This seminar examines modern Chinese literary and cultural history by way of exploring the key concept of “writing as technology.” We ask the following questions: What constitutes writing and more specifically, Chinese writing? Does the advocacy for a new Chinese literature — voiced by the vanguards of the New Culture Movement — also indicate a revolution of Chinese writing? How is the idea of "writing as technology" brought to bear on the remaking of Chinese literature, culture, and ultimately a modern China? In what way does the Chinese story of "writing as technology" speak to other parts of the world and other forms of writing? In this seminar, we explore the multiple roles of (Chinese) writing — as an inscription process, a representation system, or a symbol of power — in textual production, information dissemination, literary canonization, cultural and political mobilization, as well as nation building in modern China. We investigate these processes through different genres of writing such as novels, travelogues, artworks, as well as different technologies of writing such as the book form, newspaper, journals, telegraphy, typewriter, and computer. By bringing together literary texts, material objects, and theoretical readings, we pursue an enriched understanding of the dynamics between writing, technology, and politics in twentieth century China.