Page 103 - SYU Prospectus

English Language & Literature

ENG 506 Fabrications of Identity
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course explores the formations of identity from different perspectives, for example,
national, cultural, psychoanalysis, postmodern, postcolonial, and gender studies. In recog-
nizing the influence of technology and visual culture in the 21st century, it particularly
emphasizes the fabrication of identity in the disciplines of technoscience, consumer culture,
fashion design, media culture and ecology. It examines the representation of identity and
difference in various local, national, and global settings. Drawing upon theoretical writings of
nationalism, psychoanalysis, postcolonialism, postmodernity, gender studies, technoscience
culture, media culture and ecology, and cultural texts from different countries, the course aims
to examine the fabrication of identity from an interdisciplinary and intercultural approach.
Students are encouraged to engage local and global cultural texts in their oral presentation
and written works.

ENG 507 Modern China through Films
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course aims at introducing aspects of the history, politics, society and culture of
Modern China to students through films. The films chosen cover the major historical events in
modern China, starting from the pre-1949 era, the Three-Anti and Five-Anti Movements, the
Cultural Revolution, to the Open Door Policy in 1980s. In addition to considering the historical
contexts, we will also critically analyse issues like environmental problems, sexuality,
marriage, education, one-child policy, economic boom, modernization, etc. Films produced in
Mongolia, the United States and Taiwan are also included as texts for discussion of issues
such as diaspora, minority and nationalism. In some cases, movies are selected for their
literary merit, such as Red Sorghum by Mo Yan and To Live by Yu Hua. Whenever applicable,
students are expected to read the written texts together with seeing their film adaptations, and
in these cases, issues in adaptation such as theories on print and media cultures, modes of
operation, aesthetics and representation will also be discussed.

ENG 508 Science, Technology and Culture
1 Term; 3 Credits
This course explores the impact of the worldwide technoscience revolution of our era in
the cultural context in response to the advent of technology and science in the past two
centuries. Special emphasis will be put on the interaction and reciprocation between tech-
nology and society. As witness to this important moment, we have a vantage point to review
the cultural impact of technology on social, economic, political development since the
industrial revolution in the 18th century. Through readings of critical theories by social critics
and philosophers, the course will analyse some dominant themes of technoscience culture
and society, such as posthumanism and humanity, bioengineering and ethics, feminist
science studies, and digital-game based teaching and learning.

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