ASIAN 2232 - Introduction to China: Getting Rich in Modern China

(crosslisted) CAPS 2232
(GB) (ALC-AS, LA-AS)

Fall. 3 credits. Student option grading.

This class is one of several topical courses in the Department of Asian Studies that serve as introductory courses to important aspects or themes of Chinese civilization (ASIAN 2230, ASIAN 2231, ASIAN 2232). The course assumes little or no background in the study of China. Students may take more than one of these different courses for credit.

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 economic 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? (GE)