Fall 2010 Courses
Students on the fall Duke in China semester program receive credit equivalent to four courses: two Chinese courses and two non-language courses. Descriptions of those classes are below.
Each student on the program will be enrolled in one of the following sections of Chinese, which is equal to one full year of language study, (two semesters of Chinese).
Chinese 111A - 111B
Intensive Progress in Chinese (Equivalent to 2nd year Chinese)
Text Used: A New China: Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese
This course aims to deepen the students' knowledge of fundamental Chinese grammar as well as to develop productive skills in the written and spoken language on a range of topics at an intermediate level. Students will learn to read informational texts and extended narratives, and write descriptive texts of their own. Students will then also use these skills in practical situations in the Chinese community outside of the university, encouraging real-life understanding of different patterns of communication and social interaction.
Chinese 112A - 112B
Advanced Progress in Chinese (Equivalent to 3rd year Chinese)
Text Used: All Things Considered: Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese
This course continues the development of more advanced Chinese language skills. It further enhances the students’ competency and literacy in Chinese by exposure to wider vocabulary and more complex grammar. Students will expand the sophistication of their grammar usage and vocabulary and produce texts of greater length and complexity. Focusing on issues of social and cultural significance in China encourages a deepening of cultural literacy and interpretive skills. Maximum opportunity is given to put this knowledge to use in meaningful conversation and writing.
Chinese 127A - 127B
Intensive Advanced Chinese (Equivalent to 4th year Chinese)
Text Used: Selected readings appropriate for the proficiency background of the students
This course provides an introduction to more complex vocabulary and syntax with special attention given to Chinese cultural and socio-political issues. The fine points of grammar, complex speech patterns, and idiomatic expressions are treated in depth, with emphasis on using these structures in composition and conversation. Students will also learn the social and historical background necessary to understand these cultural forms. Content for the course is drawn from newspaper articles, essays, literary excerpts, films, television, and websites.
Chinese 129A - 129B
Classical Chinese (Equivalent to 5th year Chinese)
Text Used: Language of the Dragon 1: A Classical Chinese Reader
This course is a gateway to understanding traditional Chinese cultural values, philosophy, history, and advanced literary reading and writing which make frequent reference to original stories of idioms (the four character expressions or ‘chengyu’ 成语) from the ancient period. Selected readings in modern Chinese, such as excerpts from newspapers, literature, scholarly writings, and speeches in a formal setting will be added to the ongoing study of classical Chinese. Students will learn methods of writing Chinese essays and rhetorical analysis on a wide range of complex topics. Outside of class, students are given plenty of opportunities to participate in public discourse, including work with local NGOs through service-learning and conducting interviews with native speakers of Chinese.
Each student will be enrolled in the following two non-language classes.
Cultural Anthropology 163 / History 163G / Political Science 100G Themes in Chinese Culture and History: A Multi-disciplinary Approach (CZ, SS, CCI)
This course will develop the student's understanding of Chinese society by exploring a series of historical and contemporary issues using an interdisciplinary approach.
Chinese 193/ Political Science 100GA/ Cultural Anthropology 163A
Independent Directed Research Study on Contemporary China (FL, R)
Guided studies culminating in a research paper. These studies will be supervised by the non-language professor and will include field trips focusing on cultural and social changes in contemporary China. Students are strongly encouraged to incorporate interviews in Chinese into the research for their project.
