CHIN 065. Peking Opera and Globalization

(Cross-listed as LITR 065CH)
By using cultural globalization as an explanatory framework built on the foundation of historical studies, this course enables students to conduct critical and interdisciplinary analysis of Peking opera, a living theatrical tradition commonly considered to be the "national theater" of China. The central question we ask is: How have the cultural dimensions of globalization-transnational flows of technology, media, and popular culture-intensified Peking opera's connection to urban culture, archival digitalization, visual arts, politics of style, Chinese nationalist ideology and intercultural influences in America? Students not only engage with scholarly literature that cuts across different disciplines and genres (including theater anthropology, cultural history, cinema, music, literature, and art history), but also are introduced to a rich body of sources, ranging from photographs to opera films and documentaries. They have the opportunity to learn some basics of singing and movement and conduct field trips to study with Peking opera troupes in the Chinese community in Philadelphia.

No previous knowledge of Chinese literature or culture is required. All texts are provided in English translation.
Humanities.
1 credit.
Eligible for ASIA, GLBL-Paired
Catalog chapter: Modern Languages and Literatures: Chinese
Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/chinese

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