Fables, Legends and Stories from Ancient Chinese Civilization

Catalog description

This is an intermediate-level Chinese language course that focuses on developing reading and writing skills. By reading, analyzing, and presenting on traditional fables, short stories, and articles on the lifestyle and social changes in China, this course encourages students to look into the historical development of ancient Chinese civilization and the complex relationship between traditional China and its modern counterpart. Activities related to a broad spectrum of Chinese literature, culture and society are organized to facilitate language learning, cultural analysis and cross-cultural comparison. Topics of this course include, but are not limited to, the Chinese creation myth, famous historical events and figures, Chinese herb medicine, and Chinese wedding customs. In addition to expanding students' knowledge of Chinese society and culture and the socio-cultural influences on Chinese language, this course will also help students extend their Chinese vocabulary and improve Chinese reading and writing skills and proficiency. With the help of classroom discussion and debate, reading and writing assignments, and cultural presentations and projects, students are expected to develop long-term retention of Chinese language and in-depth understanding of Chinese culture and society from a global perspective. This course is intended for non-native speakers of Chinese at the intermediate proficiency level and is not designed for students with near-native or native-level reading and writing ability. Prerequisites: 82-135 or 82-231