Chinese Literature and the World: The Tang, Song, and Yuan Dynasties

One can see at least three types of relationships between Chinese literature and the world during the Tang (618-917), Song (960-1279), and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties: three periods in Chinese history where China’s openness to the rest of the world is well-documented and incontrovertible.

First, the introduction of Buddhism to China through Buddhist scripture translation had a profound impact on the lexicon of the Chinese language and the genres of Chinese literature. Second, Chinese literary representations of foreign goods, cultures, and peoples and literary transmission resulted from China's contact with the world during these three periods. Third, Chinese ethnocentric and protonationalistic sentiments produced some dramas, histories, and lyrics on China's war and diplomacy with its foreign neighbors.

In this essay, I classify the course materials I specify according to these three types of relations. The syllabus I outline below is for a twelve-week semester system. For the readings mentioned, see the works-cited list at the end of the essay for full bibliographic details.