George Mason University
Department of Modern & Classical Languages
Spring 2008 CHINESE 301 – Advanced Grammar and Syntax
Class Meeting Time: TR 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Class Meeting Place: T117
Instructor:
Chen, Xi
Office Location: Thompson Hall 234-A
Office Hours: TR
2:00p.m.- 3:00 p.m. or by appointment
Office Phone: (703)
993-1631
E-mail:
xchen8@gmu.edu
Course website: http://mason.gmu.edu/~kzhang/index.html
Course Description/ Objectives
CHIN 301 is the second semester of the third-year Chinese and designed for
advanced students. Completion of CHIN 300 or equivalent is required. With a
focus on advanced grammar and syntax, this course also strongly emphasizes the
further development of writing, speaking and listening skills. Specifically,
students are expected
·to develop a solid grasp of more complex Chinese syntax through the intense
study and practice of grammar and common idiomatic expressions
·to broaden their vocabulary and active character knowledge
·to learn and appreciate various unique aspects of written and spoken Chinese
·to employ effectively all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing)
in classroom activities and homework assignments
·to appreciate Chinese culture as an integral part of the Chinese language
Textbook (two volumes)
A Trip to China: Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese by Chih-p'ing
Chou. Princeton University Press: Princeton, New Jersey, 1996. (Text)
A Trip to China: Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese - Vocabulary, Grammar
Notes, Exercises by Der-lin Chao. Princeton University Press: Princeton,
New Jersey, 1996.
Recommended Dictionary:
The Oxford Chinese Dictionary. New International Edition.
Chinese-English/ English-Chinese.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Course Requirements & Rules
1. Attendance. Attendance at class meetings is crucial. Students should keep in mind that part of their grade is based on attendance and that absences count against them 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. (That is, twelve absence over the course of the semester will result in a ten percentage point subtraction from the final grade, so even perfect scores on all tests and homework assignments will result in a "B").
2. Preparation & In-Class Performance. Thorough preparation of the materials to be covered in each session and in-class performance will be graded on a four-point scale. Students who come in well prepared and perform well will get four points each day. Those who are not well prepared, do not participate, do not pay attention, or disrupt the class, will receive lower scores accordingly. Absence, of course, scores a zero. Students are expected to prepare beforehand the material to be covered in class, such as new vocabulary, grammar, and sentence patterns. A detailed session-by-session schedule is provided for this purpose. Short vocabulary quizzes may be given from time to time at the beginning of class to test the level of preparation. Pagers and cell phones should be turned off before the beginning of class.
3. Quizzes. There will be a quiz after each lesson. The lowest score on a quiz (including zero for a missed quiz) will be dropped when calculating the final grade. There will be no make-up quizzes or quizzes taken in advance, unless the student has a legitimate reason and informs the instructor in a timely fashion.
4. Homework. Homework will be due no later than the day of the quiz. Late homework will be corrected, but no credit will be given for it.
5. 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.
Quizzes & Final
Exam
We will study eight more chapters in the textbook. There will be seven quizzes
that cover Lessons 9 to 15 respectively. The quizzes will test listening,
reading, and writing skills, as well as knowledge of grammar and cultural
aspects. 60% of the written final exam at the end of the semester will cover
chapter 16 and 40% of the written final will cover the other seven chapters
studied during the semester.
Oral Exam
There will be a final oral exam at the end of the semester. Each student is
required to give a presentation of approximately 5 to 10 minutes in front of
the class on a topic of his or her choice. Students should try to incorporate
as much of the studied material/ grammar/ vocabulary as possible, but they can
be creative in devising form and content of the presentation. For example, the
presentation can be a role-play, the telling of a story, describing a picture
or scene, or a discussion of socio-cultural issues related to the lessons
covered during the semester. Students are required to submit a draft of the
proposed presentation to the instructor in advance. More details will be given
in class.
Grades
Final grades are composed as follows:
In-Class Performance 20 %
Homework
20 %
Quizzes
30 %
Oral
10 %
Final
20 %
Grading Scale
A 100-93
A- 92-90
B+ 89-87
B 86-83
B- 82-80
C+ 79-77
C 76-73
C- 72-70
D 69-60
F 59-
0
Session Schedule
|
Date |
Class |
Homework |
|
Week 1 |
Introduction to the Course |
|
|
1/24 R |
L 9 Vocabulary |
|
|
Week 2 |
|
|
|
1/31 R |
L9 Grammar Notes; Exercises |
|
|
Week 3 |
|
L 9 Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
2/7 R |
L10 Vocabulary & Text |
|
|
Week 4 |
L10 Grammar Notes; Exercises |
|
|
2/14 R |
L10 Quiz L11 Vocabulary |
L 10 Homework Due(Translations, Compositions) |
|
Week 5 |
L11 Vocabulary & Text |
|
|
2/21 R |
L11 Grammar Notes; Exercises |
|
|
Week 6 |
L11 Quiz L 12 Vocabulary |
L 11 Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
2/28 R |
L12 Vocabulary & Text |
|
|
Week 7 |
L12 Grammar Notes; Exercises |
|
|
3/6 R |
L12 Quiz; L13 Vocabulary |
L 12 Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
Week 8 |
Spring Break |
|
|
Week 9 |
L13 Vocabulary& Text |
|
|
3/20 R |
L13 Grammar Notes; Exercises |
|
|
Week 10 |
L13 Quiz & L14 Vocabulary |
L 13 Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
3/27 R |
L 14 Vocabulary & Text |
|
|
Week 11 |
L 14 Grammar Notes; Exercises |
|
|
4/3 R |
L 14 Quiz & L 15 Vocabulary |
L 14 Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
Week 12 |
L 15 Vocabulary & Text |
|
|
4/10 R |
L15 Grammar Notes; Exercises |
|
|
Week 13 |
L15 Quiz &L 16 Vocabulary |
|
|
4/17 R |
L 16 Vocabulary & Text |
|
|
Week 14 |
L 16 Grammar Notes. |
|
|
4/24 R |
Review /snow day makeup |
|
|
Week 15 |
Preparation for Final Oral Presentation |
L 16 Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
5/1 R |
Final Oral Presentation and Course Evaluation |
|
|
Tuesday, May 13 4:15p.m. |
FINAL EXAM (in our classroom) Have a nice summer! :) |
|