East Asian Lang & Literature 239 - CONTEMP CHI WOMEN'S FICTION

An exploration of major themes through close readings of contemporary fiction by women from China, Taiwan, Tibet, and Chinese diasporas. Theme for 2013: Intimacy. How do stories about love, romance, and desire (including extramarital affairs, serial relationships and love between women) reinforce or contest norms of economic, cultural, and sexual citizenship? What do narratives of intimacy reveal about the social consequences of economic restructuring? How do pursuits, realizations, and failures of intimacy lead to personal and social change? Readings are in English translation and no background in China or Chinese is required.