Course Outline - 2006 - School of Languages & Comparative ...

THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES AND COMPARATIVE CULTURAL STUDIES
Course Outline - 2006
CHIN2340: Classical Chinese in Confucian Classics
Units value 2
Class contact hours 2
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
Students will learn the basics of classical Chinese through the Confucian classic Lun yu (The Analects).
Students will also learn the historical background and philosophy of Confucius and Confucianism which
can lead to the preparation of their honours or postgraduate research in many different areas.
STAFF:
LECTURER AND CONVENOR
Dr Chiu-yee Cheung, 411 Greenwood Bldg. Ph: 33656557 (voice mail)
E-mail: c.cheung@uq.edu.au
Consultation hours: Mon: 13:00-16:00
Research day (not available): Tuesday
CLASS HOURS & LOCATIONS:
LECTURE
Thur, 10:00-12:00, 39A-203 (General Purpose North 3)
COURSE GOALS
On completing this course students should:
-- be able to read basic classical Chinese text;
-- understand the basic classical Chinese vocabulary, expressions, and sentence patterns;
-- have a clear understanding of Confucius and Confucianism, one of the three main pillars of Chinese
thought
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES DEVELOPED
In-Depth Knowledge of the Field Of Study
This subject is an introduction to Confucius and his major work The Analects. The subject covers indepth
knowledge about Confucius’s life, his time, the major ideas of the The Analects, and their influence
in Asia. Through The Analects, students learn about classical Chinese language.

Effective Communication
Students will learn typical vocabulary and sentence patterns in classical Chinese. The subject highlights
the influence of classical Chinese on modern written and spoken Chinese and will enable students to
communicate more effectively on a higher level.
Independence and Creativity
Students will be given opportunities in their assignment to apply Confucian principles to certain
contemporary scenario.
Critical Judgment
Students will discuss the relevance of Confucianism to the contemporary world and issues about the
“creative transformation” of Confucianism in the class and in their assignments.
Ethical and Social Understanding
Confucianism is one of the major roots of Chinese civilisation. Through it, students will learn about the
Chinese mind, values, culture, and society, and their differences to the West. Through comparison of
classical and modern Chinese, students will also learn the cultural and social changes in China.
ASSUMED BACKGROUND
This subject is designed for native and background speakers of Chinese, and students who have finished
second year written Chinese or above.
TEACHING AND LEARNING MODES
There are 2 lecture hours per week. In class the lecturer will introduce the life and works of Confucius,
the basic ideas and a brief history of Confucianism, common vacabulary, expressions, and grammar
structures of classical Chinese. There will be discussions in class. Students will develop their own
opinion about Confucianism in small groups and present their idea in class. Students are encouraged to
use internet recourses for their assignments.
ESSENTIAL TEXTS AND REFERENCES:
There is no textbook. Some handouts will be supplied by the lecturer. You should download a copy of
Lun yu in traditional characters and a copy of English translation of Lun yu from the Web. The best
WWW sites of relevant internet resources are listed on my web page:
http://ww.uq.edu.au/~jaccheun/Zhongguo.html
Copies of recommended English translations of Lun yu are also available in high use area in SS&H
library.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND REQUIRED
Library and IT facilities are available in the SS&H library and the ALC (Joyce Ackroyd Bldg, Bldg 37).
Specific help with library materials is available from the Asian studies librarian, Ms Wai Wai Lui, in
SS&H library. Just ask at the Information Desk.
ASSESSMENT PROGRAM, OUTCOMES & GRADING
You will be assessed on
Your knowledge of the life and historical background of Confucius and Confucianism;
Your knowledge of the bacis ideas of Confucianism;
Your knowledge of some very famous quotations of Confucius;
Your ability to read classical Chinese;
Your ability to analyse the sentence structure of classical Chinese;
Your ability to know the simplified version of some common traditional characters
TYPE OF ASSESSMENT:
2 short tests: The first test will focus on classical Chinese grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
The second test will be about Confucianism.
Class participation: it includes attendance and your notes. You will need an exercise book of 90+ pages
for taking notes in the class and/or reading relevant literature. It will be read by the lecturer from time to
time during the semester.
ASSESSMENT:
2 test: 50% Final examination 40% Class Participation: 10%
GRADE DESCRIPTORS
7 The student demonstrates a clear understanding of the vocabulary, terminology, and sentence structure of
Lun yu. The student remembers some of the most famous lines of Lun yu and is able to give a generally accepted
interpretation in English. The student has a comprehensive knowledge of the major arguments and issues about Lun
yu and its author. The student understands the meanings of the common traditional characters in the text and able to
convert them into simplified characters.
6 The student understands most of the vocabulary, terminology, and sentence structure of Lun yu. The
student remembers some of the most famous lines of Lun yu and is able to give a generally accepted interpretation in
English with minor mistakes. The student has a good knowledge of the major arguments and issues about Lun yu and
its author. The student understands the meanings of the common traditional characters in the text and able to convert
most of them into simplified characters.
5 The student understands the major vocabulary, terminology, and sentence structure of Lun yu. The student
remembers some of the most famous lines of Lun yu and is able to give an interpretation in English with some minor
mistakes. The student has an acceptable knowledge of the major arguments and issues about Lun yu and its author.
The student understands the meanings of most of the common traditional characters in the text and able to convert
most of them into simplified characters.
4 The student understands some of vocabulary, terminology, and sentence structure of Lun yu. The student
remembers some famous lines of Lun yu and is able to give an interpretation in English with some major mistakes.
The student knows a few major arguments and issues about Lun yu and its author. The student understands the
meanings of some of the common traditional characters in the text and able to convert some of them into simplified
characters.

3 The student shows a limited knowledge about Lun yu and the text. The student only remembers a few lines
of the text and gives English with many mistakes. The student understands only a few of the common traditional
characters in the text.
2 The student does not complete all assessment requirements and is absent from classes for a long period of
time and shows virtually no knowledge about Lun yu and the text.
1 The student does not complete any assessment requirements and is absent from classes.
NOTE: The University of Queensland adopted the “criterion based” assessment principles. That means
that the grade that you obtain is based on your performance in the above assessment instruments. The 7-
point scale will roughly apply to the following pattern:
7 90-100%
6 80-89%
5 65-79%
4 50-64%
3 40-49%
ASSESSMENT POLICIES
• Plagiarism: University rules regarding plagiarism must be observed. If you are unsure about these rules,
please look them up (see
http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/contents/view.asp?s1=3&s2=40&s3=12) or ask. The onus is on you to
observe them
• Please take note of the date, time and place of your exam. If you are sick on the day of an exam, contact
the lecturer or leave a message the very same day. Makeup exams will not be given to students without a
medical certificate signed by a medical practitioner
ASSESSMENT AND DISABILITY
Assessment variation is possible for students with a disability (see
http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/contents/view.asp?s1=3&s2=30&s3=3)
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY
Any student with a disability who may require alternative academic arrangements in the course/program is encouraged to seek
advice at the commencement of the semester from a Disability Adviser at Student Support Services.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
The Teaching and Learning Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Head of School and School Executive
Committee for the development and maintenance of strategies for excellence in all aspects of teaching and learning in the School.
The committee consists of academic and general staff representatives as well as undergraduate and postgraduate student
representation. There are 4 elected student representatives on TLC: one from first year students, one from advanced undergraduate
students, 1 from Honours students and 1 from coursework postgraduate students. Students interested in serving on this committee
should consult the chair of TLC Dr Guy Ramsay, or the committee secretary Ms Carmen McNaught.
USE OF DICTIONARIES IN EXAMINATIONS
Dictionaries are NOT allowed in the examinations.
COPURSE SCHEDULE

Week Dates Content
1 2/3 Introduction: Confucius and his time
2 9/3 Introduction: Confucianism
3 16/3 Confucius on Himself
4 23/3 On the Way and Mandate of Heaven
5 30/3 Rites, Rituals, and Politics
6 6/4 Test 1
7 13/4 On Benevolence 1
20/4 Term break
8 27/4 On Benevolence 2; Test 1 feedback
9 4/5 Labour Day.
10 11/5 On filial piety and sincerity
11 18/5 Test 2
12 25/5 On junzi
13 1/6 The Confucian Legacy and Its Future; Test 2 feedback
FINAL EXAMINATION DURING EXAMINATION PERIOD