CLIT 2090: Orientalism, China, and Globalization
Dr. Daniel Vukovich Venue: CPD-LG59
When: Tuesdays, from 1.30—4.20
ZOOM LOCATION: https://hku.zoom.us/j/6415244213
CLASSWEB: https://sites.google.com/site/honggangdaxue/clit-2090--china--orientalism--and-globalization
Phone: 3917- 7934
Office: 934 RR Shaw Arts Bldg, Centennial Campus Office Hours: By appointment.
Email: [email protected] Please allow for at least a 24 hour response time for email.
Description:
This course focuses on the theory and history of orientalism – the phenomenon and institution --in relation to Ch--ina and the PRC and to Asia and the world. Edward Said’s book Orientalism (1978) helped transform how we understand the “Others” of the West as well as the impact of colonialism and empire on global intellectual political culture. It is a founding text of post-colonial studies, even though Said himself had mixed thoughts about the new field he helped create.
And how do we fit Hong Kong into this mix?
Statement on Learning Outcomes:
The course will develop your skills in textual and cross-cultural analysis, as well as critical thinking. It will do this by placing you into a position where you have to read, explore and then write about orientalism and encounters between China and the West.
The immersion in Sino-Western texts will help develop your knowledge of world and Chinese history.
The course should also develop your intellectual and ethical awareness of encounters with “the Other,” be it Chinese, Hong Kong-ese or otherwise.
Texts:
1. All readings will be scanned and made available to students only at our class googlesite: https://sites.google.com/site/honggangdaxue/clit-2090--china--orientalism--and-globalization
The readings will include the full text of Mackerras, Colin. Sinophiles and Sinophobes: Western Views of China. (Oxford: OUP, 2000). (It is currently out of print.) We’ll also read some of: Edward Said’s Orientalism (New York: Vintage, 1978. Rev ed. 2002); J. Spence's To Change China: Western Advisers in China. (New York: Penguin, 1969. Rep 2002. ); and many other selected texts and video clips
Grading: 100% Continuous Assessment:
*Instructions and a prompt for each essay will be given in class 1-2 weeks before the due date.
* Each paper will be about 1k-1.25k words.
25% Paper 1. Due Date: Week 7
25% Paper 2. Due Date: Week 12
25% Paper Three. Due Date:
Late Work Policy:
1. Late work is NOT accepted, except under verified medical or other emergencies. If you need a brief extension for a particular assignment, you must see me one week in advance and commit to a new due date.
2. You must complete ALL major assignments to pass the course. Don’t skip a paper.
Plagiarism:
A writer who presents the ideas or words of another as if they were the writer’s own commits plagiarism. This is a disciplinary offense that can result in failure or expulsion. Consult http://ec.hku.hk/plagiarism and http://www.hku.hk/plagiarism. Do not offer quotes or paraphrases of others’ work without providing proper citation. If you have any questions see me to steer you right. Learn the MLA format.
SCHEDULE (Tuesdays)
1. This schedule is subject to change. If you miss class it is your responsibility to find out what you missed or if there is new work.
2. http://sites.google.com/site/honggangdaxue/ This is the course website, where you can find lecture notes and related materials.
Week 1, Sep 1: Syllabus Review. Some Keywords & Questions. Capitalism, Orientalism, Globalization (Trade versus Colonialism versus Imperialism)
Readings: Said, “Introduction” to Orientalism. xi—31.
Week 3, Sep 15: Discovering, Revealing China.
Readings : Sinophiles and Sinophobes (S&S), Parts I through IV: pp. ix – 44.
RETURN OF FACE-TO-FACE CLASS OPTION, T.B.A 😊
Week 4, Sep 22: Orientalism and Imperialism Readings:
1. S&S : Jesuits To Opium (19th C.): 47-88.
Week 5, Sep 29: The Qing Fall, Mao Rises. The West Stays Emotional. Readings: S&S: 89-130 (read the few pages from Pearl S. Buck).
*Paper 1 /Response Paper Due Friday
Week 6, Oct 6: From Maoism to Tiananmen Readings: S&S: 130-179.
Week 8, Oct 20: End Game: The Impossibility of Western Approval. Readings: S&S: 179─ 209.
Paper 2 Due Friday
Week 9, Oct 27: The East is a Career
Readings:: Spence, chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5. This is a LOT of reading so start early.
Week 10, Nov 6 : The East is a (Revolutionary) Career Readings: Spence, chapters 7 & 8 & 9.
Week 11, Nov 13 : East/West/Sex I
Readings: Richard Bernstein, The East, the West, and Sex (selections)
Week 12, Nov 20:
Readings: Richard Bernstein, The East, the West, and Sex (selections)
Week 13, Nov 27: CATCH-UP DAY. FINAL DISCUSSION AND ESSAY
Final Essay Due: date t.b.a.
it his work to be always converting the Orient from something into something else: he does this for himself, for the sake of his culture; in some cases for what he believes is the sake of the Oriental.”