GENERAL EXAMINATION FIELDS

Classical Chinese Literature

All fields in classical Chinese Literature (except Chinese Literary Theory and Criticism) will involve recognition knowledge of a set body of primary texts. In addition to those texts, a student will be expected to have a general knowledge of literary history and bibliography in the field covered, as well as knowledge of a set body of secondary works. The classical literature component of a general examination will include a "pre-generals" oral examination of two to three hours in length, in which the students will be expected to identify a selection of texts and answer specific questions regarding literary history, bibliography, secondary scholarship, and cultural context. This "pre-generals" examination will normally be taken one to two weeks before the general examination. A student who does not pass the "pre-generals" examination may, with special permission, be permitted to go on to take the scheduled general examination; the classical literature component of a general examination will not, however, be ratified until the student passes the "pre-generals" qualifying examination (which may be taken repeatedly). Because of the nature and diversity of "classical literature," some latitude will be permitted in the definition of fields. Students planning to do a dissertation in classical literature should choose one of the major fields below. Other students may choose one of the minor fields. Note that the minor fields include classical narrative (and, in some cases, drama).

Major Fields:
Classical Chinese Literature:
Classical prose and poetry, as well as literary criticism from antiquity through the Qing. Classical Chinese Poetry:
Chinese poetry (shi, ci, and qu) from antiquity through the Qing.

Minor Fields (these include literature in all genres, including literary criticism. Note that these fields are not conceived purely sequentially-field definitions overlap:)
Six Dynasties and Tang Literature
Tang and Song Literature
Classical Literature and the Southern Song through the Qing
Chinese Literary Theory and Criticism (antiquity through the Qing)

SPRING COURSES

Chinese Literature 267r. Topics in Tang Literature: Seminar
East Asian Studies 98e. Junior Tutorial-Introduction to Chinese Poetry