The course will delve into a range of themes and methodologies with regard to literary, visual and cultural studies. Situated in the broad geographical scope of China and the world, the course offers students contemporary theoretical discussions and historical knowledge of literary and visual analyses, complex cultural exchanges between China and its "others" through critical reading of literature and viewing of films and other media. The thematic focus will be varied in different terms. The course covers aspects of China's literary, visual, and cultural transformation in process of modernization and globalization through comparative perspectives. Students will be trained to conduct good analysis of literary and visual texts as well as be guided to engage in theoretically-informed critical thinking on a variety of literary and cultural issues in the present age of globalization and cultural hybridity.