Chinese

[For more information about major requirements, see German, Russian, and East Asian Languages and Literature]

The major offers a structure sequence of instruction in language skills leading to competency in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese, with classical Chinese taught at the advanced level. Emphasis is also placed on familiarizing the students with the rich cultural heritage of China’s four thousand years’ history, which is transmitted and embodied by the native language of over one billion people. The department strongly recommends that majors spend their junior year at any departmentally recognized study abroad program in mainland China and/or Taiwan. Together with the major in Japanese, this major replaces the former major in East Asian Languages and Cultures. Students wishing to pursue a broadly based, interdisciplinary study of East Asia should consult the listings for the East Asian Studies major in the Asian Studies Program.

The major consists of a minimum of twelve courses which must include: a) Chinese 101- 102, 201-202, 301-302, or the equivalent; b) Chinese 207 and Japanese 240; c) two courses from the following: Chinese 209, 261, s24, s30, History 374, or one from this list and an additional course on the literature of another culture; d) either Chinese 401 or 415; and e) a senior thesis project, Chinese 457 or 458, completed in the senior year. Students are expected to utilize some source materials in Chinese in conducting research for the thesis. Qualified students are encouraged to write in Chinese. Note that students may petition the department to have courses taken in their study abroad program applied toward the fulfillment of requirements a) and c).

101. Beginning Chinese I. An introduction to spoken and written modern Chinese. Conversation and comprehension exercises in the classroom and laboratory provide practice in pronunciation and the use of basic patterns of speech. A. Zhou.

102. Beginning Chinese II. A continuation of Chinese 101 with increasing emphasis on the recognition of Chinese characters. By the conclusion of this course, students know over one quarter of the characters expected of an educated Chinese person. Classes, conducted increasingly in Chinese, stress sentence patterns that facilitate both speaking and reading. Prerequisite(s): Chinese 101. S. Yang.

201-202. Intermediate Chinese. Designed to enable students to converse in everyday Chinese and to read simple texts in Chinese (both standard and simplified characters). Classes conducted primarily in Chinese aim at further development of overall language proficiency. Prerequisite(s): Chinese 102. Open to first-year students. L. Miao.

207. Masterworks of Chinese Literature in Translation. An exploration of Chinese literature through reading and discussion of some of its masterworks of poetry, drama, fiction, and belles-lettres prose pieces from the ancient times through the pre-modern era. Open to first-year students. Staff.

209. Modern China through Film and Fiction. This course explores modern China through a number of short stories and feature films produced in the twentieth century, from Lu Hsun’s fiction written around 1920 to recent films directed by such world-famous directors as Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee. The focus of the course is on ways of interpreting different cultural products of modern China. Students thereby also gain a general knowledge of the history of modern Chinese fiction and film. All readings, lectures, and discussions are in English. Open to first-year students. S. Yang.

250. Asian American Literature. This course introduces students to one of the most eye-catching phenomena in today’s American literature: fiction and nonfiction written by Korean American, Chinese American, Japanese American, Vietnamese American, and Filipino American writers. Readings include Quiet Odyssey: A Pioneer Korean Woman in America (1990); Donald Duk (1991); selections from The Big Aiiieeeee! (1991); and Goodbye Saigon (1994). The course focuses on these writers’ attempts to define Asian American cultural identity. Discussion topics also include artistic, social, individual, and political issues presented in these works. For comparison, Asian cultures and African American literature and culture may also be discussed. Conducted in English. Open to first-year students. Staff.

261. Self and Society in Chinese Culture: Classics and Folk Tales. An introduction to Chinese culture and civilization through reading and discussion of a number of classical texts of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist thoughts, as well as traditional tales, popular stories, and legends in which these basic Chinese thoughts are reflected. Readings and lectures are all in English. Open to first-year students. S. Yang.

301-302. Upper-Level Modern Chinese. Designed for students who already have a strong background in spoken Chinese, the course gives an intensive review of the essentials of grammar and phonology, introduces a larger vocabulary and a variety of sentence patterns, improves conversational and auditory skills, and develops some proficiency in reading and writing. Extensive use of short texts (both literary and nonfictional) and some films. Classes are conducted primarily in Chinese. Prerequisite(s): Chinese 202. Open to first-year students. L. Miao.

360. Independent Study. Independent study of individually selected topics. Periodic conferences and papers required. Permission of the department is required. Students are limited to one independent study per semester. Staff.

365. Special Topics. Designed for the small seminar group of students who may have particular interests in areas of study that go beyond the regular course offerings. Periodic conferences and papers are required. Written permission of the instructor is required. Staff.

401. Advanced Chinese. This course is designed to further enhance students’ ability to understand and speak idiomatic Mandarin Chinese. Included are readings of modern and contemporary literary works, journalistic writings and other non-literary texts. A few classical texts may also be studied upon students’ request. Recommended background: three years of Chinese or more. Prerequisite(s): Chinese 302. Open to first-year students. A. Zhou.

415. Readings in Classical Chinese. An intensive study of classical Chinese through reading selections of ancient literary, historical, and philosophical texts in the original, including excerpts from the Analects, the Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Shiji, Tang-Song prose and poetry. Conducted in Chinese. Prerequisite(s): Chinese 302 or 401. Open to first-year students. A. Zhou.

457. 458. Senior Thesis. An extended research or translation project on a topic in Chinese literature, culture, or language utilizing some source materials in Chinese. Qualified students may choose to write the thesis in Chinese. Before registering for either 457 or 458, the student should consult with his or her advisor and submit a concise description and a tentative bibliography. Students register for 457 in the fall semester and for Chinese 458 in the winter semester, unless the department gives approval for a two-semester project. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both Chinese 457 and 458. Staff.

Short Term Units

s24. Chinese Language and Culture in Beijing, China. This unit involves intensive work for five weeks at Renmin University in Beijing, China, as well as excursions to some famous historical sites, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. This unit is offered at two levels: 1) for students who have had no Chinese, and 2) for students who have completed one or more years of college-level Chinese. Recommended background: one year or more of Chinese. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 20. Written permission of the instructor is required. Staff.

s30. Chinese Calligraphy and Etymology. A study of Chinese calligraphy through practice in the use of the brush-pen and through analysis of the aesthetics as well as the historical development of this graphic art. Calligraphy or brushwriting (shufa in Chinese and shodo in Japanese) is considered in East Asia as a spontaneous yet premeditated act of self-expression, which embraces philosophy, religion, culture, and an artistic tradition thousands of years old. Conducted in English. Recommended background: some knowledge of Chinese characters or kanji. Prerequisite(s): Chinese 101 or Japanese 101. Open to first- year students. Enrollment limited to 20. S. Yang.

s50. Individual Research. Registration in this unit is granted by the department only after the student has submitted a written proposal for a full-time research project to be completed during the Short Term and has secured the sponsorship of a member of the department to direct the study and evaluate the results. Students are limited to one individual research unit. Staff.

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