CHINESE 321--FALL 2009

01:165:321 Introduction to Literary Chinese

Course Information and Syllabus

Texts | Course Requirements | Weekly Schedule

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

Class meeting times: Mondays and Thursdays, 3rd period--11:30-12:50 PM

Classroom:  Scott Hall 206 (College Avenue)

Course Assistant: Lihui Zhu

Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: 01:165:202 or 222 or placement

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to literary Chinese, or Classical Chinese, known in Chinese as 文言文 or 古代汉语.  Classical Chinese is a written form of Chinese that differs substantially from colloquial or spoken Chinese and which served as the standard for written texts for most of Chinese history.  The grammar, style, and vocabulary of Classical Chinese still finds influence in formal Chinese writing in modern times.  So even students who only wish to learn modern Chinese should be familiar with the basics of Classical Chinese. 

Course Goals:

This class will introduce the essentials of Classical Chinese vocabulary and grammar.  By the end of the class students will be able to analyze and read simple texts in literary Chinese.  They will also be able write simple texts in literary Chinese and to recite selected short passages in the language.
Textbooks
Required: The above texts should both be available from the University Bookstore at One Penn Plaza, opposite the New Brunswick train station, and possibly from New Jersey Books as well.

In the syllabus below, the Classical Chinese Primer text is referred to as CCP; the workbook is identified as CCW; the other text, Classical Chinese—A Functional Approach, is identified as Li & Dew.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The Classical Chinese Primer Workbook is the workbook for this class from which most of the homework assignments will be drawn.  However, students are required to copy out the homework assignments by hand on separate sheets of paper before completing them. DO NOT turn your homework in on pages torn from this book.  The reasons for this are: (1) The additional copying required will allow you more practice writing Chinese; (2) some separate assignments are on the front and back of the same page/sheet in the book and if you hand in one side you will not have access to the other side for the next assignment; and (3) leaving the exercise book blank will allow you to use it to test yourself for review and practice.


General Course Requirements

COURSE WORK

Learning a language, especially one as difficult as Classical Chinese, is a very demanding task. 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.

You must also complete and turn in ALL assigned homework on time before class begins.  Sometime the homework assignments will be corrected orally in class to be turned in for credit; others will be corrected and graded by the instructors.  The course instructor will determine which assignments are to be graded and which are to be corrected orally and let you know after the assignment is due.

In addition to homework and regular classroom work, there will be biweekly tests, a mid-term exam, and a final exam. There may also be spot quizzes given without notice. All tests and exams are cumulative.

GROUND RULES

1. Make-ups will be given for tests or quizzes only if you are ill (and present a note from your doctor) or observing a religious holiday.  Make-ups will not be allowed for tests missed due to other circumstances.

2. You are allowed only one free, unexplained or unexcused absence. Any further unexcused absences will not be tolerated. We will make daily note of your attendance and your final grade will be reduced by three percentage points for each day you are absent after the first time. Absences can be excused only for religious reasons or by presentation of a note from your doctor stating a valid medical cause.

3. If you are tardy more than three times, the instructor will no longer be responsible for including you in class exercises or answering your questions regarding missed lesson in class.

4. All homework assignments should be finished and handed in before the class begins. Exercises handed in on time will be corrected, graded, and returned to you promptly. Late assignments will be noted but will NOTreceive grades.

5. Your final grade will be calculated as follows:

  1. Effort 10% (or more)
  2. Homework/assignments 10%
  3. Tests/quizzes 20%
  4. Midterm 30%
  5. Final 30%
6. The "effort" grade will be based on regular attendance, preparation, and class participation. Students will loose points for unexcused absences, tardiness, leaving class early, poor classroom attitude, and failure to hand in homework on time. Remember: You, the student, are the one who is learning the language; we, the instructors, can only provide you with the opportunity to learn.

7. Please feel free to come to our office hours when you have questions that cannot be satisfactorily solved during class time, or simply when you need extra help. But you should not get in the habit of missing class and then trying to make up what you missed during our office hours.

Finally: Welcome to class! We hope you enjoy learning Classical Chinese and discovering the world that the language opens up for you.

CHINESE 321--FALL 2009

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week 1--Th9/3

Week 2--T9/8 (Monday Schedule) & Th9/10

Week 3--M9/14 & Th9/17

Week 4--M9/21 & Th9/24
 Week 5--M9/28 & Th10/1

Week 6--M10/5 & Th10/8

Week 7--M10/12 & Th10/15

Week 8--M10/19 & Th10/22

Week 9--M10/26 & Th10/29

Week 10--M11/2 & Th11/5
 Week 11--M11/9 & Th11/12
Week 12--M11/16 & Th11/19
 Week 13--M11/23

Week 14--M11/30 & Th12/3

Week 15--M12/7 & Th 12/10

FINAL EXAM: Monday 21-Dec 12:00-3:00 PM in Scott Hall Room 206

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