First World Problems: Microcinema and popular media

Course Description

Summary

“First world problems” has become a prolific meme-generating phrase. However, it can have a deeper meaning. How is Chinese and Taiwanese society dealing with their own “First world problems” while simultaneously dealing with those of their own unique histories? These are some of the questions we will explore through the lenses of Chinese language microcinema and other popular media (TV, internet). Students will naturally advance their Mandarin linguistic competencies as they view, analyze and discuss Microcinema from China and Taiwan. A course pack of various Chinese microcinema/other media will be provided.