CHIN 033. Introduction to Classical Chinese

(Cross-listed as LING 033)
This is an introductory course on reading one of the world’s great classical languages. Classical Chinese includes both the language of China’s classical literature as well as the literary language used for writing in China for well over 2 millennia until earlier this century. Complemented with readings in English about Chinese characters and classical Chinese, this course imparts the principal structures of the classical language through an analytical presentation of the rudiments of the language and close reading of original texts. It is not a lecture course and requires active, regular participation on the part of the student, with precise translation into English an integral component. The course is conducted in English. The course is open to all interested students and has no prerequisites; no previous preparation in Chinese is required.
Humanities.
1 credit.
Eligible for ASIA, MDST
Spring 2025. Ridgway.
Spring 2026. Ridgway.
Catalog chapter: Modern Languages and Literatures: Chinese
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/chinese

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