ASIAN 3352 - [Getting Rich in Modern China]

(crosslisted) CAPS 3352
(GB) (LA-AS, ALC-AS, SCD-AS)

Fall. Not offered: 2020-2021. Next offered: 2021-2022. 3 credits. Student option grading.

N. Admussen.

People outside China often talk about “China’s rise”, the changes in world economics and politics that come from the increase of the power of the People’s Republic. From a domestic perspective, though, China’s rise represents a promise to regular people that they will lead richer lives, both literally and figuratively. This course will examine the nature and history of that promise as it is experienced through literature, film, and other cultural texts. Why and how do PRC citizens want to get rich, and what happens when they don’t? How does economic class shape identity in contemporary China? Can parts of the population be happy outside of the pursuit of material wealth? All texts in the course will be available in English, and most primary texts will be available in Chinese; writing assignments will be submitted in English. (LL)