ASIA 038. The Promise and Peril of Dialogues: Theory, Practice, Comparison

(Cross-listed with CHIN 038, LITR 038CH)
Dialogue often connotes inclusiveness, openness, conflict resolution, and truth-seeking. It is both a civic process and a literary form most famously associated with the philosophical writings of Plato. Nonetheless, even in the Platonic dialogues not every voice or perspective is always equally represented, thereby exposing the hidden dangers of a seemingly democratic form. This course looks into the promise and peril of the dialogic form through a diverse selection of premodern Chinese writings we now separate into different genres: poetry, history, philosophy, as well as more technically-oriented works like medicine, civil engineering, and military strategies. It highlights a vibrant tradition of dialogic compositions that are not always recognized as such but has tremendous implications for our understanding of the form. In addition, students also read foundational works from both other literary traditions and from modern theories for context and comparison. All readings in English, with Chinese originals available to the more advanced students.
1 credit
Spring 2024. Yao.
Catalog chapter: Asian Studies
Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/asian-studies

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