Chinese Courses Fall 2004

CHN 101: Elementary Chinese I (Mandarin)

Section 000 Zhu MW 9:35-10:25 and TT 11:30- 12:45 Limit 15
Section 001 Ho MW 10:40-11:30 and TT 10:00-11:15 Limit 15
Section 002 Ho MW 2:00-2:50 and TT 2:30-3:45 Limit 10*
Section 003 Ho MW 11:45-12:35 and TT 1:00-2:15 Limit 15

4 credits

*Section 002 is a distance learning class conducted via videolink with Emory's Oxford, GA campus.

Content: Chinese 101 is the first of two courses designed to introduce students to modern Mandarin Chinese. The course begins with an introduction to the sound system of Mandarin Chinese and moves on to training of basic skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Classes have an additional aim of introducing students to aspects of Chinese culture. By the end of the semester students are expected to 1) have a fairly good pronunciation, 2) recognize and write approximately 250-300 characters, and 3) carry out simple conversations about some of their daily activities.

Texts:
Integrated Chinese Textbook Level I Part I, Tao-chung Yao and Yue-hua Liu
Integrated Chinese Workbook Level I Part I, Tao-chung Yao and Yue-hua Liu
Integrated Chinese Character Workbook Level I Part 1, Tao-chung Yao and Yue-hua Liu

Particulars: No prerequisites except serious interest and willingness to work. Note: students serious about learning Chinese should plan to take more than one year of the language, and no more than five seniors will be accepted into the classes.

CHN 201: Intermediate Chinese I

Section 000 Li MW 10:40-11:30 and TT 11:30-12:45 Limit 15
Section 001 Li MW 11:45-12:35 and TT 1:00-2:15 Limit 15
Section 002 Zhu MW 11:45-12:35 and TT 1:00-2:15 Limit 15
4 credits

Content: This course is designed to help students to reach intermediate level communicative skill both in spoken and written Chinese and to establish a solid base for more advanced language learning. By increasing students' vocabulary and their knowledge of sentence patterns, the course focuses on speaking and writing in coherent and well-formed paragraphs. By the end of the semester students should be able to 1) carry out rather fluent conversations about daily activities, 2) write compositions of 300-500 characters on subjects of their daily life and personal experiences.

Texts:
Integrated Chinese Textbook Level 2, Tao-chung Yao and Yue-hua Liu
Integrated Chinese Workbook Level 2, Tao-chung Yao and Yue-hua Liu

Particulars: Prerequisites: Chn 102 or consent of instructor.

CHN 271WR: Modern China in Films and Fiction

Section 000 Cai MWF 2:00-2:50 Limit 13
Same as ASIA 271WR Limit 2
4 credits

Content: This course is an examination of twenieth-century Chinese society through cinematic productions and a critical reading of the writings of major Chinese writers in translation. Emphasis on self and society in a changing culture and the nature and function of literature in the modern nation-building. Satisfies G.E.R. post-freshman writing requirement and G.E.R. area V.C.

Texts: TBA

Particulars: All readings are in translation. Knowledge of Chinese language not required. Course requirements include three short written assignments, a term paper, persentation, and active class participation.

CHN 272WR: Introduction to Premodern Chinese Literature

Section 000 Kurtz TT 10:00-11:15 Limit 15
4 credits

Content: This course offers an introduction to premodern Chinese literature from its beginnings through the end of the imperial era in 1911. Focussing on close readings of selected pieces in their literary and historical context, we will analyze representative works of individual eras, writers, and genres (in English translation) that occupy significant positions in the historical development of traditional Chinese literature. The aim of the course is to illustrate the beauty and diversity of classical Chinese literary voices and poetic sensibilities, and enable students to come to adequate terms with literary texts that were produced in an intellectual and cultural environment often portrayed as being “worlds apart” from our own.

Texts:
An Anthology of Chinese Literature. Beginnings to 1911, Owen, Stephen
The Columbia Anthology of Traditional Chinese Literature, Mair, Victor H. (ed.).
Further readings will be made available on online reserve.

A good text on the historical background (highly recommended for purchase) is:
A History of Chinese Civilization. 2nd ed. Gernet, Jacques

Particulars: Evaluation based on class participation, written assignments, research paper, midterm and final.

CHN 301: Advanced Chinese I

Section 000 Li M 9:35-10:25 and TT 2:30-3:45 Limit 15
4 credits

Content: This is the first semester of Advanced Chinese. The course places emphasis on communicative function of the language where advanced reading, grammar and conversation are stressed. The contents of the textbook focus on the rapidly changing attitudes and values of modern China. Authentic reading materials are included in each lesson, such as newspaper articles, television, news broadcasts, short works of fiction, and some film. Students will learn to read both traditional and simplified characters.

Texts:
Beyond the Basics, by Jianhua Bai.
Family, by Ba Jin

Particulars: Prerequisites: CHN 202 or consent of instructor.

CHN 397R: Directed Reading
Section 00P (Permission only)

CHN 401WR: Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese I

Section 000 Cai MWF 12:50-1:40 Limit 15
4 credits

Content: Conducted in Chinese, the course focuses on readings and discussions of authentic reading material from a wide variety of writing styles, including social, political, journalistic readings as well as important works of modern chinese literature, The The goal of the course is to develop students' ability to understand and use Chinese at more advanced levels and to introduce modern Chinese culture through readings and discussions. Students are required to prepare in advance, then read and discuss the material in Chinese. Satisfies G.E.R. post-freshman writing requirement.

Texts:
China Scene, Hong Gang Jin et al and supplementary materials

Particulars: Prerequisite: CHN 302 or consent of instructor

CHN 495AS: Chinese Honors I (Seminar) - The Present of the Past: Representations of Tradition in Modern China

same as HIST 385S Limit= 7
Section 00P (Permission only) Kurtz TT 1:00-2:15 Limit 15
4 credits

Content: This seminar examines the multiple ways in which traditions have been attacked, defended, revised, and (re-)invented in twentieth-century China. Our aim is to disentangle the anxieties, interests, and rhetorical devices that have shaped modern Chinese answers to the question of historical continuity. In our explorations, we will scrutinize representations of the past in scholarly works, including histories of Chinese thought, science and literature, as well as in memories of historical events as reflected in historiography, film, fiction, music, monuments, and art.

Texts:
The Tyranny of History. The Roots of China’s Crisis, Jenner, William F.
The Search for Modern China, Spence, Jonathan D.
Further readings will be made available on online reserve.

Particulars: Evaluation based on class participation, presentations, book review, research paper.

CHN 496R: Chinese Language Internship
Section 00P (Permission only)

This page last updated November 11, 2004