ASCL 60.12 The Natural Environment, Fantastic Worlds, and the Human Realm in Chinese Literature

This course explores how Chinese writers have envisioned the relationship between humans, nature, and the supernatural throughout literary history. It examines the influence of Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian traditions on depictions of both natural and fantastical realms, revealing them as spaces for meditation, transcendence, utopian ideals, and political reflection. Students will investigate how mountains, rivers, animal dens, immortal lands, and human-made spaces—such as shrines and gardens—serve not just as backdrops but as dynamic meeting points infused with cosmic energy and social tensions. Additionally, the course will analyze the ongoing dialogue between civilization and wilderness, the influence of the Chinese literary traditions on contemporary films and visual arts, and how imaginary worlds reflect cultural values and spiritual pursuits.

Readings include classical texts featuring sacred mountains and Daoist cosmology, medieval landscape poetry and essays, utopian visions such as the grotto heavens and the secluded villages, supernatural tales from Journey to the West and Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, alongside works addressing shamanism, alchemy, folk religions, ghost stories, and narratives of pilgrimage, exile, and migration. In addition to literary and philosophical texts, we will analyze how contemporary Chinese films such as Still Life (2006) and Hello, Mr. Tree (2011) respond to the significant environmental changes in 21st-century China and engage with migration, urbanization, and social conflicts. A special event will be led by the contemporary documentary filmmaker Wang Bo, who will engage with students in a discussion on how the people of his hometown, the "Mountain City" of Chongqing, draw upon the region’s unique natural environment and deep-rooted cultural traditions to create various forms of performance and entertainment.

All readings are in English translation. No prior knowledge of Chinese language or literature is required.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:LIT; WCult:NW

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages