This advanced level course utilizes Chinese films as authentic texts to enhance students’ language learning skills as well as to broaden their knowledge in Chinese culture, philosophy, history, and society. 9 films are carefully selected, and include a variety of genres: urban melodrama, martial arts film, historical epic, costume drama, comedy, red classics, and science fiction. The topics include Chinese folk legend of the butterfly lovers of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, the three Song Sisters’ extraordinary lives and their strong influence on modern China, Master Yip Man’s life during the Sino-Japanese war, the multiple perspectives of Cultural Revolution, the revolutionary canon of White Haired Girl and its post-socialist consumption, the changing family (father-son) relationship and the issue of traditional culture in contemporary China, China’s vision of the planet’s future in recent sci-fi blockbusters, and last but not least, Bruce Lee’s legacy and Stephen Chow’s martial arts comedies.
The pace is about three classes per film. Regular attendance is absolutely required. Three unexcused absences will automatically lower one level of your grade. You are responsible for devoting 1-2 hours of study outside of class for each hour in class.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Georgia Tech’s Honor Code. The use of AI is not permitted in this course and is considered a violation of academic integrity. Consequences are severe: any assignment found to involve AI use will receive a grade of zero; the student will be advised to withdraw from the course at any point during the semester; and the incident will be reported to the Office of Student Integrity.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area. Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals. This course should direct students toward a broad orienting question: How do I interpret human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works? Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following learning outcome: students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary and philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts. Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following career-ready competencies: ethical reasoning, information literacy, and intercultural competence.