In this course, students will explore a range of creative texts—including fiction, nonfiction, films, and video games—that depict Hong Kong's unique physical and cultural landscapes. Through the lens of storytelling, students will engage with the themes of modern life, urbanization, cultural identity, and transnationalism. By analyzing and discussing creative texts, students will examine how individual and collective memories shape narratives and influence perceptions of Hong Kong. Additionally, students will develop their creative writing skills by reflecting on these themes and crafting original narratives.

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1. Analyze various creative texts—including fiction, essays, and films—related to Hong Kong's physical and cultural landscape, identifying their unique stylistic and thematic elements along with how they approach their depictions of Hong Kong.
2. Examine themes of modern life, urban development, cultural identities, and transnationalism in selected texts, and articulate how these themes relate to the experiences of both people living in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong diaspora.
3. Engage with diverse voices and perspectives, fostering an understanding of how cultural backgrounds and individual experiences shape narratives.
4. Develop creative writing and storytelling skills through textual analysis, class discussion, individual reflection, and the creation of original narratives that reflect themes and ideas explored in this course.

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Storytelling
Urban and geographical landscapes
Hong Kong culture and identity
Transnationalism
Urbanization
Individual and collective memory

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A two-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial every week

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Class participation, discussion, in-class writing exercises (20%)
Two creative writing assignments (60%)
Reflection paper (20%)

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Excerpts from a range of creative texts will be available via Moodle. Some examples:

Fung, Pik-Shuen. Ghost Forest. One World, 2021.
Lee, Janice Y.K. The Expatriates. Penguin Publishing Group, 2016.
Sheung-King. Batshit Seven. Penguin Canada, 2024.
 

This course will also examine how Hong Kong is depicted in popular media, such as film, television, and video games. Some examples:

Pacific Rim. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Legendary Pictures, 2013.
Sleeping Dogs. United Front Games / Square Enix, 2012.