CHINESE Course Descriptions for 2021-2022

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Fall Course Descriptions
CourseTitleInstructorDescription
CHINESE 1AFUNDAMNTLS MANDARINSTAFFInnovative approach with emphasis on the four fundamental skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Taught in Mandarin Chinese using the Pinyin system of Romanization and full form characters. Chapter tests on all 4 skills, writing assignments, daily vocabulary quiz, and final exam. Throughout the quarter, students will (1) Learn to read and write with the Pinyin System; (2) Learn about 250 Chinese characters and 400 phrases; (3) Make sentences with vocabulary and sentence patterns learned in classes; (4) Participate in short dialogues, discussions and conversations; (5) Write notes, dialogues, articles and skits. The goal of this course is to achieve basic proficiency in Mandarin Chinese in order to communicate with speakers of Chinese in daily conversation about common topics and to read short passages about simple matters from both authentic materials and pedagogically prepared materials. Culture notes and knowledge of appropriate behaviors in a Chinese-speaking society will also be introduced. Prerequisite: complete Chinese Placement assessment at http://humanities.uci.edu/placement/chinese
CHINESE 1MAFUND CHINESE/BKGRNDSTAFFThe Chinese 1MA-1MB-1MC series is designed for heritage learners with no or minimal previous experience in the written language.  Both authentic material from a wide variety of sources within the culture and pedagogically-prepared material will be used to develop students' basic literacy skills and the ability to use the language to communicate in culturally, socially and linguistically appropriate ways.  Conducted exclusively in Mandarin Chinese using the Pinyin system of Romanization and both traditional (full-form) and simplified characters. Chapter tests, writing assignments, daily vocabulary quiz, and final exam.  Prerequisite: complete Chinese Placement assessment at http://humanities.uci.edu/placement/chinese
CHINESE 2AINTERMED MANDARINSTAFFThe Chinese 2A-2B-2C series will use both authentic materials from a wide variety of sources within the culture and pedagogically-prepared materials to further develop students' listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, and the ability to use the language to communicate in culturally, socially and linguistically appropriate ways. Throughout the series advanced grammatical patterns will be gradually introduced and reviewed. By the end of the series, students are expected to: (1) develop reading comprehension from a wide selection of authentic materials; (2) handle reasonably complicated survival situations; (3) read and write paragraph length narrations and descriptions of real life events, as well as expositions and argumentations concerning real or hypothetical issues. Conducted exclusively in Mandarin Chinese using the Pinyin system of Romanization and both traditional (full-form) and simplified characters. Chapter tests, writing assignments, daily vocabulary quiz, group projects, oral report, and final exam.  Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 1C/1MC or equivalent (complete Chinese Placement assessment at http://humanities.uci.edu/placement/chinese)
CHINESE 3AADVANCED MANDARINSTAFFThe Chinese 3A-3B-3C series is a continuation of the Chinese 2 series. Emphasis is placed on advanced conversation and written expression to improve the ability to communicate in expected and unexpected situations. Readings are based on modern Chinese prose and newspapers, with focus on academic skills. Emphasis is also placed on self-expression in problem-solving tasks, defense of decisions and classroom discussions. Daily vocabulary quiz, oral reports, individual and group projects, chapter tests, writing assignment, and final examination. Prerequisite: Completion of Chinese 2C or equivalent (complete Chinese Placement assessment at http://humanities.uci.edu/placement/chinese)
CHINESE 40BUSINESS CHINESESTAFF
CHINESE 100ACLASSICAL CHINESESTAFFThis course introduces students to the grammar and vocabulary of Classical Chinese. Readings concentrate on philosophical and historical works from the pre-Hàn period, accompanied by selections from later verse. Students should already have some familiarity with Chinese characters (Hànzi, Kanji, Hanja), whether through Mandarin Chinese or another East Asian language.
The main goal of this course is to achieve the foundations of a technical understanding of Classical Chinese through its grammar, through its syntax, through its essential vocabulary, and through the reference works which provide deeper understanding of these elements.