The Wisdom of China: An Introduction to Classical Chinese Language and Culture

Catalog description

Is human nature inherently good or flawed? Does the Golden Rule have a place in ancient Chinese thought? What visions of ideal society and governance emerged from ancient Chinese philosophy? In this post-advanced Chinese language course, you will explore these profound questions through the study of Classical Chinese - the written language that has carried China’s intellectual and cultural traditions for over two millennia. Through close readings of key texts like The Analects, Mencius, Dao De Jing, Zhan Guo Ce and others, you will gain mastery of essential vocabulary and grammar of Classical Chinese, while engaging with key philosophical discussions such as Confucian ethics, human nature, Daoism, and concepts of the ideal society and governance. This course also serves to enhance your Modern Chinese proficiency by deepening your understanding of its classical roots, enriching your appreciation for both language and culture. Conducted entirely in Mandarin Chinese, you will learn to read, analyze and translate Classical Chinese texts while discussing their philosophical significance in a sophisticated manner.