CN3305 Constructing Gender in Chinese Literature

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students taking Joint Honours Chinese Studies, and those with an appropriate level of Chinese language. This module is restricted to 35 students. Preference will be given to those studying on Joint Chinese Studies degree pathways.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr P A Hunt

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module explores how gender has been represented and constructed in Chinese literature from the 20th century onwards. In this period, as the region experienced extraordinary sociopolitical upheaval, ideas about gender and sexuality also underwent a series of transformations. In this module, we consider how these transformations were reflected, endorsed or critiqued through literary texts. In discussing key texts from this period, we will cover topics such as: literary discussions of masculinity, femininity and queerness; the connection between socialism and gender ideologies; the connection between capitalism and gender ideologies; gender and nation-building; race and gender; and the link between gender, postcolonialism and ideas of the ‘Sinophone’. Following a broadly chronological course through the long 20th century, this course gives students an overview of how gender relates to the major historical events of the period as well as contemporary Chinese and Sinophone societies.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1.5 hours

Scheduled learning hours

15

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

126

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of the module, students will be able understand the many different ways in which gender and sexuality have changed in the 20th and 21st centuries in China and Sinophone regions, in terms of attitudes and lived experiences.
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to read and analyse representations and constructions of gender and sexuality in key literary texts of the period.
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to broadly understand and employ different theoretical approaches to gender in China and Sinophone regions.
  • By the end of the modules, students will have an overview of how gender relates to the major historical events of the period, as well as contemporary Chinese and Sinophone societies.