express (1994)
***Monday 18 March Assignment 3 Due***
Week 9: 21 March Devils on the Doorstep (2000)
Week 10: 28 March Still Life (2006)
***Wednesday 3 April Short Assignment 4 Due***
Week 11: 11 April Drug War (2012)
Week 12: 18 April Yi Yi (2000)
***Friday 3 May Final Assignment Due***
Assessment & Assignments
Participation 10%
Short assignments 50%
Final Take-Home Assignment 40%
Honesty in Academic Work
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/academichonesty/. With each assignment, students will be required to submit a signed declaration that they are aware of the policies, regulations and procedures.