Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology 24, Section 1
Classic Asian Martial Arts Movies (1 unit, P/NP)
Professor George Chang
Wednesday 11:00-1:00, Unit Two All Purpose Room, CCN: 64617

Food for Thought dining arrangements will be discussed in class.

Do you like classic Asian martial arts films? Or wonder how Jet Li and Jackie Chan became stars? Or want to see the early work of today's greatest martial arts director? Do you want to see the obscure Japanese movie that inspired the Star Wars films? Then this is the seminar for you. In some weeks we will screen films in class. In others, teams of students will lead discussions about certain aspects of these films. We'll start with 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' and then move on to classics such as the 'Seven Samurai,' Jet Li's 'Shaolin Temple,' Bruce Lee's 'Chinese Connection,' Jackie Chan's
'Snake in the Eagle's Shadow,' and Toshiro Mifune's 'Hidden Fortress' (the inspiration for Star Wars). In spring 2010, "Classic Asian Martial Arts Movies" will be held in the Unit 2 All-Purpose Room to enhance the living-learning connection in the residence halls. This seminar is part of the Food for Thought Seminar Series. After seminars, students and faculty can continue their discussions over lunch at the Crossroads Dining Commons.

Professor Chang received an A.B. in chemistry from Princeton, where he also studied boxing, and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Cal, where he also studied Tai Chi. He has been a martial arts movie fan for over four decades. In 2005 Professor Chang became the inaugural professor in Cal's new Residential Faculty Program.