Readings in Chinese Literature: Poetry of the Northern Song

This course surveys Northern Song poetry, focusing on new styles and genres appearing in the 11th century. Genres include: regulated verse; song lyrics; remarks on poetry (shihua); yuefu and other musical texts. Authors include Ouyang Xiu, Mei Yaochen, Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Yan Shu, Liu Yong, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang. Secondary scholarship in Chinese, Japanese, and English focus on genres and writers. We consider Song poetry in the framework of Chinese literary history, aesthetics of song lyrics, and new poetic styles.