George Mason University
Department of Modern & Classical Languages
Spring 2010 CHIN325 – Major
Chinese Writers
Class Meeting Time:
TR 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Class Meeting Place: Art and
Instructor:
Liu, Dan
Office Location:
Office Hours:
TR 1:00p.m.- 2:00p.m. and by appointment
Office Phone:
(703) 993-7779
E-mail:
dliu6@gmu.edu
Course Description/Objectives
Course
specific learning outcomes
The purpose of this course is to provide detailed readings
of some major Chinese writers of the twentieth century. For each of the
readings, we will examine social and historical circumstances that described in
their works, the messages that the writers conveyed through literary works, and
the various literary devices contribute to the meaning of the
text as well. Our close reading will focus on the primary, literary
text in order to appreciate the literary qualities of these works and to enrich
our understanding and appreciation of literature in general.
The course format combines lecture and discussion.
Brief lectures by the instructor will introduce historical background and
propose possible frameworks for reading the texts. In-class discussions
will allow you to share responses, exchange ideas, check understanding, and
practice close reading. It is hoped that through the readings and discussions
you will be able to gain some knowledge of Chinese literature, develop
independent and critical thinking in a stimulating, non-judgmental environment.
General Education Learning outcomes
This course is part of the
University General Education Program. The General Education mission statement
is in the University Catalog (p. 9) and on the web at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/provost/gened/
Required
Lu Xun. The True Story of Ah Q.
Lao She. Rickshaw: The Novel Lo-t'o Hsiang Tzu.
Shen Congwen.
Yu, Hua. To Live.
Wang Anyi, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow.
Course Requirements
1. Attendance
& in class performance & blackboard discussion
Attendance of class
sessions is crucial. You should keep in mind that part of your grade is based
on attendance and that absences count against you regardless of the reasons.
There will be no penalty for the first two missed classes. After that, however,
each absence will reduce the final grade by one percentage point. Class
participation and blackboard discussion are expected since talking with fellow
students is the best way to learn. So earn your good grade the fun way—start
and keep talking in class! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
2. Journals
(1+ pages each entry;
typed, double-spaced, size 12)
You are required to keep a reading journal, which will help you
articulate your thoughts on the texts and will contribute to productive and
successful discussions in class.
3. Quizzes
A pop quiz will be given on any day. It will be a couple of simple
questions on material covered in the class lectures. Be prepared and read
before class.
4. Presentation
(20-minute oral report)
You will be asked to
select one text based on our session by session schedule and give an in class
presentation. Possible topics for the presentations are studies of themes,
subject matters, such as modernity, gender, revolution and so on to analyze how
they are represented in the text. You can also study the characterization in
the stories, or examine the characters in the context of historical and
sociopolitical changes. Other elements of literature, such as language,
narrative voice, style, genre, metaphor, etc. can be the focus of your
presentation, too. In all, you need to make a clear argument/present a
reasonable opinion, supported by details from the text and/or your research.
Your presentation should inform your audience your thoughts, questions, and
insights about the texts.
Please do NOT just
summarize the text(s), except when you are presenting the criticisms. But you
are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions.
A signup sheet will
be passed around the first and second week in class. You presentation will be
graded on organization, content, creativity/originality, delivery and
mechanics.
More details will be
given in class.
5. Final
Paper (6-8 pages, double spaced, MLA) + Peer Review Form Due 4/20
Your final paper
analyzes and discusses at least one of the texts we cover in class. This
paper is a formal academic paper, in which you must present your thesis
statement (your main argument), supported by well-organized evidences from the
text(s) or your research.
You must cite
your sources. Failure to cite will be considered plagiarism and reported to the
University. It will also result in an F for the course.
This paper is a critical analysis of the text(s),
characters, etc. Remember Critical
analysis is NOT:
You will also be
asked to do a peer review on your final paper which will be an opportunity for
you to learn from each other and to develop skills in constructive and critical
evaluation of written arguments.
More details will be
given in class.
6. Midterm
Exam in class.
7. Final
Exam in class.
Final exam consists
of short essay questions. A review sheet will be given a week before the exam. Please
bring your “Blue Book”.
8. Extra
Credits
Some Extra Credit
reports will be offered to anyone who would like to go extra miles to learn in
more depth about modern Chinese culture, art, or literature. However, no extra
credit points will be accepted after the final exam.
Using Student Work for Assessment (approved by Provost Peter Stearns in Dec. 2008)
All academic programs at
Mason (including the General Education Program) have student learning outcomes
that are assessed periodically. Your work from this course may be
selected for use in such an assessment. Your anonymity is assured and
your grade will not be affected. At any time, you may contact the Office
of Institutional Assessment (assessment@gmu.edu) with questions, concerns, and comments about the use of your
work.
Honor Code
The George Mason University Honor Code is in effect
throughout the entire duration of the course and applies to all course work
carried out inside and outside the classroom. It is the responsibility of each
student to be familiar with the GMU Honor System and Code as laid out in the
Student Handbook.
Please refer to http://www.gmu.edu/mlstudents/handbook/honor.html
for detailed information.
Policy on Disabilities
Students with disabilities who seek accommodations in a
course must be registered with the GMU Disability Resource Center (DRC) and
inform the instructor, in writing, at the beginning of the semester. Please see
www.gmu.edu/student/drc or call 703-993-2474 to access the DRC.
GMU Email Accounts
Students must activate their GMU email accounts to
receive important University information, including messages related to this
class.
Other
Useful Campus Resources:
Writing Centre: A114 Robinson Hall; (703)
993-1200; http://writingcenter.gmu.edu
University Libraries: “Ask a Librarian” http://library.gmu.edu/mudge/IM/IMRef.html
Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS):
(703) 993-2380; http://caps.gmu.edu
University
Policies
The University Catalog, http://catalog.gmu.edu, is the central resource
for university policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in
university affairs.
Last Day to Add: Feb.2,
2010
Last Day to Drop: Feb.19,
2010
Grades
Final grades are
composed as follows:
Attendance + in
class performance + blackboard discussion 20%
Journals 10%
Quizzes
10%
Presentation
10%
Final Paper and Peer
Review Form
20% (15%+5%)
Midterm
Exam
10%
Final
Exam
20%
Grading Scale
A 100
B+ 89-87
B 86-83
B- 82
D 69
Session Schedule
|
Date |
Session contents |
Due date |
|
Week 1 |
Introduction to the
Course Why these writers and
these works? Sign up for
presentation |
|
|
1/21 |
Lu Xun, The True Story of Ah Q Sign up for
presentation |
|
|
Week 2 |
The True Story of Ah Q, chapters 1-3 Sign up for
presentation |
Journal #1 |
|
1/28 |
The True Story of Ah Q, chapters 4-6 Sign up for
presentation |
|
|
Week 3 |
The True Story of Ah Q, chapters 7-9 |
Journal #2 |
|
2/4 |
Lao She,
Rickshaw: The Novel Lo-t'o Hsiang Tzu Screening: Rickshaw Boy |
|
|
Week 4 |
Screening: Rickshaw Boy continued |
Journal #3 |
|
2/11 |
Rickshaw: The Novel Lo-t'o Hsiang Tzu. Chapters 1-8 |
|
|
Week 5 |
Rickshaw: The Novel Lo-t'o Hsiang Tzu. Chapters 9-16 |
Journal #4 |
|
2/18 |
Rickshaw: The Novel Lo-t'o Hsiang Tzu. Chapters 17-24 |
|
|
Week 6 |
Shen
Congwen, |
Journal #5 |
|
2/25 |
Border |
|
|
Week 7 |
|
Journal #6 |
|
3/ 4 |
|
|
|
Week 8 |
Spring Break |
|
|
3/ 11 |
Spring Break |
|
|
Week 9 |
Mid-term Exam |
|
|
3/ 18 |
Yu Hua, To Live Screening: To Live |
Journal #7 |
|
Week 10 |
Screening: To Live Continued |
|
|
3/ 25 |
To Live, pp3-85 |
Journal #8 |
|
Week 11 |
To Live, pp85-161 |
|
|
4/ 1 |
To Live, pp162-235 |
|
|
Week 12 |
To Live Discussion |
|
|
4/ 8 |
Final Paper Peer
Review |
Journal #9 |
|
Week 13 |
Wang
Anyi, The Song of Everlasting Sorrow |
|
|
4/ 15 |
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, Part 1 |
Journal #10 |
|
Week 14 |
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, Part 2 |
Final Paper Due |
|
4/ 22 |
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow, Part 3 |
|
|
Week 15 |
Screening:
Not One Less |
|
|
4/ 29 |
Screening: Not One Less continued Discussion |
|
|
Week 16 5/6 |
Final
Exam: 10:30am-1:15pm in the same classroom HAVE A GREAT SUMMER! |
|