ASIA 351 - Special Topics in Chinese and Japanese Literature and Culture

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

(Same as CHJA 351) Topics vary each year. Can be repeated for credit when a new topic is offered.

Topic for 2019/20b: Chinese Linguistics. This course offers a systematic and comprehensive introduction to the history and nature of the Chinese language in terms of its phonology, morphology and syntax in comparison with English. It also highlights the construction and evolution of Chinese characters and explores social dimensions of the language such as language planning and standardization, relations of Mandarin with the dialects, and interactions between Chinese and other languages. Topics also include unique linguistic devices in the Chinese rhetoric and figure of speech. Classes are conducted and readings are done in English or bilingually. Students with background in Chinese can choose to do projects in Chinese at their appropriate levels. Wenwei Du.

Prerequisite(s): Two courses in a combination of language, linguistics, literature, culture, or Asian Studies, or permission of the instructor.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS