Level Four Chinese B

Catalog description

Continutation of CHNS 403W . Aims to improve students' proficiency in all four language skills through content-based language learning. CHNS 404 Level Four Chinese B (4) This is a four credit course designed for those who have completed Level Four Chinese A or the equivalent. The course aims to further develop students' proficiency in all four language skills. Students will study several topics on current social issues in contemporary Chinese society. For example, economic spurt in China, environmental protection, values conflict between traditional Chinese culture and Western culture, etc. Students will learn those topics via a textbook, interviewing native speakers of Chinese from different regions, and variety of media, such as newspaper, TV news, and movie. The majority of reading and writing assignments will be done outside of class, with some guidance from the instructor. Students will be guided to use appropriate resources such as dictionaries, reference books, online dictionaries and other online resource to facilitate their learning. Class time will be used mainly for discussion of content, feedback on writing, and presentations by students. All class activities will be conducted in Chinese. Students will be mainly evaluated by writing exercises and presentations. Writing exercises include short response papers on topics, summarizes of the readings, short essays and a final thesis. Through the writing exercises, students will reflect more deeply on certain topics, synthesize information from course materials, provoke critical thinking and express their opinions and support ideas by referring to and citing from source texts. Presentations include debates, individual and group presentation, which will help students advance their communication and presentational skills. E-portfolio will sample the work students have done in the course.