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 Kalamazoo College - Center for Asian Studies Chinese Language and Literature : CoursesCHIN 101 Beginning Chinese I
An introduction to the Chinese language. Pronunciation system, basic vocabulary, fundamental grammatical structures, as well as some background of the language will be studied. The goal of this course is to set a good foundation for making Chinese a functional language for the students. Students are asked to follow three principles: (1) make Chinese a part of daily life, (2) use Chinese actively in class and outside of class, and (3) be creative in finding ideas for using the Chinese language.
CHIN 102 Beginning Chinese II
A continuation of Beginning Chinese I. All four skills-listening, speaking, reading, and writing-are equally emphasized. By the end of this course, students are expected to understand simple questions and answers, to be able to ask and respond to simple questions, to understand simple statements, and to be able to participate in simple conversations on a few familiar topics. Students will also be expected to read and write simple notes, meaningful sentences, and short passages constructed with basic grammatical patterns.Prerequisite: CHIN 101
CHIN 103 Beginning Chinese III
A continuation of Beginning Chinese II, this course further consolidates the essential skills in reading, writing, listening to, and speaking Chinese. The goals are to increase vocabulary, to form a clear understanding of the language through knowledge of the meaning of words and structures, and to advance the ability to express in the language accurately and properly on some selected topics. Prerequisite: CHIN 102.
CHIN 201 Intermediate Chinese I
This course follows CHIN 103 and starts the Intermediate Chinese language sequence. It will create an authentic language environment for the students and help make learning Chinese an interesting experience. The students will develope their fundamental language skills with a balanced emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A communicative approach will be adopted, and accuracy will be emphasized at the same time. Culture will be brought into the classroom through songs, poems, and so on. Short cultural talks related to course material will be given. Prerequisite: CHIN 103.
CHIN 202 Intermediate Chinese II
This course follows CHIN 201, Intermediate Chinese I and emphasizes interactive skills. More authentic materials will be used, and more topics and situations concerning contemporary Chinese society will be introduced. Class activities include visiting local Chinese communities and interviewing native speakers of Chinese language. Prerequisite: CHIN 201.
CHIN 203 Intermediate Chinese III
The course concludes the Intermediate Chinese sequence. Students should be prepared for exposure to various spoken and written styles of Chinese and for a steady expansion of their vocabulary. After completing three quarters of Intermediate Chinese, students will have gained a solid foundation in Chinese grammar and vocabulary and have developed good strategies for effective reading and listening comprehension. In addition, students will have acquired further confidence in their ability to speak Chinese. Prerequisite: CHIN 202.
CHIN 215 Chinese Culture Motifs: Characters and Calligraphy
Chinese scripts are windows to East Asia cultures. This course traces the etymology and introduces the cultural background of Chinese scripts. It also provides hands-on practice of Chinese calligraphy. This course combines aesthetic training and language learning. Students learn the Chinese scripts not only as linguistic symbols but also as cultural motifs and art forms. Learning the etymology and cultural nd acquire the artistic skill of creative expression.
CHIN 225 Classical Chinese Literature(tr)
A survey of the major genres and modes of a literature that represent the Chinese humanistic perspective. Humanism is the essence of Chinese culture. Moral commitment, emotional sensitivity, intellectual capacity, and philosophical enlightenment constitute the major aspects of humanity. Writers of classical Chinese literature demonstrated a strong sense of social responsibility while granting themselves unrestrained license to self-expression and critical opinions. In their works, these writers confirmed human beings' individual value and vigorously portrayed their plight and pleasure, and they illustrated a firm trust of human intelligence and glorified human effort in search for peace and tranquillity. Through studying the classical Chinese literature, one may develop a better understanding not only of an Asian culture but also of his/her own humanity. All readings are in English. AOS (LIT)
CHIN 235 Modern Chinese Literature (tr)
This course introduces selected works by some of the most sensitive intellectuals of modern China. Participants will study the writers' moral burden to expose the prevalent spiritual corruption in the face of progress and modernization, their emotional intensity in venting indignation and frustration, as well as their faith in human dignity and wisdom. Films will be used for visual reinforcement and for comparative studies on narratives. All readings are in English. AOS (LIT); CR (Asia)
CHIN 245 Chinese Films: The Turn to Tradition
A recurrent theme in contemporary Chinese film is the exploration of how the past has led to the present. In part, this is due to film's participation in a continuing debate over cultural identity in post-traditional China. The films we will view, consider, and discuss for this class each in its own way revisits history and offers a different take on the perception of the past and tradition. Perhaps even more importantly, each film provides its own vantage on how we remember and relate, that is tell, history. To speak of one homogenous "China", however, is a bit disingenuous, for the films produced in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong each reflect the differing social, political, and economic societies in which they were produced. Among the main goals of this course, then will be to explore the ways the individual films are "Chinese" without neglecting regional and even cultural differences. Accordingly, the organizing principal of the course will be the selection, interpretation, and deployment of various aspects of traditional culture and Chinese history in Sinophone film of the last two decades. The Course has been divided into three thematic sections each featuring three films, one each from the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
CHIN 301 Advanced Chinese I
This course is a continuation of the Intermediate Chinese language sequence and starts the Advanced Chinese sequence. The objective is to make a transition from textbook Chinese to real-life communication situations. For this purpose, the course surveys materials including texts from literature, the social sciences and cultural history, and students will be exposed to a wide variety of written and spoken sty improvement of speaking and listening abilities will also be emphasized.
CHIN 302 Advanced Chinese II
This course follows CHIN 301, Advanced Chinese I. It aims at developing good strategies for improving effective reading, writing, and communication skills. More authentic materials will be used. Students will watch Chinese films without English subtitles, listen to Chinese news clips, read Chinese newspapers, and give their own newspaper presentations. They will also have more discussions/written assignments on cultural and current topics. Class projects, including interviewing native speakers of Chinese, will require more sophisticated language skills.
269-337-7001 1200 Academy Street Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006 United States Fax Phone Phone: 269-337-7001 Tuition charges Tuition fees: Please check website for details. Other Categories:  MANDARIN universities/ colleges |
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