CHNSE254

This course examines various issues of identity through folklore practices in East Asia with focus on China. Topics include: language, ethnicity, myth and ritual, rites of passage, festivals, popular culture, folk arts, and Chinese/Asian American folklore and identity. Texts include those of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist thoughts and of disciplinary studies. By surveying the topics, analyzing the key texts and contexts, the participants will not only gain the knowledge of the topics but also learn to apply some disciplinary methods to interpret text and practice. The course will include lectures, discussions, debates, presentations, and various projects.