Classical Chinese I

Module title	Classical Chinese I
Module code	FLM3115
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Yan Wen-Thornton (Convenor) Dr Xiaoxi Sun (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	15

Module description

Classical Chinese, also known as Literary Chinese(æ??è¨?æ??), is the language of the classic literature from the Spring and Autumn period to the end of the Qing dynasty, a written form of Old Chinese. Classical Chinese is a traditional style of written Chinese that evolved from the classical language, making it different from any modern spoken form of Chinese. As a medium of the traditional Chinese civilization, Classical Chinese gives learners access to the rich Chinese achievements in philosophy, literature and art.

This module-Classical Chinese (I) is offered to Chinese native and/or near native speakers from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries with significant Chinese-language populations, and/or overseas Chinese speakers who are interested to explore their ancestors’ identity, worship, heritage and culture. The majority of this module will be based on reading, translating from classical Chinese to modern Chinese, and discussing extracts taken from key philosophical, political, literary, and historical texts from the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BCE), Warring States period (476-221BCE), Qin (221-207BCE), Han (202BCE-220CE),Three Kingdoms (220-280CE), Jin (265-420CE) to the Northern and Southern dynasties (420-589CE). It will cover a selection of major genres in which the classical language was used over time.

Students wishing to develop their skills and knowledge should also consider taking FLM3215 Classical Chinese II.

In order to register, you will be required to attend an interview.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module introduces and builds on the principles of Classical Chinese and aims to allow you to:

Learn the fundamentals of Classical Chinese grammar, syntax and vocabulary from Classical and Literary Chinese texts.
Develop greater appreciation of the richness of the Chinese literary tradition by reading selected works of prose and poetry.
Be able to read related literatures and gain a deeper understanding of the research tools available for studying Classical Chinese texts and analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Explain the grammar, syntax and vocabulary of classical and literary Chinese with reference to the period of study and master the range of genres in which educated Chinese wrote in the past and their development.
2. Read, write, translate, research, and provide further analysis of classical literature and interpretation of Chinese philosophy with reference to the period of study.
3. Appreciate some of the ways in which classical Chinese from the period of study has influenced modern Chinese language and culture.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Communicate fluently and spontaneously, orally and/or in writing on complex topics.
5. Read and/or write certain types of texts in classical and literary Chinese from the period of study with the help of annotations and other reference resources.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. Work pro-actively with others as part of a team, react and adapt to some unexpected situations as appropriate and involving discussion.
7. Be able to give structured and/or unstructured oral presentation or play performance on selected topics and/or literature.
8. Research and write a literature review on a topic related to the texts, providing further critical argument and analysis, to demonstrate understanding of classical and literary Chinese from the period of study. Where applicable, be able to make links to their use in modern Chinese.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

Prose works from Chinese philosophy, the three main philosophies of ancient China, which have individually and collectively influenced ancient and modern Chinese societyï¼?

- I Ching (Book of Changes)

-Confucianism (Confucius and The Analects of Confucius; Mencius and Mencius)

-Taoism (Laozi and Tao Te Ching; Zhuangzi and Zhuangzi)

Pre-Qin poetry including the Classic of Poetry:

- Shi Jing (The Classic of Poetry)

-Chu Ci (Verses of Chu Ci)

Poetry and prose works during the Three Kingdoms period:

- Jian’an literature

- Pre-Battle Memorandum to his Majesty by Zhuge Liang

The foremost representative of Field and Garden poetry——Tao Yuanming

Two master pieces of Yuefu poetry:

-The Peacock Flies Southeast

-Ballad of Mulan

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
22	128	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching	22	Language classes: Teaching methods are based on lectures and discussion materials provided on the weekly topics. The module is taught in Mandarin Chinese.
Guided independent study	128	Consolidation of learning; learning activities are supported by various media, including audio-visual resources, and, where appropriate, computer software.

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Formative task Group presentation or Play performance	20-30 minutes. For the group presentation, groups are expected to be 2-3 students, with 3-4 for the performance.	1-4, 6-7	Written and/or oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Research essay	100	3,000 Chinese characters (simplified or traditional)	1-6, 8	Written (and oral upon request)
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Research essay	Research essay	1-6, 8	Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certified reasons judged as acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

There is no course book for this module and a study pack is posted on ELE weekly.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Key words search

China, Classical Chinese, Mandarin, Culture, Literature

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	Interview to establish native level of Chinese language skills
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	05/02/2022
Last revision date	10/03/2023