Fall 2019 - WL 201 D100

East/West Encounters (3)

Class Number: 1345

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 7, 2019
    Sat, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the relationship between Eastern and Western narratives. The focus may include the mutual influence of Eastern and Western cultural traditions and modernities, the construction of the 'East' in the West and of the 'West' in the East, theories of Orientalism and Occidentalism, and forms of East/West syncretism. This course may be repeated once for credit when different topics are offered. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:


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Critics argue that global culture offers a new ‘grammar of identity’ for the modern world. At the same time, ‘transnational’ literary works are seen to provide readers with tools for cross-cultural comprehension – yet what happens when the attempt to bridge national differences results in incomplete assimilation? By focusing upon the permeable margins of the East/West divide, our readings explore the synthesis of national & cultural spaces of understanding across South East Asia & Japan as a geographically defined test case for the pressures of Westernization & globalization.  

Our course texts cross the span of 20th Century experience in Japan (Naomi) and Taiwan (The Stolen Bicycle and The Lost Garden) before turning to family sagas unfolding across Kolkata and London (The Shadow Lines), and then Saigon and Montreal (Ru). We will also watch East Asian films which blend Eastern Western modes of storytelling.   

Grading

  • Short Essay 15%
  • Presentation: East / West 20%
  • Participation 15%
  • Term Paper 25%
  • Final Exam 25%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:


COURSE FILMS: [PROVIDED]             
The Scent of Green Papaya 
( Vietnam ) Tran Anh Hung                                                           
Suchou River ( China ) Lou Ye

REQUIRED READING:

Junichiro TANIZAKI, Naomi. Vintage.
ISBN: 978-0375724749

Amitav GHOSH, The Shadow Lines. Mariner.
ISBN: 978-0618329960

Kim THÚY, Ru. Vintage.
ISBN: 978-0345816146

LI Ang, The Lost Garden. Columbia UP. 
ISBN: 978-0231175555

WU Ming-yi, The Stolen Bicycle (excerpt) [ PROVIDED ]

Registrar Notes:

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