Fashion Communications between Italy and China: Unfolding a Sartorial Relationship
2025 | Gaoheng Zhang
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Description:
In this in-depth study, author Gaoheng Zhang analyses the relationship between the Italian ready-to-wear fashion industry and the Chinese fast fashion industry, focusing on the 2000s and 2010s.
Looking first at the communication of Italian fashion in China before examining the impact of Chinese migrants and Chinese fashion on the Italian fashion industry, the author unpacks perceived tensions between “made in China” fast fashion and “made in Italy” ready-to-wear that is viewed as “slow” fashion. In doing so, Zhang exposes the nuances, controversies and ambivalences of Italy’s and China’s intertwined fashion systems, revealing not only the competition between these two countries, but also their collaboration.
Applying the lenses of communication, cultural and fashion studies to this analysis, Fashion Communications Between Italy and China reflects on global fashion industries more generally and related topics such as globalized fashion-making, fashion-facilitated transcultural identity construction, and fashion-led negotiation of national economic issues.
Italian Dumplings and Chinese Pizzas: Transcultural Food Mobilities
2025 | Gaoheng Zhang
Publisher: Fordham University Press
Description:
Why is it surprising for some of us to read the pairing of “Chinese” with “pizzas” and “Italian” with “dumplings,” such as proposed in the book’s title? After all, in some regions of the two countries, Italians frequently eat dumplings, and Chinese frequently make baked, steamed, or fried flatbread with toppings or fillings. Furthermore, when dumplings are made in Italy by Chinese migrants or Chinese Italians, or when pizzas are made in China by Italian migrants, Chinese Italians, or Chinese without apparent ties with Italy, are these culinary products Chinese, Italian, Chinese-Italian, or something else? Why do we need to care for such labeling dilemmas?
This book shows how China-Italy food mobilities relayed in popular culture helped forge Chinese and Italians’ socioeconomic identities in recent decades by fundamentally shaping contemporary Chinese and Italian consumer cultures. This book addresses China-Italy food cultures against the backdrops of two epoch-making socioeconomic processes. During the 1980s, Chinese cuisine became the first non-European food widely available in Italy, thanks to the widespread presence of Chinese eateries. Only American fast food, which established itself in Italy around the same time, enjoyed comparable popularity as a destination for Italian culinary tourism. Meanwhile, in the early 1990s, together with American hamburgers and fried chicken, the American food chain Pizza Hut’s pizzas and spaghetti were the first non-Asian foods that post-Mao Chinese customers recognized as “Western.” The book proposes a critical framework that analyzes transcultural food mobilities by seriously assessing the confluence of diverse mobilities and their impact on food cultures. Ultimately, the study shows that a sophisticated interpretation of transcultural food mobilities can help address alterity and build understanding in a world of increasing political and cultural polarization.
Cartografías del bosque
2025 | María Adelaida Escobar Trujillo
Publisher: P & P Editores
Description:
Compuesto por la narrativa de no ficción, la escritura ecológica y la poesía, Cartografías es una carta de amor a una tierra adoptada y a los compañeros u2014humanos, caninos, arbóreos y marinosu2014 que cohabitan el mundo de la autora. Con una voz que evoca Aves migratorias de Mariana Oliver o The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating de Elisabeth Tova Bailey, Escobar ofrece una reflexión conmovedora y, por momentos, agridulce sobre la migración y la pertenencia, las relaciones humanas y naturales, la vida y la muerte, y el lenguaje y la memoria. El mundo no humano, en la lengua lírica de Escobar, no es distante ni anónimo, sino que está profundamente enraizado, específicamente, en los Andes tropicales de Colombia y, sobre todo, las costas boscosas de la Columbia Británica. Desde los líquenes hasta los leones marinos, los colibríes hasta los osos, la prosa vívida de Escobar brinda vitalidad y agencia a su entorno más-que-humano, a la vez que transmite la fragilidad de la vida. Aportación conmovedora a las letras hispano-canadienses, la poética ecofeminista de Cartografías del bosque proporciona una meditación íntima sobre la migración y nuestras relaciones con el mundo natural.
RMST350C
Tending the Renaissance of the World Soul: Byzantium in Italy and the Humanist Dream
Early in the fifteenth century it became painfully obvious that the scattered remains of what had once been glorious Byzantium were sitting on the edge of a historical abyss: it was simply a matter of time before the Ottoman Turks would conquer Constantinople and turn it into the capital of their rapidly expanding, increasingly powerful Empire (1453).
This course explores the extraordinary cultural legacy that Byzantium left to the world in and through its waning. We will focus in particular on the area of the Italian peninsula, where many of the most eminent Byzantine delegates to the Council of Ferrara-Florence (1437-39) ended up settling, “trans-lating” with them the heritage of their Classical, Late Antique and Christian cultures.
One of the most powerful Italian families, the Medicis, sponsored the “rebirth” of the ancient wisdom of the Greeks through a painstaking program of translations largely authored by Marsilio Ficino. But the Florentine Academy also gathered poets, philosophers, painters, musicians. Their works quickly spread throughout Italy, and from there to the rest of the Western world.
The invention of the printing press powerfully helped entertain the dream that the (re)birth of an irenic, peaceful, self-aware and holistic society was possible. The dream of such a felicitous Renaissance only lasted a few decades, engulfed as it was by Europe’s political and confessional tragedies. Even so, its legacy never died out completely, and remained the backbone of Western sapiential awareness.
It is the heritage of this “other” Renaissance which we shall try to track down — a heritage grounded in the ancient teachings of the Hermetic wisdom, advocating through the ages the “golden” possibility of achieving a timeless, truly realized human consciousness.
Language of instruction: English
Instructor: Dr. Daniela Boccassini
Prerequisites: No prerequisites
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Coming soon!
Required texts:
There are no required books to buy. Required texts are available online, or will be made available via Canvas.
Primary Texts (either in PDF or available online) include excerpts from:
— Asclepius
— Nicholas of Cusa
— Marsilio Ficino
— Hypnerotomachia Poliphili
— Erasmus
Recommended texts:
TBA, either in PDF or available online
RMST310C
La Vibe: Francophone Sounds from Afrobeats to V-Pop
In this dynamic and immersive course, we’ll explore the rich musical soundscapes of the Francophone world, from the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats, Konpa and Rumba to the stars of la chanson française, Franco-Rap, V-Pop, and more. Through a mix of listening sessions, readings, historical deep dives, and engaging discussions, students will discover how music reflects cultural identity, social movements, and global trends across French-speaking countries. We’ll analyze lyrics (with translations), learn about different genres and their evolution, and hear from Vancouver-based musicians who will share their insights into the Francophone music scene. The course also offers a tour of UBC’s radio station CiTR. For the final assignment, students will learn to create their own radio segment showcasing a theme, genre, or artist of their choice. The best projects will be featured on CiTR’s radio show Kafou Muzik, giving students a chance to have their work broadcasted to a wider audience. Whether you’re a music lover, a culture enthusiast, or just looking to expand your playlist, this course will have you grooving from start to finish!
Artist Talk and Mini-Performances by:
Joseph Sarenhes – artist of Guinean and Aboriginal origin (Huron-Wendat Nation) from Quebec City, Radio Canada Revelation 2023-24 (Hip Hop, Rock, R&B)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Safj0WHI2O0
Joshua Adhemar – Haitian-Canadian artist from Vancouver (Afrobeat and Compa)
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CijgzNija7D/
X/O – Vietnamese-Canadian Artist from Vancouver (electronic music, trip hop, experimental club)
http://veronx.io
https://x-o-xio.bandcamp.com/album/chaos-butterfly
Language of instruction: English
Instructor: Dr. Antje Ziethen
Prerequisites: Recommended for students in 3rd year or above. Restricted to students with 2nd year standing or above.
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Participation 15%
Presentation 10%
2 Exams 40%
Final Project 35%
Coming soon!
FREN457
English-French Translation
Focusing on the main challenges involved in intercultural communication, this course provides a basic introduction to foundations, principles, practical strategies, and methods of translation from English to French for a variety of literary, general, specialized, professional, and creative purposes. We will explore the strategies and tools translators use when faced with challenging linguistic and cultural differences as well as the artistic, ethical, and political implications of different approaches to translation. The course is divided into several parts, each part corresponding to a field of translation such as the translation of literary, legal, economic, commercial, technical, medical, and political texts, as well as subtitle translation. The course will culminate with a final project accompanied by an essay that introduces the chosen text, analyze some of its linguistic and/or literary features, situate it with respect to its cultural context and target audience, and explain translation choices. Class will be conducted in a combination of French and English.
Language of instruction: French
Instructor: Dr. Irem Ayan
Prerequisite: FREN 357
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Participation, Weekly Homework = 10%
Translation Projects (15% each) = 30%
In-class Tests (15% each) = 30%
Final Project = 30%
Total = 100%
Christophe Gagne, Emilia Wilton-Godberfforde, English-French Translation: A Practical Manual. 1st Edition. Routledge, 2021. ISBN 9781138841956
FREN103
Intensive Beginners’ French
This course addresses the fundamentals of the French language taught with an action-oriented methodology. It is ideal for students who are not complete beginners in French or for those who are fast learners, or for those who have knowledge of another Romance language. You will be introduced to experiential learning in group settings. This may require you to complete a learning task and/or an assignment outside of campus (taking the public transportation and journaling your experience in French).
The teaching approach is learner-centered and inclusive. A learner-centered approach means that you are a part of your learning. Therefore, you will need to develop strategies of learning in conducing both individual and group work. It also means that I will adjust content based on your needs to the best I can to support a positive learning experience for you. An inclusive approach means that everyone matters in regards of your identity (racial, gender, sexual) and/or accessibility needs. In this class, equity matters so you are welcome to use the non-binary pronoun “iel” and further inclusive forms of writing.
This is a 3CR course aligned with CEFR level A1 objectives and its overall language proficiency (general competences, communicative language competences, communicative language activities and strategies). Credits will be granted for FREN 103 (3) or both FREN 101 (3), FREN 102 (3).
Language of Instruction: French
Instructor: Dr. Caroline Lebrec
Prerequisite: No prerequisites
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In-Class Active participation 15%
In-Class Assignments 25%
Experiential Learning Assignments 15%
Interactions with the electronic platform (exercises) 10%
Participation on Canvas Discussions 10%
Final Exam 25%
In-Class Assignments 25%
Experiential Learning Assignments 15%
Interactions with the electronic platform (exercises) 10%
Participation on Canvas Discussions 10%
Final Exam 25%
Coming soon!
ITAL103
Intensive Beginners’ Italian
Master the fundamentals of the Italian language in an intensive course designed for motivated learners, those with knowledge of another Romance language, or those with previous experience in Italian. Aligned with CEFR level A1 objectives.
Language of Instruction: Italian
Instructor: Dr. Luisa Canuto
Prerequisite: Language Placement Test. Recommended: Expertise in another Romance language.
Note: Credit will be granted for ITAL 103 or both ITAL 101, ITAL 102.
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Preparazione 25%
Partecipazione 20%
Quizzes (3) 15%
Prove Orali (2) 15%
Esame Finale Scritto 25%
Partecipazione 20%
Quizzes (3) 15%
Prove Orali (2) 15%
Esame Finale Scritto 25%
All material will be in the Canvas Course Hub.
FREN431
Indigenous Literatures of Francophone Canada
Eruoma Awashish, Nitehik/Dans mon coeur
Depuis le début des années 2000, la littérature et le cinéma autochtones au Québec connaissent un essor important. Dans leurs textes littéraires et œuvres cinématographiques, les créatrices et créateurs issus des Premiers Peuples mettent en avant des demandes de justice, de guérison et de récupération des savoirs autochtones. Si notre époque actuelle continue d’être marquée par le colonialisme de peuplement, la création et l’art de raconter (le storytelling), peuvent-ils constituer des interventions qui dérangent les systèmes qui oppriment ? Pour bien y répondre, nous nous pencherons sur les débats historiques et contemporains sur la langue, la race, la souveraineté et l’exploitation des ressources naturelles au Québec, afin de contextualiser la production des arts narratifs autochtones et de mieux comprendre les épistémologies qui les sous-tendent. La sélection d’œuvres d’écrivain·es et de cinéastes de différentes nations (Innu, Wendat, Cris, Mohawk, Abénaquis, Anishnaabe et Inuit), qui s’expriment dans différents genres littéraires (histoire orale, récit de vie, autofiction, théâtre, nouvelle, poésie) et cinématographiques (archives visuelles, documentaire, long métrage, court métrage, nouveaux médias), mettra en lumière la grande diversité des arts narratifs autochtones au Québec.
Language of Instruction: French
Instructor: Dr. Isabella Huberman
Prerequisite: Recommended for students in 3rd year or above. Restricted to students with 2nd year standing or above.
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Participation active – 15%
Test d’analyse – 15%
Présentation orale – 15%
Journal de bord – 10%
Travail final (45%)
Étape 1 – 10%
Étape 2 – 15%
Étape 3 – 20%
Test d’analyse – 15%
Présentation orale – 15%
Journal de bord – 10%
Travail final (45%)
Étape 1 – 10%
Étape 2 – 15%
Étape 3 – 20%
- An Antane Kapesh, Eukuan nin matshimanitu innu-ishkueu / Je suis une maudite sauvagesse, Montréal, Mémoire d’encrier, 2019 [1976]
- Naomi Fontaine, Kuessipan, Montréal, Mémoire d’encrier, 2011
- Émilie Monnet, Okinum, Montréal, Les Herbes rouges, 2020
- Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau, Ourse bleue, Montréal, Éditions Pleine lune, 2007