This course will study how women and femininity have been represented in modern Japan--roughly defined as Japan from the 1890s to the present--mostly through textual literature but also through other mediums including film, manga, and stage productions. We will also analyze how modern and contemporary Japanese treatments of gender and individual identity reflect and/or defy broader global discourses on these issues.

A seminar focusing on influential medieval and early-modern narratives such as the Tale of Heike in which the notion of the samurai first developed. No prerequisites. Satisfies the non-Western and Second-Writing requirements.

New course in the subject of Chinese literature in translation

New course in Japanese.

New course in the subject of Korean.

This seminar focuses on works of fiction from modern China that articulate womanhood from a variety of perspectives. In addition to women writers (Qiu Jin, Ding Ling, Eileen Chang, Xi Xi, Chen Ran, Zhu Tianxin), male writers such as Xu Dishan, Mao Dun, and Lao She who devote unusual attention to feminine subjectivity are also included. Familiarity with Chinese culture and society and literary analysis are preferred, but not required.

Chinese science fiction has roots in traditional literature and translated Western science fiction, reappeared in various forms throughout the 20th century, and rapidly developed in the 21st century, with growing worldwide impact. This course explores Chinese science fiction, with excursions into aspects of Chinese culture that have shaped it, as well as aspects of global science fiction that have impacted it, and theories of world literature relevant to its global reception and circulation.

This course is a continuation of CHIN 3020. The goal of these courses is to help students understand journalistic essays and some literature pieces through systematic study of sentence patterns and formal writing styles. All aspects of Chinese language learning are still evenly balanced. Prerequisite: Must have earned a grade of C or above in CHIN 3020/ 3050, or have equivalent background approved by instructor through placement evaluation. Contact the Chinese language program director Prof. Ran Zhao (rz4e@virginia.edu) for information about the placement evaluation. 

Examines the biographies of female heroines and villains as found in the early Chinese text Tradition of Exemplary Women (ca. 18 B.C.). Students gain a familiarity with (a) the history of women in early China, (b) the evolving codes of behavior that shaped women's' culture for two millennia, and (c) the way in which the Chinese understand gender. Enhances an understanding of the function of role models in both ancient China and their own lives. Fulfills the non-Western perspectives requirement.

This course will offer the students the opportunities to develop advanced reading proficiency in modern Korean language. The course will deal with advanced reading material, mostly from authentic writings in various genres and styles, such as newspaper editorials, columns, essays, T.V. news clips, short stories, and other expository and literary writings. Prerequisite: Must have earned a grade of C or above in KOR 3020, OR have equivalent background approved by instructor through placement evaluation. Contact the Korean language program director Prof. Yoon Hwa Choi (yc8z@virginia.edu) for information about the placement evaluation.