EAST 272 - East Asian Book and Literary Cultures

FC ARHU CD WINT

4 credits
This course explores East Asian literary classics as texts, as material objects, as social objects, as part of visual culture. What material forms did texts and images take? Who were the readers? What is an author? Who made the books and how? Why were they circulated, bought and sold, preserved and burned? As we study Chinese, Japanese, and Korean books in Mudd Library and the Art Museum, well do close readings of classical prose and poetry.
Prerequisites & Notes: Previous coursework in literature, book history, East Asian history, art or religion is strongly encouraged.