CHIN 089. Tea in China: Cultural and Environmental Perspectives.

Tea is a longstanding and vital constituent of Chinese culture, and also has had a marked and pervasive presence in other parts of the world. This course will focus on “Tea in China” through three major aspects: the cultural, social, and historical; tea cultivation and the natural environment; and the economies of tea. Literary writings and films will be combined with other relevant readings and audio-visual materials for the class. Tea experts and professionals will offer guest lectures to enhance our understanding of tea from bio-ecological and botanical perspectives. As a component of this interdisciplinary cultural course, students will have the chance to participate in”sipping culture,” and will taste major kinds of tea from Mainland China and Taiwan during the semester.
All required readings/screenings are in English or English translation/subtitled. Chinese language ability will be an asset, but it is not required.
Humanities.
1 credit.
Eligible for ENVS
Catalog chapter: Modern Languages and Literatures: Chinese
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/chinese

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