Courses

1. Sinophone Women Writers 華人女性文學

Instructor: 楊佳嫻 Yang Chia-Hsien, 施開揚 Brian Skerratt

In traditional China, it was said, "For a woman to play at literature is truly shameful," and women with literary talent were firmly in the minority. However, with changing times, broadening attitudes, and improved access to education, woman writers have come to occupy considerable territory within the literary world. This course will lead students on a reading of the works of modern and contemporary Chinese-language female authors, with a focus on fiction and poetry. The fiction portion will include Lu Yin, Xie Bingying, Xiao Hong, and Eileen Chang of the Republican period; contemporary Taiwanese writers Li Ang and Ping Lu; Hong Kong popular fiction writer Lillian Lee, and overseas writer Yan Geling. The poetry portion will include Republican-era pioneers Bing Xin and Zheng Min; contemporary mainland poets Shu Ting and Zhai Yongming; contemporary Taiwanese poets Xi Murong, Xia Yu, and Ling Yu; and renowned Hong Kong author Xi Xi. Our discussion of their works will touch on romance, family, class, nation, time travel, homosexuality, and self-determination, among other topics. (syllabus) (comments)

2. Theatre in/and Modern Chinese Society 戲劇在／與現當代華人社會

Instructor: 羅仕龍 Shih-Lung Lo

The course suggests 12 reading themes of modern Chinese theatre. We will read passages selected from modern and contemporary plays, including the original texts as well as their adaptations or rewritings presented in different genres such as novel, film or xiqu (traditional Chinese opera). The works attest to their authors’ observation of modern Chinese society and provide an unique perspective into its recent transformations. “All the world’s a stage,” the famous line of Shakespeare can find its echoes in the Chinese modern theatre. Through the reading of plays – not only the words assigned to characters but also a reading between the lines – students are encouraged to think critically about human nature and the interactions among various social roles as elaborated by the language of theatre and other relevant forms. Students will be able to envision and realize the social, historical and political contexts underlying these literary works. (syllabus)

3. Understanding Translation Studies: Theory, Literature, and Their Implications 理解翻譯研究：理論、文獻與衍生現象

Instructor: 王威智 Wei-Chih Wang

How do we theorize the practice of translation? This course is designed to engage translation studies in the context of English and Chinese literature. By conceptualizing translation as a practice of re-reading and re-writing and by reading and comparing literature in the original text and in translation, we will explore many nuances and idioms in both of our focal languages. Further, we will engage with and problematize the objectives, processes, and outcomes associated with translation.

We will begin by familiarizing ourselves with important theories and critical issues in contemporary translation studies. We will discuss various approaches that translators take in order to overcome the problems that are part and parcel of translating a text, taking into account disparate cultural contexts. Although this course focuses on literature, students are encouraged to explore and interrogate other textual genres. Students will learn through close readings of target and source texts how to turn theory into practice in their own translation projects. The ultimate goal of this course is for students to develop a critical awareness of what it means to read a text in translation and what can be lost or interpolated, politically, aesthetically, and culturally, regardless how skilled the practitioner may be. Through their own practice, too, students will gain opportunities to better understand the broad decisions and multiple word-by-word decisions translators must make and to develop some skills of their own in this respect. (syllabus) (comments)

4. Classical Chinese Narrative 中國古典敘事

Instructor: 劉承慧 Cheng-Hui Liu, 李貞慧 Chen-Hui Lee

Before the rise of the Ming-Qing novel, Chinese narrative in earlier periods took the form of tales, legends, and chronicles, resulting in an innovative and influential body of narrative art that straddled literary and historical writing. This course will introduce students to narrative forms and techniques used in the Zuo Tradition, Records of the Grand Historian, and the classical essayistic writing (Guwen). It will provide students with a historical understanding of the development of Chinese narrative and train them in the formal strategies of reading.(syllabus) (comments)

5. Selections from the Poetry of Du Fu 杜甫詩選讀

Instructor: 許銘全 Ming-Chuan Hsu, 李欣錫 Hsin-Hsi Lee

This course will guide students through a close reading of the masterpieces of the greatest Chinese poet, Du Fu (712-770). The poems will be introduced according to the poet’s biography and the major political events of the Tang Dynasty. Students will be able to reflect on Du Fu’s personality, understand his poems, appreciate the artistic features in his works, and explore the value of his poetry in the history of classical Chinese poetry.(syllabus)

6. Dream of the Red Chamber 紅樓夢

Instructor: 羅漪文 Yi-Wen Lo

Published in the 18th century, Dream of the Red Chamber is the culmination of the traditional Chinese novels in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is a beautiful and delicate narrative of the rise and fall of an illustrious, aristocratic family, and also a rich encyclopedia of life and material culture of pre-modern China with a large account of customs, entertainment, food, clothing, gardens, furniture, etc. This course will guide students to appreciate the meaning and aesthetic features of the work by reading some important chapters closely and discussing the connotation of the text in depth in class.(syllabus)

7. Introduction to Classical Chinese 基礎文言文

Instructor: 羅漪文 Yi-Wen Lo

This course is suitable for advanced students of Chinese who have not yet studied wenyan. Using selections from classical Chinese thought and literature, the course will give students a foundation in working with the syntax, grammar, and vocabulary of classical Chinese.(syllabus)

8. Academic Chinese 學術中文

Instructor: 何立行 Lillian Li-hsing Ho

Focusing on reading and writing skills, this course is aimed at high-level students of Mandarin who would like to read and write research papers in Chinese. (syllabus) (comments)

9. Spoken Chinese (Mandarin) for Professionals 高階華語口語表達精修

Instructor: 劉承慧 Cheng-Hui Li, 何立行 Lillian Li-hsing Ho

This course consists of four parts: situation design, knowledge enhancement, practice exercise, and analysis and discussion. It is aimed at high-level students of Mandarin who would like to make the language their specialty (for academic, educational, business, and other purposes).(syllabus)

10. Individual Study 專書閱讀指導

Instructor: To be arranged after students’ signing up

Reading original texts you have selected from the Chinese classics or modern works with the help of a tutor. Students will also have a chance to consult the experts on our faculty during the discussion sessions. (comments)

All courses are taught in Chinese by instructors proficient in English and capable of customizing courses to meet the levels of preparation and the interests of students. Readings available in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

Each course meets for six hours a week for six weeks, totaling 36 hours.