Through an analysis of major works of literature and film, this course offers a picture of the cultural life of three variant Chinese communities, as well as an understanding of the interaction between these groups and the contemporary globalized context. Various Chinese communities live in Asia, outside Mainland China. They have developed unique socio-political features that clearly differentiate them from Mainland China as well as from each other. Yet, they share some common ground in terms of written or spoken language, as well as ethical and religious values.
Through close textual reading and filmic analysis of some major literary and cinematic works from different Chinese areas such as Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong, this course offers an understanding of the complexity of Chinese culture. This course problematizes topics such as family life, love and sexuality, education and law. Also, it analyses the interaction between Chinese culture and the contemporary globalized context. Issues such as that of a monolithic notion of Chineseness will be discussed and essentialist constructions as well as nationalist agendas will be analysed.