For centuries, Chinese poets have used love as both a theme and a lens to explore life’s deepest emotions. In this five-week seminar, we will journey through China’s poetic tradition—from ancient times to the early 20th century—tracing how love is expressed, transformed, and remembered. Structured in five chapters—“The First Sighting,” “Romancing the Heart,” “Heavenly Pleasure,” “Longing in Parting,” and “Regret for Loss”—the course examines how emotional expression evolves across dynasties and styles. Participants will read richly figurative poems in translation, exploring themes of joy, heartache, beauty, and spiritual yearning. We will also discuss the role of poetry in ritual, public life, and private contemplation. No prior knowledge of Chinese is required. This seminar offers a rare glimpse into a culture where love is elevated into an art form and emotion itself becomes a path to aesthetic and personal insight.
Registration Opens Online:
Monday, August 4, 2025, at 8 AM (AZ Time)
