ASCL 60.11 Introduction to Chinese Poetry
This course offers an extensive exploration of Chinese poetry spanning three millennia, from the Zhou Dynasty to the 21st century. Beginning with Confucian discussions on the function of poetry, students will explore how poetry has served as a foundation for education, a tool for social engagement, a meditative practice, and an indispensable channel for self-expression. They will examine major poetic forms, influential poets, and the cultural contexts that have shaped Chinese poetry. Additionally, they will learn creative techniques developed by Chinese poets, including call-and-response, metaphorical riddles, and the integration of poetic lines into the visual arts.
Readings in English translations include essential works such as the Book of Songs (Shijing), Nineteen Ancient Poems, Music Bureau ballads, the great Tang masters, Song lyrics, courtesan poetry, Chan Buddhist poetry, the modernist poetry movement of the 1980s, migrant worker poetry of the 2000s, and poems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The course also examines how modern Western poets like Ezra Pound, Eliot Weinberger, and Gary Snyder have drawn inspiration from the Chinese poetic tradition. To enhance their learning experiences, students will participate in workshops led by poet-translator Eleanor Goodman and the renowned Chinese poet Zang Di.
All readings are in English translation. No prior knowledge of the Chinese language or poetry is required.
Department-Specific Course Categories
Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages