George Mason University
Department
of Modern & Classical Languages
Fall
2007: CHINESE 300 – Reading Skills Development
Class
Meeting Time: TR 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Class Meeting Place: RA 249
Instructor:
Chen, Xi
Office Location: Thompson Hall 234A
Office Hours:
TR 9:30 a.m. -
10:30 a.m. or by appointment
Phone:
(703) 993-1631
E-mail:
xchen8@gmu.edu
Course website: http://mason.gmu.edu/~kzhang/
Course
Description/ Objectives
This course is designed for advanced students of
Chinese. Completion of the Elementary and Intermediate Chinese courses or
equivalent is required. With a focus on reading skills, 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.
A Trip to China: Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese - Vocabulary, Grammar
Notes, Exercises by Der-lin Chao.
Recommended Dictionary:
The
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 absences 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 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.
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
There will be six quizzes that cover Lessons 1 to 7 respectively. The quizzes
will test listening, reading, and writing skills, as well as knowledge of
grammar and cultural aspects. The written final exam at the end of the semester
will cover all eight lessons.
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 7 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 |
|
|
8/30
R |
L 1
Vocabulary, Text & Grammar Notes |
|
|
Week
2 |
|
|
|
9/6 R |
L2 Text |
L 1 Homework Due
|
|
Week
3 |
|
|
|
9/13
R |
L1&2
Quiz |
L 2
Homework Due |
|
Week
4 |
L3
Vocabulary |
|
|
9/20
R |
L3 Text |
|
|
Week
5 |
L3 Grammar Notes;
Exercises |
|
|
9/27R |
L3
quiz L4 Vocabulary |
L 3 Homework Due |
|
Week
6 |
L4Vocabulary&
Text |
|
|
10/4
R |
L4Grammar
Notes; Exercises |
|
|
Week
7 |
Columbus
Day No
Class! |
|
|
10/
11 R |
L4
quiz; L5 Vocabulary |
L 4
Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
Week
8 |
L5Vocabulary&
Text |
|
|
10/
18 R |
L5Grammar
Notes; Exercises |
|
|
Week
9 |
L5 quiz L6
Vocabulary |
L 5
Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
10/
25 R |
L6Vocabulary&
Text |
|
|
Week
10 |
L6
Grammar Notes; Exercises |
|
|
11/ 1 R |
L6
quiz |
L 6
Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
Week
11 |
L7Vocabulary&
Text |
|
|
11/ 8
R |
L7
Grammar Notes |
|
|
Week
12 |
L7 Exercises |
|
|
11/
15 R |
L7
quiz |
L 7
Homework Due (Translations, Compositions) |
|
Week
13 |
L8 Vocabulary&
Text |
|
|
11/
22 R |
Happy Thanksgiving!
No class. |
|
|
Week
14 |
L8Vocabulary,
Text & Grammar Notes |
|
|
11/
29 R |
L8
Exercises |
|
|
Week
15 |
Preparation for
Final Oral Presentation |
L 8 Homework Due
(Translations, Compositions) |
|
12/ 6
R |
Final Oral
Presentation and Course Evaluation |
|
|
Tuesday, December 11 |
FINAL
EXAM (in our classroom) |
|