Chinese Poetry Then and Now

Dian Li
Fall 2022
Mondays |  
1 PM - 3 PM (AZ Time)
September 26, October 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2022
Course Format: Hybrid
Location: Main Campus
Tuition: $165

Attend In Person OR Online

It is for good reason that China is often called a land of poetry. As the longest continuous form of creative writing in the country, poetry has been a defining feature in the life of China’s elite, from their participation in the civil service exams to their performance of rituals on official and leisure occasions. The ideas for poetry and its genre formation, however, have been a subject of constant debate throughout history, the most radical of which took place at the turn of the nineteenth century, when Chinese men of letters embarked on a journey toward modernity. In this seminar we will trace the origin of poetry and examine the different conceptions of poetics at the critical moments in the development of China’s poetic culture. And we will read exemplary poems from different periods to appreciate the triumph of the human spirit and the power of imagination of Chinese poets.

Hybrid Course Format

  • All classes will be delivered in-person and online via live video streaming. Students will enroll in their preferred format during registration.
  • In-person classes will be held in the Rubel Room at the University of Arizona’s Poetry Center (1508 E Helen St, Tucson, AZ 85721). Enrollment for in-person classes is limited by classroom capacity and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. All students attending on-campus will observe the relevant University of Arizona policies designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 (more information here). Students who enroll to participate in person will also have complete online access to the course, including all class recordings.
  • Online students may attend all classes via live video streaming and will be able to participate in all course Q&A sessions with the professor in real-time. Students may also access class recordings for a limited time to assist those who may not be able to attend the live class times. Online access will be password protected and only available to enrolled students.

Registration Will Open Online:
Monday, August 29, 2022, at 8 AM (AZ Time)

Required Reading
  • No textbook is required. All readings will be distributed to students electronically.

Meet Your Instructor

Professor

DIAN LI is Professor, Department of East Asian Studies. He received his Ph.D. in Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan and then taught at Iowa State University before joining the University of Arizona Department of East Asian Studies in 1999. He is the author of two books and many essays and articles on modern Chinese poetry, fiction, and films.

Location

POETRY CENTER
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.

Street map image of Poetry Center

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