Shanghai and Hong Kong: Chinese Cinema, Culture, Society

Shanghai and Hong Kong: Chinese Cinema, Culture, Society
China - Shanghai and Hong Kong
June 21 - July 19, 2008

Check In: June 21
First Day of Class: TBA
Last Day of Class: TBA

Instructor

Sheldon Lu
shlu @ucdavis.edu
B.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1984.
Ph. D., Indiana University, Bloomington, 1990.
Areas of Specialization: world cinema, postsocialist cinema, transnational Chinese cinemas, modern Chinese literature and visual culture, traditional Chinese narrative, cultural theory, globalization studies, East-West comparative poetics.
Check Out: July 19

Class Size: 18 - 30

Shanghai and Hong Kong have been China's great cultural and economic centers. They are also among the most cosmopolitan cities of the world. While Shanghai was the center of the Chinese film industry up to 1949, Hong Kong is the seat of one of the most dynamic and influential cinemas in the contemporary world. This course is a study of Chinese cinema, culture, and society by focusing on films that are set in these two cities. We examine the themes, styles, stars, and directors of Chinese cinema and at the same time understand Chinese culture and society through the lens of cinema. We will start in Shanghai, and then travel to Hong Kong. Students will make numerous fieldtrips in addition to viewing films. Shanghai University and Hong Kong University will be our host universities.
All Chinese films are subtitled in English. No prerequisites.