This course explores key concepts in the analysis of gender relations in China. It includes both historical and contemporary perspectives on the evolution of gender roles in Chinese society. It aims to present students with a broad vision of the major tensions between the genders and draws examples from a range of genres - such as literary texts, film, historical documents, newspaper articles, magazine advertisements, and poster art. The course presents a uniquely Chinese perspective on the study of gender in a global context. It facilitates an important cross-cultural comparison for those students studying gender while simultaneously providing Asian Studies students with fundamental knowledge of men-women relations, sexuality and the impact of these on social and political structures in this important East Asian culture. English is the language for instruction and for all readings.

32 contact hours per semester.

Brownell, S and Wasserstrom, J. Chinese Femininities, Chinese Masculinities: A Reader, Berkeley, University of California Press, 2002.

Edwards, L. Men and Women in Qing China: Gender in the Red Chamber Dream, Hawaii University Press, 2000.