Chinese Linguistics and Literature

3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1023812BNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

Faculty

Faculty of Languages & Humanities

Department

Linguistics and Literary Studies

Educational team

Ann Peeters
Maarten Gernay
Jianwei Xu (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

13 contact hours Lecture
15 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
90 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

This course is a brief introduction to the Chinese language and the development of the major genres of Chinese literature in different historical periods. For the linguistics component, the history, the evolution as well as the nature of the language and the culturally distinctive expressions will be discussed. Concerning the literature component, we will examine some selected literary works that have considerable linguistic and literary importance in the history of Chinese literature. These works include genres such as prose, poetry, classical novels, drama and fiction from different historical periods, and they will be surveyed through a comparative reading approach in the original Chinese language and English translations.

Course material

Handbook (Recommended) : A history of the Chinese language, Hongyuan Dong, 2nd, Routledge, 9780367209858, 2020
Handbook (Recommended) : Chinese literature, Yao Dan et al, Cambridge University Press, 9780521186780, 2012
Digital course material (Required) : Digital course material made available on Canvas

Additional info

Students are expected to attend the lectures regularly on the campus. Digital attendance and access to class recordings need the support of a clear motivation.The instructor can be reached at jianwei.xu@vub.be

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

Students who complete this course will be able to

describe and discuss the evolution of the Chinese language in terms of periodization, key terms and characteristics as well as major forms and works.
name and explain some culturally distinctive expressions or be able to read and appreciate a Chinese poem.
explain and analyse some major selected literary genres and works and situate them in various historical and cultural contexts.
appraise and demonstrate the knowledge acquired on a chosen topic through a video presentation.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 40% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 20% of the final mark.
PRAC Presentation determines 40% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Application with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

Note: Oral exam

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Practical with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Note: Continuous assessment

Within the PRAC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Practical with a relative weight of 40 which comprises 40% of the final mark.

Note: Written assignment

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:

Continuous assessment (class contribution) 20%
Oral assignment 40%
Oral exam 40%

Exams in August/September: continuous assessment to be carried over (20%), oral assignment (40%) and oral exam (40%)

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context