This course will explore how various tales embody the cultural values, maintain local traditions, and express regional and national identities throughout Chinese history. We will examine recent films such as Mulan and Over the Moon as well as myths from two thousand years ago and tales like Yexian (Cinderella) from the ninth century. We will discover how folklorists analyze folk and fairy tales, jokes, and rumors, and study how media representation plays a role in drawing boundaries and stereotypes between us and them in our current global communication. Included in our comparative studies are tales from the Brothers Grimm and Disney films. We will also learn the magic formula as we engage in writing our own enchanting tales.
Course taught by: Juwen Zhang Colloquium Associate: Brianna Kurtenbach
Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy
A Dictionary of Asian Mythology
Encyclopedia of China: The Essential Reference to China, Its History and Culture
The Indiana Companion to Traditional Chinese Literature
The Chinese Filmography: the 2444 feature films produced by studios in the People's Republic of China from 1949 through 1995
Encyclopedia of Chinese FilmBelow are key reference books that provide a general overview of a topic or help identify synonyms, related terms, or basic data. These sources often include references and lists of further readings.
The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines
Celebrating life customs around the world: from baby showers to funeralsEncyclopedia of Folklore and Literature
The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
