Romance of the Three Kingdoms and The Outlaws of the Marsh, two masterpieces of classical Chinese fiction, are treasure troves of traditional Chinese values. This course will focus on the phenomenon of male bonding, an important facet of masculinity, as illustrated in these two works. Through a close study of major selections from the novels, their filmic adaptations, background materials and critical literature, students will come to understand the nature of close relationships between men in Chinese culture, observable in many social situations even today.