This in-person, intermediate-advanced course is for students who have taken two or three years of Chinese language to enhance their language proficiency and cultural awareness in contemporary China. Students will develop their Chinese language skills in interpersonal, interpretive, intercultural, and presentational communications. Students will expand their cultural proficiency and analytical skills by discussing a series of topics in contemporary Chinese society, including divorce, gaining weight and losing weight, the standard of living, senior living, transportation, digital communication, and studying abroad.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to 1) engage in conversations and discussions in Chinese on different social and cultural topics; 2) analyze related topics from their historical, cultural, and social backgrounds in Chinese and in English; 3) analyze and present data collected from interviews; 4) compare cultural practices and perspectives between students’ own cultures and Chinese culture both in Chinese and in English.
Chih-P’ing Chou, Joanne Chiang, Jianna Eagar. A New China: An Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese. Revised Edition. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2011.
- Attendance and Participation 10%
- Two in-class oral presentations 10%
- Preview quizzes 10%
- In-class Quizzes 10%
- Review quizzes 20%
- Tests 15%
- Final Skit Performance/Presentation/Movie Project 10%
- Final Exam 15%
- You are expected to attend all classes and be punctual.
- If you miss more than three classes for no excused reason, your course grade will be lowered by 2% for each class you miss from the 4th absence on.
- Before each class, you should memorize new vocabulary and preview the lesson text.
- In every class, you should have your textbook at hand, answer the instructor’s questions, listen to your peers’ answers, and actively participate in drill practices and class activities. You are encouraged to ask questions in class.
- Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
- An AI cannot earn course credits. AI contributions must be attributed and true. AI use should be open and documented. AI here refers to AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Translations, and so on. These three principles apply to external help such as tutors, friends, and virtual assistants.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence