Chinese Courses Spring 2004

CHN 102: Elementary Chinese II
Section 000 MW 9:35-10:25 and TT 10:00-11:15 Wang Max 15
Section 001 MW 10:40-11:30 and TT 2:30-3:45 Wang Max 15
Section 002 MW 11:45-12:35 and TT 1:00-2:15 Ho Max 15
(Section 000 is a distance-learning course with Oxford campus.)

Content: This course is the second semester of the two-semester Elementary Chinese course. It is designed for those who have taken CHN101. The course aims at further developing fundamental language skills. All four skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing) will be emphasized and learned in communicative context. Students are expected to actively participate in class by engaging in interactive activities and reading and writing practices. Many aspects of everyday Chinese culture will be introduced through these activities.

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

Particulars: Prerequisites: CHN 101 or consent of instructor. Grading is based on active class participation, written and oral assignment, regular quizzes, lesson tests, and final examination.

CHN 190: Merchants, Missionaries, Mercenaries: Foreigners in China Throughout the Ages
Section 00P TT 1:00-2:15 Kurtz Max 15 (Freshmen only)

Content: Far from being a closed empire encircled by a supposedly impenetrable Great Wall, China was always integrated into global circulations of goods, knowledge, and people. Foreigners were a constant presence in the Middle Kingdom throughout her history, even if they were not welcomed by everyone and at all times. In this seminar we will follow the trails and travails of some men and women, from Europe, Asia, and America, who fell prey to the lure of Cathay in their searches for riches, influence, employment, adventure, or spiritual gratification. Our aim is to explore not only the changing fortunes of individual travellers, but also to examine the historical origins of many ideas that continue to shape our understanding of Chinese culture.

Required Texts:

Polo, Marco. The Travels. Translated by Ronald Latham. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books 1958.
Spence, Jonathan D. To Change China. Western Advisers in China, 1620-1960. Boston: Little, Brown 1969.
Waley-Cohen, Joanne. The Sextants of Beijing: Global Currents in Chinese History. New York: Norton 1999.

Particulars: Knowledge of Chinese is NOT required. Grading: class participation, written assignments, exams, paper.

CHN 202: Intermediate Chinese II
Section 000 MW 10:40-11:30 and TT 11:30-12:45 Ho Max 15
Section 001 MW 12:50-1:40 and TT 10:00-11:15 Kurtz Max 15

Content: This course provides intermediate-level training in spoken and written Chinese in cultural context. based on language skills developed in CHN 201. Attention is given to complex grammatical patterns, discourse characteristics, and discussions of cultural topics.

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

Particulars: Prerequisites: CHN 201 or consent of the instructor.

CHN 230: Description and Analysis of the Chinese Language
Section 000 TT 2:30-3:45 Li max 10
Cross list as LING 230 max 5

Content: The course aims to give students an overview of important elements of the Chinese language and its use. Students will gain an understanding of the long history of the language, as well as the phonological, semantic, and syntactic structures of modern Chinese. In addition, through discussions on language use in society, the course examines the cultural and social issues surrounding the Chinese language. Topics include its historical development, linguistic structures, dialects, writing system and calligraphy, and language use in society. The course is taught in English. The prerequisite is Chinese 102 or consent of instructor.

Texts: TBA

CHN 302WR: Advanced Chinese II
Section 000 MWF 12:50-1:40 Cai Max 15

Content: This is the second semester of Advanced Chinese. The course places emphasis on the communicative function of the language where advanced reading grammar and conversation are stressed. Periodic translation exercises will provide students the opportunity to gauge how well they understand nuances in the language. The content of the textbook focuses 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 be expected to read complex and simplified characters. Satisfies G.E.R. post-freshman writing.

Required Texts: China Scene: An Advanced Chinese Multimedia Course

Particulars: Prerequisites: CHN 301 or consent of the instructor.

CHN 360WR: Chinese Women in Film and Fiction
Section 000 MWF 2:00-2:50 Cai max 10
cross-list as ASIA 360WR max 2
cross-list as WS 360WR max 3

Content: An examination of woman as trope in modern Chinese cinema and literature in the twentieth century. It explores how "the modern woman" became a cultural construct and how that construct has redefined gender role and femininity. Special attention will be paid to such issues as self-identity, love, marriage, family, and social opportunities. All readings are in English translation. Knowledge of Chinese language is not required. Satisfies G.E.R. post-freshman writing requirement and G.E.R. area V.C.

Required Texts: The Three Inch Golden Lotus by Feng Jicai
The Butcher's Wife by Li Ang
Contemporary Women Writers: Hong Kong and Taiwan. Ed. Eva Hung
Bamboo Shoots after the Rain: Contemporary Stories by Women Writers of Taiwan. Eds. Ann C. Carver and Sung-sheng Yvonne Chang
Stories on reserve

Particulars: All readings are in English translation. Course requirements include three short written assignments, a research paper, one presentation, and active class participation.

CHN 403: Introduction to Classical Chinese
Section 000 TT 10:00-11:15 Li Max 10

Content: For more than three thousand years, down to the early 20th century, the vast majority of Chinese historical, philosophical, and literary texts were written in Classical Chinese (Literary Chinese). Literature in Classical Chinese is an important part of cultural heritage of all humankind. This course is designed for students who have taken at least two years of Modern Chinese and are curious about the Chinese literary heritage. Students read selections of famous classical texts in their original language, such as Confucius Analects, Lao Zi, early histories, and Tang poetry; and acquire basic knowledge of Classical Chinese grammar and lexicon.

Texts: Gregory Chiang, Language of the Dragon, Cheng & Tsui Company

Particulars: assignments, bi-lesson tests, final examination

Prerequisite: Chn 301 or consent of instructor

Texts: TBA

Particulars: Prerequisite: CHN 301 or consent of instructor. The course combines lectures, discussions and translation exercise. There will be quizzes for each lesson and a final examination. Grading: Lesson quizzes, final exam.

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

CHN 495B: Chinese Honors II
Section 00P (Permission only)

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

This page last updated November 11, 2003