In this course, a selection of audio, video, and print media on pop music, food, fashion, and social media, among other aspects of popular culture In Taiwan and China, will serve as a source of authentic input for the study. Students will explore the role of pop culture in shaping modern Taiwanese and Chinese societies through in-class discussions while developing their competencies in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Mandarin Chinese. Students will even create their pop culture pieces!
Students will explore concepts such as how popular culture affects and is affected by the very different political systems between China and Taiwan; what was the effect of China’s opening (and now closing) on popular culture there; how have the pop cultures of Japan and Korea and western consumer culture influenced pop culture in Taiwan and China.
A course pack of various Mandarin Chinese language materials pertaining to pop culture in Taiwan and China will be provided.
Learning Outcomes:
By end of term, students will be able to:
-understand, discuss and critique various aspects of Taiwanese and Chinese popular culture
-analyze the ideas and the concepts from the perspectives of the popular cultures
-raise valid and rational questions regarding the popular cultures
-analyze and discuss these questions in Chinese
-conduct independent research and form ideas and opinions based on their research
-logically state and express their thoughts coherently and cohesively in Chinese.
Delivery Method: Hybrid
Prerequisites:
At least two terms of college-level Chinese. For registration, students send a request email to the teacher (glin@bennington.edu).
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 3:40PM - 5:30PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 15
Course Frequency: Every 2-3 years
Categories: All courses , Chinese , Hybrid
Tags: Cultural criticism , discussion , film and video , Popular music , visual culture