CHINESE 210--FALL 2001
Characteristics of the Chinese Language
漢語概要
(Hannyeu gayyaw)
[Hɑ̀nyŭ gɑ̀̀iyɑ̀o]
Course Information and Syllabus

Texts | Course Requirements | Weekly Schedule

Instructor: R. VanNess Simmons  [back to Simmons' main page]

Office: Scott Hall 327
Office Phone: (732) 932-5597
Office Hours: MW 1:15-2:15

Class meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5th period--2:50-4:10pm
Classroom:  Murray Hall 111 (College Avenue)

This is a general lecture course about the Chinese language. No previous knowledge of Chinese is required. However, students without a background in Chinese are strongly encouraged to also take a Chinese language course. Whether or not you do study Chinese, you should be prepared to learn much of the Chinese that is presented as examples in the lectures and readings.

During the course we will discuss the sounds and word structure of modern standard Chinese, the history of Chinese, the Chinese writing system, Chinese dialects, the relationship of Chinese to nearby languages, and modern language planning, reform, and standardization. In learning about the characteristics of Chinese and the history of the language, you will acquire a knowledge of what the Chinese is like and how it is organized and used. This knowledge will enhance your interest in Chinese and will facilitate your learning of Chinese should you choose to study it now or in the future.


Textbooks
Required: Optional purchase: The above texts should all be available from the University Bookstore at One Penn Plaza, opposite the New Brunswick train station, and from New Jersey Books, 108 Somerset St.

To be placed on reserve at Alexander (in addition to the above three), for supplementary reading and reports:

General Course Requirements

Attendance: Attendance is of utmost importance and you are expected to come to every class. Beginning with the second class you miss, your final grade will be lowered by 1/3 of a grade for each day you are absent without bona fide medical or religious cause.

Assignments: In addition to the readings, you will be required to join in preparing a group project that will be presented near the end of the semester.  Each group will be given 5-10 minutes per person/group member for their presentations (for example, a 3 person group will have up to half an hour).  The presentation will include a written report that you can write individually or as part of the group.  Reports should be 4-6 double-spaced pages per person and will be due Tuesday, November 27th.  The report must follow normal conventions of style for college term papers and must include a bibliography.  You may be creative with your group projects--they can be in any format that you choose and they may be on a topic or theme regarding any aspect of Chinese language that is of common interest to the group.  Some ideas that you can consider include:

Possible formats for your group project and written report include: In addition, there may be occasional other written assignments. Assignments must be handed in on time; late papers will not receive full credit.

Quizzes: There will be two quizzes. The first will be on the sound system of modern standard Chinese and the pinyin Romanization system. The second will be on the map of China, and the distribution of the Chinese dialects. I will provide you with further information on these quizzes later. No make-ups will be given for missed quizzes.

Exams: There will be a midterm and a final exam covering the material presented in class lectures and the readings.

Grading: Final grades will be based on attendance and attentiveness in class, written assignments and the report, quiz results, the midterm, and the final. Your final grade will be calculated approximately as follows:
 

  1. attendance 10% (or more)
  2. assignments/report 20%
  3. quizzes 10%
  4. midterm 30%
  5. final 30%

CHINESE 210--FALL 2001

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week 1--T9/4 & Th9/6 ++ Week 2--T9/11 & Th9/13  ++ Week 3--T9/18

Sounds of the Modern Standard Language

Readings: Week 3--Th9/20 ++ Week 4--T9/25 & Th9/27++Week 5--T10/2 & Th10/4

The History of Chinese (4-5 days)

Readings: Quiz 1: Th9/20--the sound system of modern standard Chinese and the pinyin Romanization system.

Week 6--T10/9 & Th10/11 ++ Week 7--T10/16

The Writing System

Readings: Week 7--Th10/18

Midterm: Th10/18

Week 8--T10/23 & 10/25

The History and Development of the Writing System (continued)

Week 9--T10/30

Group Presentation Discussion & Planning

Week 9--Th11/1++Week 10--T11/6 & Th11/8 ++ Week 11--T11/13 & Th11/15

The Chinese Dialects (5 days)

Readings: Week 12--T11/20

Chinese dictionaries (as time allows)

Reading:

Quiz 2: T11/20--The map of China, and the distribution of the Chinese dialects.

Week 13 T11/27 & Th11/29 ++ Week 14--T12/4

Group Presentations

Report due: T11/27

Week 14--Th12/6 ++ Week 15--T12/11

Language planning, reform, and standardization (as time allows)

Readings:

Additional Topics for Self-Study: FINAL EXAM: Wednesday 12/19, 12:00-3:00 PM in Murray 111
[back to top]   [back to Simmons' web site main page]