Studies in Chinese Literature: The Enchanting World of Chinese Ghost Tales & Culture

Course Number: 82-435

Focusing on a seminal work of 17th-century Chinese literature, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (Liaozhai Zhiyi), this course offers students an opportunity to delve into an enlightening journey through a myriad of peculiar and varied tales, exploring ghosts and anomalies that are integral to Chinese culture. Throughout the semester, students will be exposed to a diverse range of these strange tales, encompassing concise accounts of bizarre entities and elaborate narratives of enchanting dreams, spectral hauntings, and mystical fox romances. Additionally, students will be asked to read scholarly articles in English, focusing on the ghost literature and culture of traditional China. These academic writings serve as invaluable resources, allowing students to explore the unique characteristics of the traditional Chinese concept of ghosts and the cultural perspectives that inspired the creation, compilation, and dissemination of these ghost stories in that era.

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Units: 9
Prerequisite(s): 82-324