Comparative Literature: A Concise Course: Teaching Material for the Reform and Opening-up Pilot Program of Talent Cultivation Mode by the Ministry of Education

Author: Yue Daiyun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: As a comparative literature textbook aimed at "a wide range of students and general readers," the book's outstanding feature lies in its simple and accessible language while being rich and comprehensive in content. It introduces and explains nearly all the major aspects of comparative literature as it has developed to date, reflecting the guiding principle of "striving to align with the dynamic nature and development of the comparative literature discipline." The book consists of 13 chapters, with the first two chapters focusing on elaborating the disciplinary nature of comparative literature and the significance of conducting comparative literature research in the current era of cultural transformation. Chapters 3 and 4 provide a concise review of the discipline's development history and its rise in China. Subsequently, each chapter introduces distinctive research branches within comparative literature, such as thematic studies, influence studies, translation studies, genre studies, comparative poetics, interdisciplinary research, etc., with vivid examples and lively writing. At the end of the book, there is an appendix featuring Professor Meng Qingshu's essay "Chinese Comparative Literature in the Context of Globalization" from Northeast Normal University, reflecting the "current state of Chinese comparative literature development" (as noted in the book's postscript). Additionally, a reading list is included, compiling 17 essential or recommended books. Overall, the book successfully fulfills the author's original intention of writing it and serves as an ideal choice for introductory-level readers of comparative literature.