Asian Languages & Literatures Courses

Asian Languages & Literatures | Courses | Faculty

Japanese also on this page.

(All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise noted.)

Chinese

Note on Elementary and Intermediate Chinese: No more than six credits may be earned for any combination of courses at the Elementary level (Chinese 110, 120, 126). No more than six credits may be earned for any combination of courses at the Intermediate level (Chinese 246).

110 Non-intensive Elementary Chinese I (2nd sem)

Introduction to modern standard Chinese (Mandarin): romanization, phonetics system (Hanyu pinyin), essential sentence structures, basic vocabulary, approximately 180 traditional characters. Basic skills in listening, reading, and writing. Content and structure same as first half of CHINSE 126.

120 Non-intensive Elementary Chinese II (1st sem)

Equivalent to the second half of CHINSE 126 in content. Further development of communicative skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Introduction to the next 200 traditional characters. Prerequisite: CHINSE 110.

126 Intensive Elementary Chinese I (1st sem) 6 cr

Beginning course on modern standard Chinese (Mandarin). Introduction to the romanization phonetic system of Chinese (Hanyu pinyin), essential sentence structures, basic vocabulary. Rigorous training in pronunciation and tones, accuracy and fluency in speaking. Emphasis on overall development of communicative competence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 380 Chinese characters in traditional form.

136 Introduction to the Chinese Cinema (ATG)

Chinese cinema, broadly defined to include films from Hong Kong and Taiwan, from its inception at the turn of the century to the present. Explores Chinese film as an art form, an instrument of political propaganda, and a medium of mass entertainment. No background required, although some knowledge of modern Chinese history is helpful. Conducted in English.

138 Religion in Chinese Culture (IG)
(1st sem)

Introduction to the major religious traditions in Chinese culture: Taoism, Buddhism, the state religious cult, popular religion, and Islam. Emphasis on historical developments, and political, social, and cultural influences.

153 Chinese Literature: Poetry (ALG)

Historical introduction to Chinese poetry from earliest times to the modern period; emphasis on major poets and periods. Conducted in English.

154 Chinese Literature: Tales, Short Stories, Novels (ALG)

Chinese fictional works from early times to fall of the empire in 1911. Approach combines historical with thematic. Readings concerning adventure, love, revenge, crime and detection, manners, religious allegory, karma, and the supernatural are in English translation.

155 Chinese Myths and Legends (ALG)

Introduction to myths and legends of traditional China: gods, goddesses, immortals, dragons, and deified heroes. Their ancient forms and how they appear in literature and art. Conducted in English.

197 Special Topics

Chinese Script I (1st sem)

Historical and contemporary variations of the Chinese writing system. Analyzes the structure of Chinese characters from a historical perspective. Develops ability to recognize Chinese characters in a variety of printed and non-printed forms. Hands-on experience. Conducted in English.

Chinese Script II (2nd sem)

Continuation of CHINSE 197A. Further analysis of Chinese characters from the historical perspective. Prerequisite: Chinese Script I or consent of instructor. Conducted in English.

246 Intensive Elementary Chinese II (2nd sem) 6 cr

Continuation of CHINSE 120 or 126, further developing aural-oral skills in modern standard Mandarin. Focus gradually shifts toward reading and writing. Introduces next 400 characters in traditional form, principles of character simplification, and use of Chinese-English dictionaries.

285 Language Suite Conversation
(both sem) 2 cr with 1-cr Honors option

Designed as part of the living-learning community in Thatcher Language House. Improves knowledge of the Chinese language with emphasis on oral skills. Builds vocabulary, develops ability to understand and communicate more freely in the language by focusing on social and cultural issues.

326 Intensive Intermediate Chinese I (1st sem) 6 cr

Develops ability in spoken Mandarin and increases knowledge of Chinese characters. Prerequisite: CHINSE 246.

327 Intensive Intermediate Chinese II (2nd sem) 6 cr

Develops reading and speaking abilities in Mandarin. Should recognize 1800 characters by year's end. Prerequisite: CHINSE 326.

375 Introduction to Chinese Linguistics

Introduction to the general nature of modern Chinese syntax. Survey of phonological and syntactic structures, vocabulary makeup and development in this century, current changes in writing system, progress in standardization, major typological characteristics. Mandarin and other major dialects included. Prerequisite: CHINSE 327.

391G Junior Year Writing Program

Required of all Chinese majors during their junior or senior year. Prerequisite: successful completion of the GenEd College Writing (CW) requirement.

426 Advanced Modern Chinese I (1st sem)

A continuation of Intermediate Chinese. Further expansion of vocabulary and extensive practice of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Review of Chinese grammar as needed. Conducted in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHINSE 327 or consent of instructor.

427 Advanced Modern Chinese II (2nd sem)

Further expansion of vocabulary and extensive listening, reading, speaking and writing. Review of Chinese grammar as needed. Conducted in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHINSE 426 or consent of instructor.

432 Media Chinese

Improves reading and listening comprehension through the use of authentic materials in Chinese media such as newspapers and television programs. Learn special vocabulary and style commonly used in journalistic Chinese. Learn Chinese word-processing, browsing news in Chinese on the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: CHINSE 426.

433 Business Chinese

Introduction to terminology and basics of foreign trade in Chinese. Builds fluency in reading authentic texts and documents of business Chinese. Training in writing and translating business letters regarding import and export, and conducting business negotiation in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHINSE 426 or consent of instructor.

450 Elementary Classical Chinese 4 cr

Introduction to the literary language of China and to methods for study and philological analysis of Chinese texts. Prerequisite: CHINSE 246 orƯJAPAN 327.

451 Intermediate Classical Chinese

Develops facility in the literary language of China, increases reading speed, expands vocabulary, further introduces methods for the study and philological analysis of Chinese texts. Readings from a variety of medieval and ancient literature, Tang poetry, and Buddhist texts. Prerequisite: CHINSE 450.

526 Readings in Modern Chinese Literature I (1st sem)

Critical reading and appreciation of selections from modern Chinese literary works of various genres, including short stories, novels, plays, and poems. Reading and discussion in Chinese. Prerequisites: CHINSE 426 and 427 or consent of instructor.

527 Readings in Modern Chinese Literature II (2nd sem)

Continuation of critical reading and appreciations of selections from modern Chinese literary works of various genres, including short stories, novels, plays, and poems. Reading and discussion in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHINSE 526 or consent of instructor.

528 Chinese Language in Contexts

For upper-division undergraduate and graduate students. Explores aspects of Chinese language as studied in traditional Chinese linguistics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, and Chinese dialectology. Topics include historical sources, traditional divisions, formation of the standard dialect (Mandarin), social variations and geographical distributions. Prerequisites: CHINSE 375 and 427 or consent of instructor.

552 Readings in Chinese Historical Texts

Furthers the study of Classical Chinese through advanced readings. Introduction to content, conventions, and styles of various types of Chinese historical writings. Prerequisite: CHINSE 451.

555 Classical Chinese Poetry

Critical reading and appreciation of selections from major anthologies and authors of various poetic genres written in classical Chinese from the Chou dynasty to the present. Prerequisite: CHINSE 451.

556 Classical Chinese Prose

Critical reading and appreciation of selected essays of various forms in literary Chinese written by classical and neoclassical masters. Prerequisite: CHINSE 451.

570 Introduction to Research in Chinese Source Materials

Introduction to a variety of basic research tools necessary for the study of Chinese primary sources. Extensive use of University Library's East Asia Collection. How to use dictionaries, biographical and geographical references, indices, bibliographies, calendrical concordances, etc. Prerequisite: CHINSE 450.

575 Syntactic Structures of Chinese

Introduction to general nature of Chinese syntax: Mandarin in particular. Analysis of major syntactic constructions of Mandarin. Current issues in Chinese linguistics: special references to topics of controversy on Mainland China before the cultural revolution. Prerequisites: CHINSE 327 and 375.

576 History of the Chinese Language

Develops the ability to use source materials in Chinese linguistics. Historical survey of the nature and development of Chinese grammatical and phonological structures in three stages: Archaic, Ancient and Modern. Prerequisite: CHINSE 375.

577 Chinese Dialectology

Focus on geographical distribution and historical development of modern Chinese dialects. Systematic survey of phonological, lexical, and syntactic structures of seven major Chinese dialectal groups. Reconstruction of phonological systems of Old Chinese and Middle Chinese. Prerequisite: CHINSE 375.

580 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language I

Introduction to theory and research related to Chinese and other foreign language teaching and learning. Survey of major teaching methods with emphasis on their application to Chinese teaching. Other topics include: language pedagogy, lesson planning, teaching techniques, material development, testing, and teacher development. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

581 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language II

Examines research and significant issues concerning Chinese language teaching and learning, and their implications for classroom instruction. Topics include: language acquisition, interlanguage and error correction, testing and assessment, culture and language learning, heritage learners, learning strategies, use of technology. Prerequisite: CHINSE 580.

Japanese

Note on Elementary and Intermediate Japanese: No more than six credits may be earned for any combination of courses at the Elementary level (JAPAN 110, 120, 126). No more than six credits may be earned for any combination of courses at the Intermediate level (JAPAN 246).

110 Non-Intensive Elementary Japanese I (2nd sem)

Course develops basic skills in modern standard Japanese: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

120 Non-Intensive Elementary Japanese II (1st sem)

Further development of the basic skills in Japanese as listed above. Prerequisite: JAPAN 110.

126 Intensive Elementary Japanese I (1st sem) 6 cr

Modern standard Japanese: speaking, reading, and writing.

135 Japanese Art and Culture (IG)

Exploration of Japan's secular and religious arts and their impact on gendered literary texts, such as early aristocratic women's writings and medieval warrior epics. Films about the traditional theater, which influenced the culture of sexuality, and about the Zen-inspired art of the tea ceremony, which reflected political upheaval. Locating points of intersection between art and literature, religion and politics in modern Japan under Western influence. Conducted in English.

143 Japanese Literature: Classical and Medieval (ALG)

Introduction to Japanese poetry, prose, and plays, from the creation myths to the court-ly romance (The Tale of Genji) to the warrior epic (The Tale of the Heike) to Noh drama. Linking humanistic, aesthetic, and religious values to literary expression and development. Conducted in English.

144 Japanese Literature in Translation (ALG)

Introduction to Japanese literature from around 1600 to present. Alternating between reading poetry and prose and viewing classics of Japanese film. Discussion of the construction of love and death during centuries of national seclusion and in the era of Western influence. Focus on changing gender relations and on the status of discriminated against minorities. Conducted in English.

197A Japanese Poetry and Song

Introduction to Japanese poetry and song. Exploration of 58 texts ranging from pop lyrics to eighth-century love poetry; their poetic forms; relationship to Chinese and Western literary traditions; issues of gender/role playing and authorship/authority.

246 Intensive Elementary Japanese II
(2nd sem) 6 cr

Acquisition of basic competence in the areas of speaking, reading, and writing. Part 2 of a two-part course. Prerequisite: JAPAN 126.

285 Language Suite Conversation
(both sem) 2 cr with 1-cr Honors option

Designed as part of the living-learning community in Thatcher Language House. Improves knowledge of the Japanese language with emphasis on oral skills. Builds vocabulary, develops ability to understand and communicate more freely in the language by focusing on social and cultural issues.

326 Intensive Intermediate Japanese I (1st sem) 6 cr

Reading and analysis of literary texts. Much time devoted to understanding Japanese grammar and oral practice. Prerequisite: JAPAN 246.

327 Intensive Intermediate Japanese II (2nd sem) 6 cr

Strengthening of reading skills through reading, grammatical analysis, and discussion of text. Building spoken fluency by discussion of lesson contents and oral drills on new vocabulary and grammar. Emphasis on building vocabulary through learning kanji.ƯPart 2 of two-part course. Prerequisite: JAPAN 326.

375 Introduction to Japanese Linguistics

General nature of modern Japanese phonology and syntax. Detailed analysis of major syntactic construction of modern "standard" Japanese. Controversial issues in Japanese linguistics. Prerequisite: JAPAN 246. Linguistics 101 or 401 may be taken concurrently.

391A Landscape and Travel in Japanese Literature

Seminar traces tradition of travel writing in Japanese literature; explores cultural encoding of landscape, Chinese literary precedents and Western parallels, political implications of writing about place.

391G Junior Year Writing Program

Required of all Japanese majors during their junior or senior year. Prerequisite: succcessful completion of College Writing (CW) requirement.

426 Readings in Modern Japanese I (1st sem) 6 cr

Extensive reading of general interest materials. Use of Japanese reference collection in the department and library. Instruction primarily in Japanese. Prerequisite: JAPAN 327.

427 Readings in Modern Japanese II (2nd sem) 6 cr

Reading of wide selection of modern Japanese literary materials and newspaper articles. Discussion primarily in Japanese. Emphasis on improving reading comprehension and writing fluency. Prerequisite: JAPAN 426.

528 Japanese Language in Contexts

Sociolinguistic aspects of modern Japanese, with special attention to culture-dependent assumptions and their relevance to language use. Prerequisite: JAPAN 427 or consent of instructor.

532 Media Japanese I

Helps advanced students improve their conversational skills, especially listening comprehension for uncontrolled and colloquial conversation. Prerequisite: JAPAN 426 or consent of instructor.

533 Media Japanese II

Continues to build upon acquired skills in conversation and listening comprehension. Regular assignments and exams. Prerequisite: JAPAN 532 or consent of instructor.

536 Advanced Modern Japanese (1st sem)

Students read modern Japanese literary, scholarly, and popular materials; develop skills in composition and English-Japanese/Japanese-English translation. For advanced students. Prerequisite: JAPAN 427.

537 Advanced Modern Japanese II (2nd sem)

Further reading in literary materials with concentration on translation from English-Japanese and Japanese-English. Prerequisite: JAPAN 536.

556 Introduction to Classical Japanese I

Introduction to the literary language of Japanese through the study of classical grammar and the linguistic analysis of poetry and prose. Prerequisite: JAPAN 426.

557 Introduction to Classical Japanese II

Critical reading and appreciation of selected major masterpieces in cultural and literary contexts; improving grammar and dictionary skills. Prerequisite: JAPAN 556 or consent of instructor.

560 Seminar in Japanese Literature

Exploration of varied topics such as the construct of masculinity, women's issues, warfare and its consequences, or of specific genres, such as diaries, poetry or the theater. Emphasis on the transformation of literary forms into cinematographic expressions. Topics change from semester to semester; may be repeated up to four times. Readings in English. Prerequisite: JAPAN 144 or grounding in other areas of European or Asian literature with consent of instructor.

570 Introduction to Reference and Bibliography

Introduction to Japanese resources available through general reference works, bibliographies, and the Internet, to important special reference materials. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

575 Syntactic Structures of Japanese

Detailed analysis of major syntactic structures of modern "standard" Japanese. Discussion of current and controversial issues in Japanese syntax. Prerequisite: JAPAN 427 or consent of instructor.

580 Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language

Seminar in the theoretical and practical approaches to learning and teaching foreign language. Topics include materials, development, lesson planning, teaching methodology, testing and assessment, and teacher development. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

581 Issues in Foreign Language Learning

Seminar on significant issues in learning and teaching a foreign language, with a focus on Japanese, and research methods to investigate such issues. Topics include second-language acquisition, classroom instruction, learning and teaching culture, assessment and testing, and learner factors. Completion of a research project and papers on a review of prior research, proposal, and results of the project required. Prerequisite: consent of instructor and completion of JAPAN 426 with good academic standing.

Asian Languages & Literatures | Courses | Faculty