Module: Chinese Literature & Film

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Chinese Literature & Film
Module Code	CHN1004 (ITS: ZH290)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	SALIS
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to introduce students to Chinese literature and cinema, and to bring students to a deeper and critical analysis of the literary and cultural value of reading literary texts and media information in the original language. The module shows the value of translation as an aid to intercultural communication and prepares students to appreciate the differences between Chinese and Western literature and films.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse basic Chinese literary texts and images.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the main issues discussed in texts and the media.
3. Identify and analyse key concepts in Chinese literature and cinema.
4. Discuss a Chinese literary text or image and argue a point of view.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Intereactive group sessions
Independent Study	101	Study of language and reading prescribed text and assignment work
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20191	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lijie Shao	Module Teacher	Mengdi Wang, Patrick Cadwell, Qi Zhang, Weiming Liu

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Reflective journal	n/a	50%	As required
Assignment	n/a	50%	Week 1

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Lectures
The historical development of Chinese literature and Chinese language cinema, with a focus on the contemporary literary texts and films. The distinct language form of literary Chinese, diverging from spoken Chinese. The Chinee manner of structuring stories, and the linguistic and non-linguistic means of conveying information in Chinese films. Comparison of the experience of reading texts in Chinese and in English translation; comparison of the experience of reading Chinese literature and of watching the adapted films. The perceived exoticism of Chinese literature and films.

Audio/Visual Presentations
Audio/visual materials, including a series selected Chinese films, will be used and analysed.

Seminars
In addition to the lectures, a series of seminars will provide the opportunities to students to discuss the selected example texts and films and deepen the understanding of Chinese literature and cinema.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Eoyang, Eugene Chen: 1993, The Transparent Eye: reflections on translation, Chinese literature and comparative poetics., University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu,
Lao, She (translated by Shi, Xiangzi): 2005, Camel Xiangzi, The Chinese University Press,
Brownell, S. and Wasserstrom, J.N.: 2002, Chinese femininities, Chinese masculinities: a reader [electronic resource],
Miller, B.S. (ed): 1994, Masterworks of Asian Literature in Comparative Perspective: a Guide for Teaching., M.E. Sharpe, Armonk, N.Y.,
Yingjin Zhang: 2004, Chinese National Cinema, Routledge, New York and London,
Simon Fowler: 2010, 101 Essential Chinese Movies, China Economic Review Publishing, Hong Kong,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None