The course introduces the cardinal texts and main authors of the Chinese literary traditions, as well as the main literary genres, trends and movements that developed in the pre-imperial, imperial and modern period, contextualizing them against their respective historical and socio-cultural background. During the course, the students will be exposed to and read a broad and diverse selection of different kinds of texts from different authors and time periods in English translation. They will familiarize themselves with the most important literary genres and styles of Chinese literature, learning how to approach and analyse a text independently. In particular, the course will focus on masterpieces of the Chinese literary tradition, both premodern and modern, providing an exhaustive introduction to the development of Chinese literature across the ages. Some of the topics that will be addressed are the “Confucian” Classics, the philosophical Masters, Tang poetry, “marvel tales” (chuanqi), the development of the novel and the Four Great Classical Novels, the May Fourth Movement and the development of modernist literature and poetry in the 20th century.

The course gives the students knowledge about the history of tea, the many varieties of tea, its production process, proper preparation with correct tea tools and tea-drinking etiquette. Equipped with the basic knowledge about tea, the wisdom and philosophy behind Chinese tea rituals will be discussed in the class. The course consists of 28 hours of contact lessons which include 2 workshops. It also requires some home reading and practice.

Students participate in choir rehearsals, seminars and concerts. Students who take individual lessons will fully participate in the work of a choir and also participate in 14 academic hours of individual lessons.

The course offers an overview of the complex relationship between culture and communication. The main focus is on the effects of mass communication on culture and vice versa. The effects are examined through sociological, psychological, economical, political and philosophical views on the subject.

Comparing political systems - why it is needed. An overview of the main political trends and political systems in selected countries. The main theories which shape our understanding of comparative politics. Concentrated overviews of the major topics will be given in the lectures. The topics will be further deepened by students’ independent work, which involves exploring literature, preparing for discussions in the seminars, etc., including independent home assignments (i.e. essays). Students prepare for the exam.

Comparing political systems - why it is needed. An overview of the main political trends and political systems in selected countries. The main theories which shape our understanding of comparative politics. Concentrated overviews of the major topics will be given in the lectures. The topics will be further deepened by students’ independent work, which involves exploring literature, preparing for discussions in the seminars, etc., including independent home assignments (i.e. essays). Students prepare for the exam.