DOCUMENTATION OF COURSEWORK
大学课程
Below you will find descriptions of the classes that enhanced my understanding of Chinese language and culture as an undergraduate.
下面你会发现这些课程的说明，这些课程提高了我作为本科生对中国语言和文化的理解。
Chinese Language Courses
Elementary Chinese
CHIN 101
CHIN 102
These classes were designed to introduce basic Chinese language and culture problems to students with no Chinese language background. The course began with learning pinyin and advanced to learning basic vocabulary, grammar, and conversation style.
Intermediate Chinese
CHIN 201
CHIN 202
These classes largely focused on Chinese conversation and pronunciation development for students with one year of Chinese language experience.
Advanced Language Requirement
CHIN 305
CHIN 306
These courses focused on listening comprehension, speaking skills, reading and writing proficiency in Chinese. Grammar points were a key focus of both classes. Various activities - discussions, oral presentations, conversions were required to practice speaking and listening.
Advanced Chinese Grammar and Composition
CHIN 407
CHIN 408
These courses required multiple oral presentations and in-depth essays composed in Mandarin. The courses focused on enhancing grammar and pronunciation of students to strive for fluency. Additionally, the conversation-based classes often revolved around Chinese culture, so vocabulary pertinent to Chinese culture was included.
Chinese Culture, History, Philosophy, and Humanities Courses
CHIN 3120 Philosophy in Ancient China
This course surveyed China’s history from the birth of civilization up to the modern era. The evolution and development of tradition, culture, philosophical thought, political organization, social structure, economic institutions, religious practice, and foreign relations in China were all discussed as a holistic approach and application of Chinese philosophy. The class also compared social institutions and technological developments as they emerged in China and the West.
CHIN 3130 Philosophy in Modern China
This class discussed Chinese thought and culture beginning with the first opium war in 1840 through present day. The course discussed the interrelationship between China and the west as well. With special attention to influential events, figures and political parties, this course provided students an overall view of modern Chinese philosophy and history, particularly its inevitable, although at times contested, modernization. This course engaged students in debate of causes and effects throughout Chinese history.
ANTH 439 Tibetan Culture and Society
This course introduced Tibetan Society and Culture, including history and structure and emphasizing the relationship between Tibetan Buddhism or Lamaism and Tibetan Culture. As a central element of Tibetan civilization, Tibetan Buddhism has shaped its politics, economy, identity, education and society. However, Tibetan Culture is not only Tibetan Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism is not equal to Lamaism. The course also explored some aspects of social life and culture. As giving some visible material, the course introduced some Academic research, such as Why Tibetan Culture has become a global phenomenon and how Tibetan traditional cultural is poised to face globalization.
PSC 407 Political Systems in China
This course covered the government and politics of China. It provided a comprehensive understanding of the Chinese society from 1949 to the present. Chinese history, culture, social and political system were introduced in this class. Methodology included introduction, discussions, analysis, comparison and seminars. Critical and analytical thinking was required in class discussion of the material.
LANG 3710 Language and Culture
This course evaluated cultures from around the world in order to discuss how language in it of itself is a key to understanding the culture of civilizations. It engaged case studies through a variety of cultures to demonstrate correlations between language acquisition and cultural practices.
CHIN 401 Pre-Modern Chinese Literature
This course focused on Chinese prose and poetry in the pre-modern time, with special attention to how Confucian and Daoist philosophies manifested through literature.
Sichuan Cuisine:
Cuisine culture is a very important part of Chinese culture. We will introduce the history, main category of Chinese cuisine and emphasis on the most popular one: Sichuan Cuisine in history, development， feature and why it is so popular in China and even the whole world.