The Division of Chinese offers the following GER-PE courses in either English or Chinese

HC801 UNDERSTANDING CHINESE CINEMAS (in Chinese) 3.0 AU

Prerequisite: Nil
Mutually exclusive with: HC802E
This course mainly focuses on films produced by Chinese communities living in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China. The geographical demarcation also marks the different cultural and social contexts in which the films are made and marketed at. The films selected for cultural appreciation in the course not only represent the major cultural developments and trends they have contributed to world cinema but also the intellectual meanings and emotional impact they play among Chinese and non-Chinese audiences. By exploring different varieties of Chinese cinemas, students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the societies in which they originate from and the inner and cross-cultural dialogues that preside within. The course is conducted in Mandarin.

HC802E UNDERSTANDING CHINESE CINEMAS (in English) 3.0 AU

Prerequisite: Nil
Mutually exclusive with: HC801
This course mainly focuses on films produced by Chinese communities living in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China. The geographical demarcation also marks the different cultural and social contexts in which the films are made and marketed at. The films selected for cultural appreciation in the course not only represent the major cultural developments and trends they have contributed to world cinema but also the intellectual meanings and emotional impact they play among Chinese and non-Chinese audiences. By exploring different varieties of Chinese cinemas, students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the societies in which they originate from and the inner and cross-cultural dialogues that preside within.

HC803 CHINESE TRADITION & SOCIETY (in Chinese) 3.0 AU

Prerequisite: AO Level Chinese Language (B4) or Equivalent
Mutually exclusive with: HC804E
Introduction to Chinese philosophy; Confucianism; Taoism; Buddhism; Chinese culture in East Asia; Western impact on Chinese culture in late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; Modernization; Continuity and changes in traditional Chinese culture.

HC804E CHINESE TRADITION & SOCIETY (in English) 3.0 AU
Prerequisite: Nil
Mutually exclusive with: HC803
Introduction to Chinese philosophy; Confucianism; Taoism; Buddhism; Chinese culture in East Asia; Western impact on Chinese culture in late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; Modernization; Continuity and changes in traditional Chinese culture.

HC805 DIRECTED READINGS IN MODERN CHINESE SONG LYRICS (in Chinese) 3.0 AU

Prerequisite: AO level Chinese Language (B4) or equivalent
The aim of this course is an appreciation of selected works of modern Chinese song lyrics since the 1970s. Readings will include literary songs, folk tunes and ballads, popular music, and schoolyard or student-written songs among others. The course will guide students in understanding the different thematic genres, narrative forms, expressive styles and creative methods of lyric writing, as well as the social and cultural contexts of the song lyrics. After completing this course, students are expected to appreciate modern Chinese song lyrics from cultural and literary perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of modern Chinese song lyric culture. Note: Students who have taken LC111 should not take HC805.

HC806 Appreciation of Chinese Folk Operatic performance (in Chinese) 3.0 AU

In this course students will view Chinese folk operatic performances of different styles prevailing in Mainland China and Taiwan. The performances selected for appreciation and analysis range from northern Beijing opera to southern Min opera, with a wide-ranging selection of many regional forms. Stylistic qualities of each art form will be explored. Traditional themes such as love and separation, loyalty and betrayal and historical tales will be discussed. This course is an effort to introduce students to traditional Chinese folk performance by combining multimedia presentations with textual background readings. The course is conducted in Chinese.