從文本到銀幕: 文學與電影文化

CHINESE 580: Literature in Films

     

(Note:  This course will offer again in Spring 2009)

Class held in Spring 2007: Wednesday 16:10- 18:55 PM, Hum 217 /PC Lab 401 Humanities

critique on crouching tiger

 

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

 

This course offers students a comparative look at Chinese films from the 1920's to the     present and at the literary works from which they were adapted. Emphasis is primarily on linguistic transference from one medium to another, however, perspectives from Cultural Studies, Critical Theories will be used for timely, critical debates. Further understanding of the directors’ points of view and their auteur-ship (a view of life through individual control of style) will be evaluated. The students are expected to advance their Chinese communicative competence through in-depth discussions of topics between writers and directors, novels and films. In addition, their knowledge spectrum on some historical movements that impacted on selected modernists’ novels will be augmented.

 

Course Requirements & Instructional Method:

A: Three longer texts and 10 short film critiques or commentaries.

B:  The Assigned film(s) are expected to be screened before each class, though some excerpts my be

        presented to ease discussions.

C:  The in-class forum/panel discussion will be form to encourage students to articulate their comments about the literary work, about the differences between original text and film production, and beyond.

D:  The students are expected to complete reading/screening assignments before each class. Part A: course readers including selected literary work/Chinese text with key vocabulary provided. Part B: screening the selected film of that week before class. Part C: commentaries/critiques (e.g., Chinese Films in Focus- 25 New Takes) on film productions or on original literary works.

 

Grading System:

          1. Completion of reading assignment (readers & Focus):

            2. Forum discussion; reflection of film

            3. Attitude, contribution, participation in discussions

           4. Vocabulary quizzes (on selected work)

            5. Mid-term project (presentation & paper)

            6. Final project (oral report & paper)

15%

15%

15%

15%

20%

20%

 

 

Textbook, Readers and Handouts:

1.     Section of reading in The CHINESE 580 Readers

available from January 29, 2007 in Dragon Printings: 450 Taraval Street, San Francisco. (between 14th & 15th ave.)

2.     Chinese Films in Focus- 25 New Takes edited by Chris Berry (2003), British Film Institute available in the bookstore on SF State campus.

3.     Resources on the web:

·        Roger Ebert:  http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

·        New York Times on movies: http://movies.nytimes.com/pages/movies/index.html

·        Senses of Cinema  http://www.sensesofcinema.com/index.html

·        SinaNet Film Critique   http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/index.html

·        Transculturation & Modernity:  http://www.ntnu.edu.tw/tcsl/Media_Language

 

W 

A

Close Reading

of Chinese Text

[discussion mostly led

by Lin laoshi]

B

Film Screening

within one Week

FLL 4th FL (Language Lab)-  

self scheduled

 

C

Forum Rotation

[ Rotation:

one discussion leader;

one discussion commentator]

1/24

1.   Introduction of the course; function of a film (relive history, culture reinforcement)

 

2.   Chinese Film Chronology

 

v      Screening in class-

Ruan Lingyu; Center Stage

[Shanghai Period: 物质的,经济导向,印刷术,工业革命,市侩-无人情]

Discussion

- What did you see?

- How do you interpret it?

1/31

Ø   阮玲玉 (新闻)

Ø                  Screening before class-

CENTER STAGE

 

Discussion

- Focus (p. 31-38)

- Focus (p. 111-119)

2/7

Ø   乌鸦与麻雀-1949

(剧情简介和影评)

 

Ø   十七岁的单车 - 2001-

(剧情简介和影评)

 

Ø                  Screening before class- CROWS AND SPARROWS

v      Screening in class-

BEIJING BICYCLE

 

Discussion

- Focus (p. 65-72)

 

2/14

Ø   芙蓉镇

(剧情简介和影评)

Ø                  Screening before class-

HABISCUS TOWN

Discussion

- Focus (p. 120-127)

2/21

Ø  黄土地

(剧情简介和影评)

Ø  霸王别姬(一)

Ø      Screening before class-

YELLOW EARTH

Discussion

-Focus (p. 191-197)

2/28

 

Ø  霸王别姬(二)

Ø      Screening before class-

FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE

Discussion

-Focus (p. 89-96)

3/7

Ø   一个都不能少

(剧情简介和影评)

Ø   卧虎藏龙(一)

Ø       Screening before class-

NOT ONE LESS

Discussion

-Focus (144-151)

3/14

 

Ø   卧虎藏龙(二)

Ø       Screening before class-

1_CROUCHING TIGER,

HIDDEN DRAGON

Ø       

2_A TOUCH OF ZEN (optional)

Discussion

-Focus (167-174) -optional

3/21

 

Ø   卧虎藏龙(三)

Ø       Screening before class-

CROUCHING TIGER,

HIDDEN DRAGON

 

Discussion

-Focus (p. 56-64)

3/28

Ø   喜喜

(剧情简介和影评)

Ø       Screening before class-

WEDDING BANQUET

Discussion

-Focus (183-190)

4/4

 

 

Ø  Mid-term PPT presentation

Ø      Mid-term PPT presentation

Mid-term PPT presentation

 

 

4/11

Spring Recess

(Enjoy your Spring Break)

Spring Recess

Spring Recess

4/18

一 一

(剧情简介和影评)

 

Ø      Screening before class-

Ø       Screening before class-

A ONE AND A TWO

 

Discussion

-Focus (p. 198-205)

4/25

Ø      爱情万岁

(剧情简介和影评)

 

Ø      Screening before class-

Vive L’Amour

Discussion

-Focus (p. 175-182)

5/2

Ø      重庆森林

(剧情简介和影评)

Ø    2046

 

Ø      Screening before class-

CHUNGKING EXPRESS

Ø      2046

Discussion

-Focus (p. 47-55)

5/9

Ø   喋血街头

(剧情简介和影评)

 

Ø      Screening before class-

BULLET IN THE HEAD

Discussion

-Focus (p. 23-30)

5/16

PPT Student

Final Presentation

(prepared)

(prepared)