Chinese
Courses in Chinese are designed to develop proficiency in speaking, writing, and reading the language and to acquaint the student with Chinese literature and culture.
Placement in language courses: Students with previous foreign language experience should consult the statement on placement in language courses in the Foreign Languages and Literatures section of this catalog.
The Foreign Languages and Literatures/Chinese minor: A minimum of 15 credits beyond 206 (or equivalent) in Chinese language and literature courses numbered above 200. Courses in Chinese literature offered under world literature may be used to satisfy the requirements for this minor.
Note: Courses taken P-D-F prior to the declaration of a language major or minor will satisfy course and credit requirements for the major or minor. Courses taken P-D-F may not be used to satisfy course and credit require-ments for the major or minor after the major or minor has been declared.
105, 106 First-Year Chinese
4, 4 Staff
An introduction to the sounds and structures of modern Chinese and a foundation in conversation, grammar, reading, and elementary composition.
110 Conversational Chinese I
4; summer 2010
Course offered as part of the Whitman Summer Studies in China program. Taught in China over a period of four weeks by Whitman-selected instructors from China and supervised by the Whitman faculty member who is resident director. This course teaches conversational Chinese based on the vocabulary and sentence patterns the students have learned from Chinese 105 and 106, plus new phrases the students will need living and studying in China. Classes meet three hours per day, five days per week, for a total of 60 hours. Requirements: daily homework, weekly tests, and a final exam covering listening comprehension and spoken Chinese. Prerequisite: Chinese 106 or its equivalent and admission to the Whitman Summer Studies in China program.
205, 206 Second-Year Chinese
4, 4 Staff
Modern spoken and written Chinese. It provides the student with the opportunity to practice conversational skills and to read cultural and literary materials. Prerequisite: Chinese 106 or equivalent.
210 Conversational Chinese II
4; summer 2010
Course offered as part of the Whitman Summer Studies in China program. Taught in China over a period of four weeks by Whitman-selected instructors from China and supervised by the Whitman faculty member who is resident director. This course teaches conversational Chinese based on the vocabulary and sentence patterns the students have learned from Chinese 205 and 206, plus new phrases the students will need living and studying in China. Classes meet three hours per day, five days per week, for a total of 60 hours. Requirements: daily homework, weekly tests, and a final exam covering listening comprehension and spoken Chinese. Prerequisite: Chinese 206 or its equivalent and admission to the Whitman Summer Studies in China program.
250 Chinese Poetry
4; not offered 2009-10
Chinese poetry in its various forms and styles. Representative verse forms, classical as well as modern, will be included. Word-by-word studies of famous poems with which most educated Chinese people are familiar will be the central focus of this course. Both the Chinese text and the English translation will be used to discuss metrical schemes, rhyming patterns, structures, and meanings of Chinese verse. Prerequisites: Chinese 105, Japanese 106 (or equivalent).
305, 306 Third-Year Chinese
4, 4 Staff
Continued practice with spoken and written Mandarin Chinese. The students practice conversational skills, read cultural and literary materials and write essays. Prerequisite: Chinese 206 or equivalent.
310 Conversational Chinese III
4; summer 2010
Course offered as part of the Whitman Summer Studies in China program. Taught in China over a period of four weeks by Whitman-selected instructors from China and supervised by the Whitman faculty member who is resident director. This course teaches conversational Chinese based on the vocabulary and sentence patterns the students have learned from Chinese 305 and 306, plus new phrases the students will need living and studying in China. Classes meet three hours per day, five days per week, for a total of 60 hours. Requirements: daily homework, weekly tests, and a final exam covering listening comprehension and spoken Chinese. Prerequisite: Chinese 306 or its equivalent and admission to the Whitman Summer Studies in China program.
405, 406 Fourth-Year Chinese
4, 4 Staff
This course reads authentic Chinese texts. The students practice conversational skills by discussing the reading materials and presenting oral reports. They also are required to write essays and take written exams. Prerequisites: Chinese 306 or equivalent.
491, 492 Independent Study
1-4, 1-4 Staff
For students who have completed Chinese 406 or equivalent and who desire further studies in Chinese language, literature, or culture. With guidance from the instructor the student may choose readings which interest him or her, discuss them in conference with the instructor, using Chinese as the language of discussion, and/or submit written evidence of his or her work. Prerequisites: Chinese 406 and consent of the instructor.
The program in Chinese also includes courses in classical and modern Chinese literature in translation. These classes are listed below and in the World Literature section of the catalog.
WLit 227 Chinese Folk Literature
4; not offered 2009-10
Introduces students to literary works that reflect Chinese folk beliefs to help develop an understanding of Chinese popular culture. Readings include ballads, narrative poems, short stories, novels, and plays. Through analysis of these literary works in the long span of Chinese history, students study crucial aspects of an old Asian culture. Modern theories of cultural studies, when appropriate, are applied to the examination of specific literary works. Open to all students.
WLit 317 Classical Chinese Drama
4, x Wei-Peng
Classical Chinese drama from the 13th century Yuan drama to the present Peking Opera. Plays selected from the Yuan, Ming, and Ching dynasties for reading and analysis. Chinese theatrical conventions such as masks, facial make-up, costumes, acting, and staging are introduced and discussed before and after viewing several Peking Opera video tapes.
WLit 318 Modern Chinese Literature
4; not offered 2009-10
Chinese poetry, drama, and fiction since the beginning of the 20th century. Studying writings from both mainland China and Taiwan. Knowledge of premodern Chinese literature is not required.
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