82-439 Black Myth: Wukong & Journey to the West

《黑神話: 悟空》与 《西游记》Spring 2025, 9 Units

Prerequisite: 82-332 or permission of the instructor. Students who have not completed the prerequisites (82-3XX, the Advanced level of Chinese) can contact Prof. Wu for approval. 82-439 is an elective course for the Chinese minor and major, and meets the communication and culture category of CMU’s General education requirements.

I. Course Description & Objectives 课程描述与目标:

China's 3A game "Black Myth: Wukong" (黑神话: 悟空) became a global sensation after its launch on August 20, 2024. The game captivated gamers worldwide with its stunning visuals and profound reinterpretation of the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West" (西游记). This novel tells the story of Tang Sanzang (唐三藏) and his disciples, Sun Wukong (孙悟空), Zhu Bajie (猪八戒), and Sha Wujing (沙悟净), as they journey westward to obtain Buddhist scriptures, overcoming 81 trials along the way.

This course explores Chinese culture, literature, and language through both the video game "Black Myth: Wukong" and the novel "Journey to the West." The course includes an introduction to "Black Myth: Wukong" and its societal impact, examining the game's development, reception, and cultural significance both in China and globally. It also involves a close reading of the novel "Journey to the West" as a cornerstone of Chinese literature, with analysis of key selections, discussion of its historical value and modern influence. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the novel and game explores their relationship, highlighting similarities and differences in character creation, and discussing cultural inheritance and innovation. Through these explorations, students will enhance their understanding of Chinese culture and history while improving their Chinese language proficiency.

Learning Outcomes 学习成果:

At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

II. Instructor 教师:

Professor Sue-mei Wu 吴素美, Ph.D. Teaching Professor of Chinese Studies,
Coordinator of Chinese Studies, Chinese Major Advisor, Dept. of Languages,
Cultures and Applied Linguistics (LCAL), E-mail: suemei@andrew.cmu.edu
Office: Posner Hall 240 (POS 240), Phone: (412) 268-5949
Office Hours: T & R 3:30-4:30pm; or by appointment

Students are strongly encouraged to communicate with me after class to solve any problems in study, improve study methods, etc. You should also feel free to make appointments with me at times other than my office hours if necessary.

III. Class Schedule & Rooms 上课时间与教室:

82-439: Black Myth: Wukong & Journey to the West
《黑神話: 悟空》与《西游记》

IV. Learning Materials 学习教材:

Multimedia and Web materials: We will mainly use digital and website materials. The website information will be announced at the beginning of the semester. Students are required to make full use of the assigned multimedia and web materials to prepare outside of class time. Most of the homework for each topic will be done with the help of the multimedia and web materials. Students will find it beneficial to prepare, read and watch the online materials as much as possible to lay a good foundation for further Chinese culture learning, understanding, experiencing and discussion.

82-439 Canvas <https://www.cmu.edu/canvas> Please check CMU 82-439 Canvas regularly for course information, learning materials, grades & announcements, etc.

V. Requirements 课程要求:

  1. Class Attendance and Participation 出席与参与:
    The class format is generally divided into two parts: Part 1: fundamental language and culture learning and discussion about Black Myth: Wukong and the Journey to the West novel. Part 2: hands-on Black Myth: Wukong game immersion experiences and reflection. Class attendance is IMPORTANT AND REQUIRED. Attendance and performance will be recorded daily. If, for some justifiable reason, you are not able to come to class on a certain day, advance notice to the instructor is required, except for emergency cases. Class attendance and participation account for 30% of your total grade. If your absences from the class exceed 3 class hours, you will get a zero for attendance and participation.
  2. Homework and Reflections 作业与心得 :
    Homework and Reflections will be assigned regularly. They will account for 10% of your total grade. Late submission will result in a deduction of points from your grade. 5 points out of 100 will be deducted for each day the homework is late. Homework received more than one week after the due date will receive no credit.
  3. Web Reading Assignments 网上阅读作业:
    In order to broaden your understanding of the course content, there will also be periodic web reading assignments for you to complete. The web reading assignments will be part of your homework grade. Please check CANVAS regularly for course announcements.
  4. Tests and Quizzes 考试:
    There will be periodic tests and quizzes arranged during the semester. They will account for 10% of your total grade. Make-up tests will not be permitted except in the case of illness or emergency.
  5. Reports 报告:
    The Reports will be “Show and Tell” 我来告诉你 style. Each student will share their interests and learning experiences related to the course content and activities. They aim to help students explore and engage with various individual interests, skills and studies and to create potential interdisciplinary innovative group work and projects. The guidelines will be provided during the semester. They will account for 20% of your total grade.
  6. Term Project Showcase & Presentation 学期项目及报告:
    There will be a term project showcase and presentation for you to apply your learning to some cultural events to share your learning and have some impact. Term project showcase information and guidelines will be provided during the semester. It will count as 30% of your grade.
  7. Workload 工作量:
    This course requires a substantial time commitment outside of class. Students should plan to spend an average of five to six hours per week preparing for class. To assure the most beneficial and rewarding use of contact time with your instructor and classmates, preparation in advance for each class is important and necessary. In class, students are expected to have already familiarized themselves with the assigned readings and class materials, and to have completed the homework related to the topic for the class discussion. In class you should be ready to have fun and enjoy participating in the hands-on experiential sessions.

VI. Grades 成绩:

The final course grade will consist of the following components:

Calculation     Distribution Total   100%
A = 90 & above  Class Attendance and Participation
                (including the hands-on sessions)      30%

B = 82 & above  Homework and Reflections               10%
C = 70-81       Tests and Quizzes                      10%
D = 60-69       Reports                                20%
R = Below 60    Term Project Showcase (15%) &
                Presentation (15%)                     30%

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Department of Modern Languages' Statement on Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion
The Department of Modern Languages, a unique space in which humanistic and linguistic research and teaching intersect, is firmly committed to building a community that is radically inclusive of people of all backgrounds while simultaneously recognizing the inherent social, personal, political, and institutional racism pervasive in higher education. We commit, as individuals and as a department, to actively engage in research and teaching practices that prioritize social justice, and are anti-racist, anti-sexist and anti-discriminatory of LGBTQ people. In doing so, we strive to provide a safe, respectful environment that promotes the success of all individuals, and that fosters a space for dialogue.

We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or disrespect. In our role as researchers and teachers in the Humanities and Social Sciences, we believe that it is central to our work to document, interrogate, and challenge societies and social relationships, and the structures of power and systems of oppression that discriminate against and inflict multiple forms of violence upon certain groups. We carry out this work through a critical, historical and contemporary analysis of language, texts, films, and other cultural processes and products. Through our work as humanists, social scientists, and linguists, we aim to promote a better understanding of how these systems operate and intersect across time and in different cultures in order to denounce inequality and to create a more just society for all, locally and globally.

Accommodations for Disabilities

If you have a disability and are registered with the Office of Disability Resources, I encourage you to use their online system to notify me of your accommodations and discuss your needs with me as early in the semester as possible. I will work with you to ensure that accommodations are provided as appropriate. If you suspect that you may have a disability and would benefit from accommodations but are not yet registered with the Office of Disability Resources, I encourage you to contact them at access@andrew.cmu.edu.

Academic Integrity

Students who copy assignments, allow assignments to be copied, or cheat on essays/tests/projects will fail the assignment on the first offense and fail the entire course on the second. I will also contact Student Affairs on the first offense and have them decide whether a Review Board hearing is necessary. I take this responsibility very seriously. If you are caught cheating, I will report your behavior to Student Affairs. If you are unsure about your particular situation, please ask me for clarification before you turn in an assignment as your own work. I encourage you to be aware of these policies for all of your courses and faculty.

Except for situations in which you will be working with a partner or in groups, you are expected to do your own work. Any compromise of academic integrity will not be tolerated and will result in failure of the exercise and possibly the entire course, and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university. Any written or exercise help given by the assistant must be noted in a visible place on the work. If you have questions, speak to me or visit: https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/academic-integrity.html .

Health & Well-being

Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle and take care of yourself by eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting enough sleep, and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress.

All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. There are many helpful resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for support sooner rather than later is almost always helpful.

If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, I strongly encourage you to seek support. Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) can help: call 412-268-2922 and visit their website at http://www.cmu.edu/counseling/. Consider reaching out to a friend, faculty or family member whom you trust for help getting connected to support. Other support networks on campus include; Re: solve Crisis Network: 888-796-8226, CMU Police: 412-268-2323 (on campus); 911 (off campus)

CaPS has also set up virtual well-being services, including emotional support 24/7 and scheduled appointments with therapists in partnership with TimelyCare. Please see this website for more information on this new resource: https://www.cmu.edu/wellbeing/resources/timely-care.html

Timely Care

We are writing to remind you of a new resource available to you: TimelyCare! Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) has partnered with TimelyCare to offer expanded availability of mental health services across a wider range of days, times and locations. TimelyCare provides on-demand self-care content through its app and emotional support services with professional counselors, 24/7, from anywhere in the United States – at no cost! TimelyCare’s services include:

****Students who have used TimelyCare advise that before a crisis occurs, you fill out the lengthy information needed to provide care so that if a crisis arises, you can get help as quickly as possible.

Use of Mobile Devices, Laptops, Phones, etc.

As research on learning shows, unexpected noises and movements automatically divert and capture people's attention, which means you are affecting everyone’s learning experience if your cell phone, pager, laptop, etc. makes noise or is visually distracting during class. I would prefer that you not have any devices with you. So please, if you must,

If you have any problems, questions, comments or suggestions, please remember that I am always available to you either during office hours or by appointment.

Have fun and good luck with your semester!!