Course Listings

Chinese Studies

CHNSE 131 Elementary Chinese I (1)

Introduction to the fundamentals of spoken and written modern Mandarin Chinese. Classroom activity will center on oral-aural pattern drilling with student participation required. Emphasis will be on spoken Chinese but a romanized writing system and Chinese characters will also be introduced. Language tapes will be available in the language lab and their regular use by students will be required.

• Offering: Annually
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 132 Elementary Chinese II (1)

Introduction to the fundamentals of spoken and written modern Mandarin Chinese. Classroom activity will center on oral-aural pattern drilling with student participation required. Emphasis will be on spoken Chinese but a romanized writing system and Chinese characters will also be introduced. Language tapes will be available in the language lab and their regular use by students will be required.

• Offering: Annually
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 231 Intermediate Chinese I (1)

Continued emphasis on speaking and listening with an increasing emphasis on reading and writing. Classroom time will be spent on oral-aural drills, dialogues, reading aloud, listening comprehension, and the production and recognition of Chinese written characters. Students will be required to do tape work and written assignments outside of the class as well as in-class presentations in Chinese.

Prerequisite: CHNSE 131 and 132 or consent of instructor

• Offering: Annually
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 232 Intermediate Chinese II (1)

Continued emphasis on speaking and listening with an increasing emphasis on reading and writing. Classroom time will be spent on oral-aural drills, dialogues, reading aloud, listening comprehension, and the production and recognition of Chinese written characters. Students will be required to do tape work and written assignments outside of the class as well as in-class presentations in Chinese.

Prerequisite: CHNSE 231 or consent of instructor

• Offering: Annually
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 235 Chinese Language Practicum (.25)

This class has a two-fold purpose: to continue to develop proficient language skills in all aspects and to practice these skills through teaching or tutoring. In learning, we emphasize proficiency, and in teaching or tutoring, we stress accuracy and pedagogy. Various pedagogical approaches will be studied. Practice is carried out through various teaching opportunities on and off campus.

Prerequisite: CHNSE 232 or consent of instructor

• Offering: Alternate years
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 252 (US) Rites of Passage in Chinese Societies (1)

This course surveys the life-cycle rituals of birth, marriage, and death in Chinese societies from folkloristic, anthropological, philosophical, and historical perspectives. By reading the text, understanding the context, observing the performance, and reenacting the rituals, the participants learn the subject as a disciplinary field and as a body of knowledge in Chinese culture, and examine the rituals through such topics as gender role, ethnic identity, symbolism, belief and behavior, folklore and tradition, and continuity of culture.

Mode of Inquiry: Understanding Society; Asian Cluster; Death Cluster

• Offering: Fall
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 254 Language, Ethnicity, and Folklore in China (1)

This course examines the formation and development of Chinese language, ethnicity, and culture as well as their interactive relations throughout Chinese history. By surveying the topics, analyzing the key texts and realities, the participants will learn to understand ethnicity and culture within its social contexts as expressed through the language. Topics range from the formation of the language, standardization, dialects, identity, ethnicity, ethnic identification, ethnic customs, to the use of language in today's popular culture. The course will also include discussion about overseas Chinese and their sense of ethnic identity. Different disciplinary perspectives and historical contexts will be introduced and discussed.

• Offering: Alternate years
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 256 Chinese Folklore in Films (1)

The increasingly popular Chinese films have provided a special lens to look at Chinese culture. But how can people imagine these films without the rich folklore in them? This course examines local customs, folk beliefs and behaviors, vernacular architecture, festival dramas, and various ritual practices from historical, anthropological, and folkloristic perspectives. Through analysis of text and performance, this course helps develop a better understanding of the transition and transformation of Chinese culture.

• Offering: Alternate years
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 331 (IT) Advanced Chinese: Reading the Media (1)

Continued development of proficient language skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and translating. In addition, interpreting and analyzing text from cultural studies and media studies perspectives are strongly emphasized. Comparative analysis of translations will be integrated in the interpretation of text. Rapid vocabulary expansion, correct use of grammar points, proficient use of the language in spoken and written forms, critical views in understanding the content and means of media, and cultural analysis of the text are the major goals.

Mode of Inquiry: Interpreting Texts

Prerequisite: CHNSE 232 or consent of instructor

• Offering: Fall
• Instructor: Zhang

CHNSE 332 Third Year Chinese II (1)

Continued acquisition of skills in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese. Students will be exposed to an additional 600 characters and their combinations. Correct usage of vocabulary and sentence patterns will be emphasized. Reading material with relevance to Chinese history and culture will be read in the original and discussed in Chinese. Students will also write and make speeches which are to be taped and evaluated. Advanced placement is available for students trained elsewhere.

Prerequisite: CHNSE 231 and 232

• Offering: On demand
• Instructor: Zhang