Introduction to Classical Chinese II

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
MODL 3394
Descriptive
Introduction to Classical Chinese II
Department
Modern Languages
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
22
Course designation
Certificate in Global Competency
Contact hours

Lecture: 4 hours/week

or

Hybrid: 2 hours/week in class; 2 hours/week online

or

Fully online

Method(s) of instruction
Hybrid
Online
Lecture
Learning activities

Methods of instruction may include, but are not limited to lectures, small group work, class discussions and presentations, screening of audio or video materials.

Course description
This course is the continuation of Introduction to Classical Chinese I. Students will be introduced to basic Classical Chinese grammar, syntax, and rhetoric expressions by examining some works produced from ca. 100 BC to the end of Qing Dynasty with concentration on the period of Tang, Song, Ming and Qing Dynasties. It will continually increase students’ ability to understand and appreciate historical and literary classics written in Classical Chinese. In this course, more grammatical comparisons will be drawn between Classical and Modern Chinese languages. This course is taught entirely in Chinese (Mandarin).
Course content
  • Brief introduction of major grammatical and stylistic features of Classical Chinese language
  • General comparison between Modern Chinese and Pre-Modern Chinese languages
  • Reading and analysis of selected classical works such as Shiji (also called The Historical Records), poetic works from the Tang Dynasty (Tang Shi Xuan), prose works from the Tang and Song Dynasties (Tang Song Wen Xuan), and prose works from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (Ming Qing Wen Xuan).
Learning outcomes

 

Upon completion of the course, the successful student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate their knowledge of major grammatical and stylistic features of Classical Chinese language
  • Identify and articulate their understanding of the main differences between Classical and Modern Chinese languages
  • Gain an appreciation for the beauty and the wisdom of Classical Chinese works, especially the works of Tang, Song, Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Means of assessment

This course will conform to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Evaluation will be based on this general outline:

Attendance and participation

15%

Three exams (in Chinese) during the semester (10% each)

30%

One presentation (in Chinese)

15%

One research paper (in Chinese)

20%

One final written exam (in Chinese)

20%

Total:

100%

 No single evaluation will be worth more than 20%.

Textbook materials

The instructor may choose an introductory classical Chinese textbook such as:

Tian, Ying. Introduction to Classical Chinese, Beijing: Beijing Language and Culture University Press, 2009. Print.

Prerequisites

Chinese 12 (Minimum Grade of B) OR MODL 2292 (Minimum Grade of B) OR MODL 3393 (Minimum Grade of C) OR Assessment. Students should be able to speak Mandarin or one of the Chinese dialects fluently and be able to read and write in Chinese at intermediate or advanced level.