San Antonio College Library

First published in 1934, Border Town brings to life the story of Cuicui, a young country girl coming of age during a time of national turmoil. Like any teenager, Cuicui dreams of romance and finding true love. She's spellbound by the local custom of nighttime serenades, and she is deftly pursued by two eligible brothers. But Cuicui is also haunted by the imminent death of her grandfather, a poor and honorable ferryman who is her only family. As she...

"'Made in China' has become a tag familiar to all Westerners, but China's shift to a market economy in the early 1980s released not only the industrial but also the vast creative energies of China's citizens to produce a cultural renaissance unique in the contemporary world." "The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture is the first reference book to digest this vast cultural output and make it accessible to the English-speaking world. The Encyclopedia...

Festivals of life nourish us with ancient rituals in a fast-changing world. Follow two families in Beijing, China as they prepare for and celebrate the New Year. See experiences and customs that reveal a modern face onold traditions. Learn about China's Spring Festival, which focuses on family and good fortune for the New Year ahead, and get a real-world glimpse at how festivals of life nourish us with ancient rituals in a fast-changing world.

Gives informative tips on the do's and don'ts of custom in China and provides interesting insights into the social and business attitudes of the Chinese people.

Historically, the traditional extended family has been China's built-in social security system. Today, under the pressures of family size limits, rapid urbanization, and Western cultural influences, China's social stability is being stressed to the breaking point. This program captures a transitional phase of Chinese history in which many parents are struggling to instill Confucian values and their own received wisdom about life into their children...

Höllmann tracks the growth of food culture in China from its earliest burial rituals to today's Western fast food restaurants. He details the food practices of major Chinese religions and the significance of eating and drinking in rites of passage and popular culture. From the invention of noodles to the causes of modern-day food contamination, he uncovers fascinating aspects of daily Chinese life.

It seems like the most basic task in the world, but when you're a Westerner in the middle of Beijing or Shanghai, ordering a meal takes on unforeseen challenges. This program demonstrates Chinese vocabulary and phrases used to identify and ask for food in a restaurant. It also shows food being ordered from a noodle stand, presents ways to talk about food preferences, and shows how to pay the bill. Cultural topics include a showcase of the huge range...