Chinese Courses Spring 2007

CHN 102: Elementary Chinese II
Section 000 MW 9:35-10:25 and TT 10:00-11:15 Ho Max 15
Section 001 MW 12:50-1:40 and TT 1:00-2:15 Van Fleit Hang Max 15
Section 002 MW 2:00-2:50 and TT 2:30-3:45 Zhang Max 15
Section 003 MW 10:40-11:30 and TT 11:30-12:45 Van Fleit Hang Max 15
(Section 002 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: Heritage of Çhina (Freshman Seminar - FOR FRESHMEN ONLY)
Section 00P TT 1:00-2:15 Li Max 15

Content: This course is a general introduction to Chinese history, culture and literary tradition. It is designed to acquaint the students to ideas, institutions, aspects of life, literature and arts that are essential to an educated understanding of the Chinese world. This course will begin with discussions of individual topics including geography, philosophy, language, art, family and daily life. This course will then proceed to a chronological introduction to Chinese literary tradition, and will focus on the discussion of significant Chinese literary and historical texts.

Required Texts: TBA

Particulars: TBA

CHN 202: Intermediate Chinese II
Section 000 MW 10:40-11:30 and TT 11:30-12:45 Ho Max 15
Section 001 MW 11:45-12:35 and TT 10:00-11:15 Li,Q Max 15
Section 002 MW 12:50-1:40 and TT 1:00-2:15 Li,Q 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. Particular 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 203: Chinese for Heritage Speakers II
Section 000 MW 9:35-10:25 and TT 10:00-11:15 Zhang Max 15

Content: This course is designed for heritage speakers of Mandarin Chinese and is a continuation of CHN 103. The emphasis is on improving students' reading and writing skills. It prepares students for further study at the advanced level

Required Texts: TBA

Particulars: Prerequisites: CHN 103 or consent of the instructor.

CHN 271WR: Modern China in Films and Fiction

Section 000 MWF 2:00-2:50 Van Fliet Hang Limit 13
Same as ASIA 271WR Limit 5
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 274: Foreigners in Imperial China
Section 000 TT 2:30-3:45 Kurtz Max 12
cross-list as ASIA 375 max 3

Content: Far from being a closed empire encircled by an 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 its history, even if they were not always welcome. This course 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 civilization and its place in the world.

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. Whitfield, Susan. Life Along the Silk Road. Berkeley: University of California Press 1999.

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

CHN 302WR: Advanced Chinese II
Section 000 MWF 10:40-11:30 Ta Max 20
Section 001 MWF 12:50-1:40 Ta Max 20

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

CHN 402WR: Advanced Reading in Modern Chinese II
Section 000 TT 11:30-12:45 Ta Max 15

Content: This course is the continuation of Chinese 401. It aims at further developing students' ability to use the Chinese language at a more advanced level and deepening students understand of Chinese culture and society. Students are expected to prepare in advance, then read and discuss the material in Chinese. The emphasis of the course is placed on accurate reading comprehension and expansion of vocabulary and grammatical knowledge for expressing sophisticated ideas. Satisfies G.E.R. post-freshman writing requirement.

Texts: TBA

Particulars: Prerequisite: CHN 401 or consent of instructor.

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: TBA

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 495BWR: Chinese Honors II
Section 00P (Permission only)
VC

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

CHN 471SWR: Tradition in Modern China

Section 000 Kurtz TT 11:30-12:45 Limit 9
Same as ASIA 375SWR Limit 3
Same as HIST 385SWR Limit 3
4 credits

Content: This seminar examines the multiple ways in which traditions have been attacked, defended, revised, and reinvented 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 depictions of historical events and personalities in historiography, film, fiction, music, monuments, and art.

Satisfies G.E.R. post-freshman writing requirement and GER area I.C. (Advanced seminar).

Required Texts: Course readings on Reserves Direct.

Prerequisite: Completion of one China or East-Asia related seminar or lecture course. Knowledge of Chinese is desirable but not required. Grading: class participation, written assignments, exams, research paper.

CHN 797R: Directed Studies in Chinese Language or Culture
Section 00P (Permission only)
VC

This page last updated November 2, 2006