Individual Course
ChinaX Book Club: Five Authors, Five Books, Five Views of China
Course Length
5 weeks
1–2 hours a week
Featuring faculty from:
Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Enroll as Individual
Certificate Price:
$ 149
Enroll as Individual
Certificate Price:
$ 149
Join Harvard Professor David Wang to explore the dynamics of contemporary China using the tools of close reading, discussion, and analysis.
How can literature and literary analysis allow us to understand the dynamics of contemporary China? ****
China’s historical and cultural transformations, and its imaginary and actual engagements in everyday life are vividly dramatized by five Chinese authors featured in this course. Taught by Harvard faculty member Professor David Wang, this course will employ the tools of close reading, discussion, and analysis to explore issues that concern the Chinese people, and ponder the power (and limitations) of literature in imagining China anew.
Featured Books and Authors:
- China in 10 Wordsby Yu Hua (ISBN: 978-0-307-73979-7)
- Red Sorghum: A Novel of Chinaby Mo Yan (ISBN: 978-0-14-016854-9)
- Lenin's Kissesby Yan Lianke (ISBN: 978-0-8021-2177-6)
- Waitingby Ha Jin (ISBN: 978-0-375-70641-7)
- The Song of Everlasting Sorrowby Wang Anyi (ISBN: 978-0231143431)
This course features interviews and discussions with the authors. More information about each of these authors is available in the syllabus.
The course will be delivered via edX and connect learners around the world.
Self-Guided
edX
- Learning Outcome
Survey the transformation of contemporary Chinese literature
- Learning Outcome
Explore contemporary China from a range of perspectives including politics, ethics, culture, and gender
- Learning Outcome
Express ideas more clearly and confidently through the study of primary and secondary sources
- Learn from Harvard faculty
- Do it on your own time
- Get a certificate, add it to your resume
- Be part of the Harvard Community
Ways to take this course
Audit or Pursue a Verified Certificate
A Verified Certificate costs $149 and provides unlimited access to full course materials, activities, tests, and forums. At the end of the course, learners who earn a passing grade can receive a certificate.
Alternatively, learners can Audit the course for free and have access to select course material, activities, tests, and forums. Please note that this track does not offer a certificate for learners who earn a passing grade.
Faculty
Your Instructor
David Der-wei Wang
David Der-wei Wang holds a joint appointment in Comparative Literature. He is Director of CCK Foundation Inter-University Center for Sinological Studies, and Academician, Academia Sinica.
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