Great Chinese Classics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Time commitment totals 170 hours.

CHIN20002Chinese 4A or equivalent

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject offers an introduction to literary Chinese (wenyan) which was the formal written language of imperial China and the foundation of modern written Chinese. A knowledge of literary Chinese is thus indispensable in attaining higher level literacy in Chinese. Literary Chinese also includes texts written in classical Chinese in antiquity. In this subject students will read masterpieces of Chinese philosophy and literature from antiquity to the Tang period. Students will develop skills in reading texts written in full-form characters and acquire a basic knowledge of the particles and syntax of literary Chinese. They will also explore the origin and meaning of Chinese proverbs and the function of wenyan in contemporary usage.

On successful completion of this subject, students should:
acquire foundational skills in the reading of classical Chinese through intensive reading of selective texts from the Chinese tradition;
gain a broad familiarity with the key genres of literary and philosophical texts in ancient China through extensive reading in English translation;
demonstrate the ability to understand basic syntax and vocabulary in classical Chinese;
be able to comprehend the traditional form of the Chinese script that was in use before the contemporary period;
consolidate skills in time management and organisation through the timely completion of assessment items.

A class presentation and paper of 1500 words 20% (during semester), mid-semester test 20% (mid semester) and a 2-hour examination 60% (during the examination period).

Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 80% of classes without an approved exemption you will not be eligible for a pass in this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

• Gateway to the Chinese Classics: A Practical Introduction to Literary Chinese (J L Faurot) China Books and Periodicals, 1995

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This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.