Week 4 : Shanghai

China is now a global superpower, but in the early part of the 20th century, it was divided by civil war and lingering imperialist powers. Shanghai became a global city forged in conflicting cultures and economic and political agendas. This final city in your travels provides rich material for understanding diaspora and accretion. From mah-jongg in Amy Tan’s books and movies like Crazy Rich Asians , to music, art, and ceramics, Shanghai has absorbed and then shared the collision of these cultures.

• Select one example of cultural expression from a category on this week’s list. You might choose a specific foodway, a piece of architecture, a piece of music or literature, a type of clothing, or a specific festival. Describe the cultural expression in as much detail as possible.
• Explain why it is historical evidence of Shanghai as a city enriched by diaspora and accretion.
• Include at least one reference to this week’s Resources.

Tutorial for Shanghai