HIST 2210 - [Pop Culture in China]

(crosslisted) ASIAN 2210, CAPS 2210
(GHB) (HA-AS)

Fall. Next offered 2016-2017. 4 credits.

T. Hinrichs.

In this course we will explore the popular culture, society, and religion of Late Imperial China through the reading of a sixteenth century novel, The Journey to the West. Journey follows the adventures of a mischievous and powerful monkey king, Sun Wukong, in his quests for immortality, fun, and universal salvation. We will study the historical contexts in which this work was produced, performed, and read, and consider the emergence of a realm of “popular culture” in comparative perspective. We will also examine modern adaptations of the story for stage, film, and animation.