This research seminar is designed to examine Chinese aesthetic theory as it is manifested in both ancient and contemporary landscape painting. Critical to such a study is the examination of Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist (Ch'an/Zan) beliefs and their impact on ancient and contemporary China. Central to this topic will be the ideas of feng shui, yin, and yang, chi'i yun or spirit resonance, and li or propriety and their manifestation in Chinese society and its cultural expression, eg: city, tomb and garden design. Of equal concern are the "three perfections" - poetry, painting and calligraphy. How these concepts relate to the sacrality of place and the visual vocabulary of the Chinese painter will swerve to underline the traditional nature of Chinese culture and introduce the student to its rich literary and mythological character. The ultimate goal of this course is to develop an appreciation for an evolving Chinese aesthetic and an appreciation for its cultural roots. Student oral and written projects will focus on specific aspects of Chinese painting or individual painter's styles.