In 2017, the world witnessed a profound aspiration for national reconciliation and the possible future reunification of the Korean peninsula. Indeed, this aspiration for reunion expresses a vigorous and deep historical belief in the shared ethnic and cultural heritage of the entire peninsula that imagines North and South Korea as tragically and temporarily separated entities bound to be reunited. At the same time, the contemporary everyday meaning of the word “Korea” (hankuk) is often limited to only their nation for many young South Koreans. How do we understand this seeming contradiction? With this question in mind, this course provides students with a set of critical frames for exploring Korean history and culture while simultaneously questioning presumptions of a nation or civilization with an unchanging or seemingly “natural” essence. This course focuses on the modern cultural history of the Korean peninsula by investigating the discursive constructions of national subjectivity carried out by disparate groups and social institutions since the Chosŏn Dynasty’s inclusion in the modern nation-state world system and the political realities resulting from those discursive constructions. The term culture in the course title is defined in a broad sense as it encompasses not only works of art but also systems of thought and social practices developed throughout the history of modern Korea.
Learning objectives
This course is designed to give students a set of critical techniques for exploring Korean culture through its art, literature, history, and systems of thought.
Teaching Method
Discussion with lectures
Evaluation Method
Grades will largely be determined by student comprehension of lectures and readings, discussion, and a combination of smaller and in-depth writing assignments.
Regular attendance and preparation of all readings and active participation: In-class discussion and weekly online posting of reading responses (less than 200 words)
“Modern construction of Korean culture” essay: 1000 words. Post online on Canvas.
Discussion leading: This part consists of 3 reading summaries for the assigned readings. 1) an oral presentation of the reading in class; 2) a two-page written summary to be posted one day before class on Canvas (this means that all other students need to read posts before coming to class) 3) three questions to spark class discussion.
“Korean diaspora” or “Globalization of Korean culture” essay: 1000 words. Post online on Canvas.
Final research project: 2500-3000 words, excluding bibliography. Students are encouraged to give a short and concise presentation on their project at the end of the semester.
Class Materials
All assigned readings are accessible through Canvas.
Overview of course Everyone eats, but not everyone eats the same way. What we eat, and when, and how, and with whom - all of these choices have the potential to define us. In this course, we will explore the meanings and practices surrounding food in South Asia and its diaspora. Whether in conflicts over forbidden foods, in crises of famine, in exoticist evocations of "the land of spices," or in nostalgic yearnings for the lost flavors of home, food has profound power over the imagination and the body. We will examine literature, films, cookbooks, and other materials - some of which we will eat! - to understand the roles that food plays in ritual, politics, art, and everyday life.
Learning Objectives At the end of this course, students will be able to: - analyze historical, social, and cultural aspects of food in South Asia and its diaspora; - make cogent and persuasive arguments, orally and in writing, incorporating careful analysis of primary and secondary materials; - critically evaluate scholarly work relating to South Asian history and culture; - work with classmates to produce knowledge collaboratively.
Teaching Method Seminar
Evaluation Method Papers and presentations
Class Materials (required) All course materials will be provided on Canvas or in class.
This course explores some of the most influential texts of the major East Asian religious and philosophical traditions including Confucianism, Daoism, Chan/Zen Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism still prominent in China, Japan, Tibet, and several other Asian societies today. The goal is to understand their significance in East Asian cultures, as well as consider what we can learn from these texts today. This course will probe the following questions: What are the major themes, dilemmas, and issues these texts address? How can humans achieve contentment in the world? What are the moral values these texts instill? Beyond this historical focus, this course will also reflect on ways that these literary and religious texts have been appropriated and adapted in the modern context. Each period dedicated to a specific text will be preceded by an introduction to the tradition it represents offering an historical background together with biographical and/or content outlines. Format The course format will include a combination of lecture and discussion. Students will be encouraged to exercise critical thinking and to participate in class discussions. Students will analyze primary source material in translation, critically evaluate content and concepts, and will be encouraged to synthetize the information and communicate it effectively and thoroughly.
Teaching Method
Lecture and Discussion
Evaluation Method
Mid-term and final term paper, in-class presentation
Class Materials (required)
Confucius / Annping Chin (transl). The Analects. Penguin Classics (2014) - ISBN 978-0143106852
Lao Tzu / D.C. Lau (transl). Tao Te Ching. Penguin Classics; Reprint edition (1964) - ISBN 978-0140441314
Tsangnyon Heruka / A. Quintman (transl). The Life of Milarepa. Penguin Classics; 1 edition (2010) - ISBN 978-0143106227
Wu Ch'êng-ên (Author), Arthur Waley (Translator), Monkey: Folk Novel of China, Evergreen Books by Grove Weidenfeld; Reissue edition 1994, 978-0802130860
"How have urban Chinese challenged the authoritarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party in the twenty-first century? What are the activist causes around which urban Chinese have rallied despite the risk of state repression? Given that activists risk persecution, prison, and torture, who would do this? How do activists maintain the emotional resilience to stand up to authoritarian rule? What are activists' tactics and strategies? To answer these questions, we will study reporters, labor organizers, environmental activists, religious activists, lawyers, and feminist activists. Many activists oppose the authoritarian state in the name of freedom. I have found that many urban Chinese are happy, or at least content, in their lives today. The insight that hundreds of millions of people can be happy or content even though they are lacking freedom is so astonishing to me, I have begun to question my own understanding of freedom. Is freedom a specifically Western concept? Should the notion of freedom have universal relevance? Should we demand of the Chinese people that they democratize? Or is this demand Orientalist? Or racist? Is the demand that Chinese democratize another way of saying, "They must become like us"? The Chinese Communist Party is a threat to United States democracy. Thinking about China and acting toward China, how are we to combine the defense of our democracy and the injunction to stay clear of Orientalism? Who is a greater threat to our democracy, the Chinese Communist Party or the Republican Party? It turns out that we, unfortunately, cannot study Chinese activists without finding a framework to evaluate Chinese authoritarian rule in political and ethical terms. Evaluating Chinese authoritarian rule involves thinking about ourselves. Are some Americans benefitting from authoritarian rule in China? Is the Chinese Communist Party profitable for some Americans? Would the United States economy collapse without Chinese poverty? Who are we in moral, political, and ethical terms to claim the high ground and criticize the Chinese Communist Party? It is possible to argue that Western modernity is flawed beyond rescue. From this perspective, are we in a desperate search for an alternative modernity? Can China be our inspiration for an alternative modernity? Or, would you agree with those Hong Kong activists who have coined the term Chinazi to indicate that, in their view, China increasingly resembles Hitler's Germany?"
Registration requirements
No prerequisites. All materials are in English.
Teaching Method
Discussion
Evaluation Method
You will read about sixty pages per class meeting, or circa one hundred twenty pages per week. To participate actively in class discussion, you must prepare the assigned readings outside of class for six hours per week. This includes taking good reading notes and bringing your reading notes to class.
Class Discussion 50% Take-home Exam 15% Final Paper 35%
Class Materials (required)
We will discuss select chapters from the following books. All of these required books are available to you as e-books through the Library's website.
Sebastian Veg. Minjian. The Rise of China's Grassroots Intellectuals. New York: Columbia 2019. 978-0-231-19140-1
Ching Kwan Lee. Against the Law. Labor Protests in China's Rustbelt and Sunbelt. Berkeley: California 2007.978-0-520-25097-0
David Ownby. Falun Gong and the Future of China. New York: Oxford 2008. 978-0-19-973853-3
Joshua Goldstein. Remains of the Everyday. A Century of Recycling in Beijing. Oakland: California 2021.
Rongbin Han. Contesting Cyberspace in China. Online Expression and Authoritarian Resilience. New York: Columbia 2018.
Leta Hong Fincher. Betraying Big Brother: The Feminist Awakening in China. New York: Verso 2018. 978-1-78663-364-4
Margaret Hillenbrand. Negative Exposure: Knowing What Not to Know in Contemporary China. Durham: Duke 2020. 978-1-4780-0800-2
Overview of Course In this course students will read writings from Buddhist canonical and non-canonical literature on a variety of subjects to gain an introduction to the variety of literary genres used in Buddhist works, as well as to consider the central tenets of the Buddhist literary tradition these works convey. Who was the Buddha? What did he preach? Why do we suffer and how do we realize enlightenment? How should one follow the Buddhist path? What metaphors and parables have Buddhists used to convey these insights over the centuries? Students will be able to explore these and other questions through a selection of English translations of original texts in Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese, and Tibetan including the life of the Buddha, his sayings, Buddhist sutras, and Buddhist autobiographies. As this course is an introduction to Buddhist literature, there are no prerequisites, and students will gain familiarity with Buddhist teachings through engaging directly with primary sources in translation.
Teaching Method This course will consist of lectures and class discussion
Evaluation Method Students will be evaluated through a mid-term and a final-term paper, as well as class participation and an in-class presentation.
Class Material (required) The Life of the Buddha (Penguin Classics 2015 - by Tenzin Chogyel and Kurtis R. Schaeffer. 978-0143107200
The Dhammapada (Penguin Classics) Paperback – 2010 by Valerie Roebuck (Editor, Translator, Introduction) ISBN 978-0140449419
The Platform Sutra: The Zen Teaching of Hui-neng, by Red Pine, Counterpoint 2008, ISBN 978-1593761776
Himalayan Hermitess: The Life of a Tibetan Buddhist Nun 1st Edition, by Kurtis R. Schaeffer, Oxford University Press, 2004 – ISBN 978-0195152999
How do we critically engage "media in (East) Asia" in the age of global media production, circulation, and consumption? This course features a combination of critical theory and geopolitical history with an emphasis on asking how we understand various media forms, technologies, and texts that are from East Asia. Students will read different and sometimes competing sets of critical approaches and methods that theorize media forms and cultures in East Asia. We will especially problematize the qualifying phrase "in Asia" or the binary opposition between "culture" and (media) technology. While learning the key theoretical tools to understand media in Asia, students will also learn to question the assumed universality of the concept "media" while dealing with the geopolitical differences of the non-West, in this case East Asia. For instance, students will be learning and asking what we can gain or miss from analytical approaches that focus on the national characteristics (e.g. "Koreanness) or "East Asianness" of modern technologies such as K-pop machinery, Japanese anime, or the Chinese typewriter. Therefore, this course not only will provide students with an introduction to media technologies and cultures in East Asia, but also teach ways to rethink the Eurocentric theorization of media and modernity as well as the conceptualization of East Asian culture as fixed, static, homogenous, and "particular." Each week students will be reading or watching a media text paired with readings on relevant theoretical or historical problems.
Learning objectives
Students will read different and sometimes competing sets of critical approaches and methods that theorize media forms and cultures in East Asia. In particular, we will problematize the qualifying phrase “in Asia” and the binary opposition between “culture” and (media) technology. While learning the key theoretical tools to understand media in Asia, students will also learn to question the assumed universality of the concept “media” while dealing with the geopolitical differences and particularities of the non-West, which for our course refers principally to East Asia. Therefore, this course will not only provide students with an introduction to media technologies and cultures in East Asia, but it will also teach ways to rethink the Eurocentric theorization of media and modernity. Furthermore, we will trouble the conceptualization of East Asian culture as fixed, static, homogenous, and “particular.” Each week students will be reading or watching a media text paired with readings on relevant theoretical or historical problems.
Teaching Method
Discussion with lectures
Evaluation Method
Grades will largely be determined by student comprehension of lectures and readings, discussion, and a combination of smaller and in-depth writing assignments.
Regular attendance and preparation of all readings and active participation: In-class discussion and weekly online posting of reading responses (less than 200 words)
“What is Media” essay: 1000 words. Post online on Canvas.
Discussion leading: This part consists of 3 reading summaries for the assigned readings. 1) an oral presentation of the reading in class; 2) a two-page written summary to be posted one day before class on Canvas (this means that all other students need to read posts before coming to class) 3) three questions to spark class discussion.
Final research project: 2500-3000 words, excluding bibliography. Students are encouraged to give a short, compact presentation on their project at the end of the semester.
Class Materials
All assigned readings are accessible through Canvas.
ASIAN LC 492* Readings in Tibetan Texts: Religious and literary texts
Overview of Course
This class over three quarters is designed to assist students who already have the equivalent of at least two-years of Tibetan language study. The course is intended to build on this foundation so that students gain greater proficiency in reading a variety of classical Tibetan writing styles and genres, including (especially in the third quarter) texts relevant to their research.
We will explore various genres: canonical and other religious texts, religious songs (mgur), poetry (snyan ngag), biographies (rnam thar), avadanas (rtogs brjod), and histories. We will also look at administrative documents (gzhung yig), other manuscripts and scrolls to become familiar with the most common forms of Tibetan calligraphy. Students will gain facility in the use of Tibetan dictionaries essential for reading classical texts, in particular for understanding kāvya-derived ornamental vocabulary and rhetorical devices.
Learning Objectives
Students will learn to identify commonly found vocabulary, grammatical constructions and other conventions appearing in Classical Tibetan texts, including religious, literary, and historical genres. In the third quarter, students will be introduced to texts in dbu-med scripts and the abbreviated words (skung yig) often employed in these. They will learn how to identify texts helpful for their research and begin reading those texts.
Teaching Method Online only
Evaluation Method:
Percentage of Final Grade
Class participation & Homework 30%
3 Short quizzes 15%
Mid-Term 25%
Final Examination 30%
Class materials (required)
Bentor, Yael. A Classical Tibetan Reader: Selections from renowned works with custom glossaries. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-61419-079-7 Purchase recommended.
Skal bzang ʾgyur med. Bod kyi brda sprod rig paʾi khrid rgyun rab gsal me long. Chengdu: Si-khron mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 1981. [Clear Mirror] Selections will be distributed if book is not readily available to students.
Blo bzang chos grags dang Bsod-nams-rtse-mo. Gangs-ljongs mkhas dbang rim byon gyi rtsom yig gser gyi sbram bu. Zi-ling: Mtsho-sngon mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 2008. 3 vols. Selections will be distributed if book is not readily available to students.
Class materials (suggested)
Preston, Craig. How to Read Classical Tibetan. 2 vols. Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications, 2003.
Wilson, Joe B. Translating Buddhism from Tibetan. Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications, 1992.
Hackett, Paul. A Tibetan verb lexicon: verbs, classes, and syntactic frames.Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 2003. (This book will be used in the second semester.)
Hill, Nathan. A lexicon of Tibetan verb stems as reported by the gramatical tradition. München : Kommission für Zentral- und Ostasiatische Studien, Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften, 2010.
Schwieger, Peter. Handbuch zur Grammatik der klassischen tibetischen Schriftsprache . Halle: International Institute for Tibetan and Buddhist Studies GmbH, 2009.
Jo-bo rje dpal ldan A-ti-sha’i rnam thar Bka’ gdams pha chosLinks to an external site. Zi-ling: Mtsho sngon mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 1994. Starr Library Course Reserves: BQ7670.9.A2 B43 1994
Sarat Chandra Das. A Tibetan-English Dictionary, with Sanskrit Synonyms. Calcutta: Bengal Secretariat Book Depot. 1902.
Overview of class This three-quarter sequence of beginning college level Chinese is designed for true beginners with no previous background in the language. This course is an introduction to Chinese, its basic grammar, pinyin system, vocabulary, usage, and the Chinese writing system. It also focuses on developing basic communicative skills and knowledge of the Chinese culture. There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. Our goal is to lay the solid ground work for your study of Chinese whether you plan to have a concentration in Chinese or to satisfy a language requirement. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to reach Novice-High level of the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. (http://actflproficiencyguidelines2012.org)
Registration Requirements Except for Chinese 111-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Have a good command of the pronunciation system of Mandarin Chinese.
Have a good command of Chinese characters in both handwriting and typing.
Use Mandarin Chinese to carry out conversations on daily-life topics (e.g., food preference, hobbies and activities, shopping, visiting a doctor, Chinese culture and relationships.
Write short passages on the topics above.
Gain and demonstrate cultural knowledge discussed in the units.
Teaching Method There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. English will be used mainly for instruction on sentence structures and patterns. Interaction between instructor and among students will be in Chinese.
Evaluation Method Attendance and participation Written assignments Dictations Oral quizzes Written quizzes Final exam
Class Materials (Required) Fall quarter and Winter quarter Textbook and Workbook: Modern Chinese 1A Simplified Characters (second edition) Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-573-3 (textbook); 978-1-60603-572-6 (workbook) Price:$59.95(textbook) $ 29.95(workbook)
Spring quarter Textbook and Workbook: Modern Chinese 1B Simplified Characters (second edition) Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook) 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price:$59.95(textbook) $ 29.95(workbook)
Overview of class This three-quarter sequence of beginning college level Chinese is designed for true beginners with no previous background in the language. This course is an introduction to Chinese, its basic grammar, pinyin system, vocabulary, usage, and the Chinese writing system. It also focuses on developing basic communicative skills and knowledge of the Chinese culture. There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. Our goal is to lay the solid ground work for your study of Chinese whether you plan to have a concentration in Chinese or to satisfy a language requirement. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to reach Novice-High level of the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. (http://actflproficiencyguidelines2012.org)
Registration Requirements Except for Chinese 111-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Have a good command of the pronunciation system of Mandarin Chinese.
Have a good command of Chinese characters in both handwriting and typing.
Use Mandarin Chinese to carry out conversations on daily-life topics (e.g., food preference, hobbies and activities, shopping, visiting a doctor, Chinese culture and relationships.
Write short passages on the topics above.
Gain and demonstrate cultural knowledge discussed in the units.
Teaching Method There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. English will be used mainly for instruction on sentence structures and patterns. Interaction between instructor and among students will be in Chinese.
Evaluation Method Attendance and participation Written assignments Dictations Oral quizzes Written quizzes Final exam
Class Materials (Required) Fall quarter and Winter quarter Textbook and Workbook: Modern Chinese 1A Simplified Characters (second edition) Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-573-3 (textbook); 978-1-60603-572-6 (workbook) Price:$59.95(textbook) $ 29.95(workbook)
Spring quarter Textbook and Workbook: Modern Chinese 1B Simplified Characters (second edition) Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook) 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price:$59.95(textbook) $ 29.95(workbook)
Overview of class This three-quarter sequence of beginning college level Chinese is designed for true beginners with no previous background in the language. This course is an introduction to Chinese, its basic grammar, pinyin system, vocabulary, usage, and the Chinese writing system. It also focuses on developing basic communicative skills and knowledge of the Chinese culture. There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. Our goal is to lay the solid ground work for your study of Chinese whether you plan to have a concentration in Chinese or to satisfy a language requirement. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to reach Novice-High level of the ACTFL proficiency guidelines. (http://actflproficiencyguidelines2012.org)
Registration Requirements Except for Chinese 111-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Have a good command of the pronunciation system of Mandarin Chinese.
Have a good command of Chinese characters in both handwriting and typing.
Use Mandarin Chinese to carry out conversations on daily-life topics (e.g., food preference, hobbies and activities, shopping, visiting a doctor, Chinese culture and relationships.
Write short passages on the topics above.
Gain and demonstrate cultural knowledge discussed in the units.
Teaching Method There will be extensive student-oriented practice in pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension, and sentence structures in class. English will be used mainly for instruction on sentence structures and patterns. Interaction between instructor and among students will be in Chinese.
Evaluation Method Attendance and participation Written assignments Dictations Oral quizzes Written quizzes Final exam
Class Materials (Required) Fall quarter and Winter quarter Textbook and Workbook: Modern Chinese 1A Simplified Characters (second edition) Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-573-3 (textbook); 978-1-60603-572-6 (workbook) Price:$59.95(textbook) $ 29.95(workbook)
Spring quarter Textbook and Workbook: Modern Chinese 1B Simplified Characters (second edition) Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook) 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price:$59.95(textbook) $ 29.95(workbook)
Overview of class Accelerated Chinese 115 (115-1, 2, 3) is designed for advanced beginners who demonstrate higher levels of listening and speaking proficiency. This course aims to help students further hone all four skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The literacy goal is to master around 350 characters and to reach the intermediate-low to intermediate-mid level of literacy proficiency.
Learning Objectives:
Carry out daily conversations with Chinese native speakers using appropriate wordings and manners for various contexts
Read and comprehend short notes and simple stories written in Chinese
Write short, simple communications, compositions, and requests for information in Chinese about personal topics
Master the Chinese phonetic symbols (pinyin) for typing in Chinese
Registration Requirements Except for Chinese 115-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method This course meets four days a week and is conducted in Chinese. Class time mainly focuses on discussion based on the reading and/or writing assignments students complete before class.
Evaluation Method Classroom attendance and participation, reading and writing assignments, presentations, dictations, written quizzes and one final exam
Class Materials (Required) Fall quarter:
Textbook Integrated Chinese (Volume I, 4th edition), Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company. ISBN: 978-1622911356 Price: $59.99
Winter quarter & Spring quarter: Textbook Integrated Chinese (Volume II, 4th edition), Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company. ISBN: 978-1622911417 Price: $63.99
Overview of class Accelerated Chinese 115 (115-1, 2, 3) is designed for advanced beginners who demonstrate higher levels of listening and speaking proficiency. This course aims to help students further hone all four skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The literacy goal is to master around 350 characters and to reach the intermediate-low to intermediate-mid level of literacy proficiency.
Learning Objectives:
Carry out daily conversations with Chinese native speakers using appropriate wordings and manners for various contexts
Read and comprehend short notes and simple stories written in Chinese
Write short, simple communications, compositions, and requests for information in Chinese about personal topics
Master the Chinese phonetic symbols (pinyin) for typing in Chinese
Registration Requirements Except for Chinese 115-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method This course meets four days a week and is conducted in Chinese. Class time mainly focuses on discussion based on the reading and/or writing assignments students complete before class.
Evaluation Method Classroom attendance and participation, reading and writing assignments, presentations, dictations, written quizzes and one final exam
Class Materials (Required) Fall quarter:
Textbook Integrated Chinese (Volume I, 4th edition), Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company. ISBN: 978-1622911356 Price: $59.99
Winter quarter & Spring quarter: Textbook Integrated Chinese (Volume II, 4th edition), Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company. ISBN: 978-1622911417 Price: $63.99
Overview of class: This year-long course is designed for students who have completed Chinese 111 at Northwestern or the equivalent elsewhere. It aims to further develop students’ Chinese proficiency through: (1) consolidating the foundation built in students’ beginning modern Chinese courses; (2) introducing them to more complex grammatical structures, varieties of language styles, and cultural information. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to be able to handle various types of more complex daily conversational situations and short passages on familiar topics. Successful completion of CHINESE 121-3 will satisfy the WCAS foreign language requirement. In addition, they will reach Intermediate mid to Intermediate high in reading, writing, listening and speaking according to ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives By the end of the course, students will be able to
Speak in full sentence-length on topics of daily life with relative ease.
Give descriptions and presentations in a short paragraph on topics covered in the course.
Comprehend written texts on the topics covered in the course.
Demonstrate knowledge of Chinese culture covered in the course.
Teaching Method This course is conducted mostly in Chinese. Class time mainly focuses on speaking and listening skill development. There will also be reading and writing activities and assignments. Students are expected to be fully prepared for each lesson.
Evaluation Components Class attendance and participation, assignments, quizzes, oral tests, presentations, midterm and final exam.
Class Materials (Required) Fall quarter 1. Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 1B (Second Edition) Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook): 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price: $59.95 (textbook); $29.95(workbook)
Modern Reader vol.1 （ebook）: $35
Winter quarter
Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 1B (Second Edition) Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook): 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price: $59.95 (textbook); $29.95(workbook)
Note to students who join Chinese 121-2 in fall through the placement test: You may purchase the textbook and workbook ebooks instead of the physical ones on the publisher's website: betterchinese.com
Modern Reader vol.1 （ebook）: $35 3. Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 2A Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-487-3(textbook); 978-1-60603-488-0 (workbook) Price: $69.95 (textbook); $34.95(workbook)
Spring quarter
Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 2A Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-487-3(textbook); 978-1-60603-488-0 (workbook) Price: $69.95 (textbook); $34.95(workbook)
Overview of class: This year-long course is designed for students who have completed Chinese 111 at Northwestern or the equivalent elsewhere. It aims to further develop students’ Chinese proficiency through: (1) consolidating the foundation built in students’ beginning modern Chinese courses; (2) introducing them to more complex grammatical structures, varieties of language styles, and cultural information. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to be able to handle various types of more complex daily conversational situations and short passages on familiar topics. Successful completion of CHINESE 121-3 will satisfy the WCAS foreign language requirement. In addition, they will reach Intermediate mid to Intermediate high in reading, writing, listening and speaking according to ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives By the end of the course, students will be able to
Speak in full sentence-length on topics of daily life with relative ease.
Give descriptions and presentations in a short paragraph on topics covered in the course.
Comprehend written texts on the topics covered in the course.
Demonstrate knowledge of Chinese culture covered in the course.
Teaching Method This course is conducted mostly in Chinese. Class time mainly focuses on speaking and listening skill development. There will also be reading and writing activities and assignments. Students are expected to be fully prepared for each lesson.
Evaluation Components Class attendance and participation, assignments, quizzes, oral tests, presentations, midterm and final exam.
Class Materials (Required) Fall quarter 1. Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 1B (Second Edition) Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook): 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price: $59.95 (textbook); $29.95(workbook)
Modern Reader vol.1 （ebook）: $35
Winter quarter
Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 1B (Second Edition) Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook): 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price: $59.95 (textbook); $29.95(workbook)
Note to students who join Chinese 121-2 in fall through the placement test: You may purchase the textbook and workbook ebooks instead of the physical ones on the publisher's website: betterchinese.com
Modern Reader vol.1 （ebook）: $35 3. Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 2A Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-487-3(textbook); 978-1-60603-488-0 (workbook) Price: $69.95 (textbook); $34.95(workbook)
Spring quarter
Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 2A Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-487-3(textbook); 978-1-60603-488-0 (workbook) Price: $69.95 (textbook); $34.95(workbook)
Overview of class: This year-long course is designed for students who have completed Chinese 111 at Northwestern or the equivalent elsewhere. It aims to further develop students’ Chinese proficiency through: (1) consolidating the foundation built in students’ beginning modern Chinese courses; (2) introducing them to more complex grammatical structures, varieties of language styles, and cultural information. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to be able to handle various types of more complex daily conversational situations and short passages on familiar topics. Successful completion of CHINESE 121-3 will satisfy the WCAS foreign language requirement. In addition, they will reach Intermediate mid to Intermediate high in reading, writing, listening and speaking according to ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives By the end of the course, students will be able to
Speak in full sentence-length on topics of daily life with relative ease.
Give descriptions and presentations in a short paragraph on topics covered in the course.
Comprehend written texts on the topics covered in the course.
Demonstrate knowledge of Chinese culture covered in the course.
Teaching Method This course is conducted mostly in Chinese. Class time mainly focuses on speaking and listening skill development. There will also be reading and writing activities and assignments. Students are expected to be fully prepared for each lesson.
Evaluation Components Class attendance and participation, assignments, quizzes, oral tests, presentations, midterm and final exam.
Class Materials (Required) Fall quarter 1. Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 1B (Second Edition) Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook): 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price: $59.95 (textbook); $29.95(workbook)
Modern Reader vol.1 （ebook）: $35
Winter quarter
Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 1B (Second Edition) Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-578-8 (textbook): 978-1-60603-579-5 (workbook) Price: $59.95 (textbook); $29.95(workbook)
Note to students who join Chinese 121-2 in fall through the placement test: You may purchase the textbook and workbook ebooks instead of the physical ones on the publisher's website: betterchinese.com
Modern Reader vol.1 （ebook）: $35 3. Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 2A Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-487-3(textbook); 978-1-60603-488-0 (workbook) Price: $69.95 (textbook); $34.95(workbook)
Spring quarter
Textbook and workbook: Modern Chinese 2A Simplified Characters Publisher: Better Chinese ISBN: 978-1-60603-487-3(textbook); 978-1-60603-488-0 (workbook) Price: $69.95 (textbook); $34.95(workbook)
Overview of class: Accelerated Chinese 125 (125-1, 2, 3) is an intermediate course primarily designed for students at ACTFL intermediate-mid level of proficiency in listening and speaking, and intermediate-low in literacy skills. This course aims to help students further hone all four skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The literacy goal is to master 1500-2000 characters and to reach an intermediate-high level of literacy proficiency.
Learning Objectives: The goals of this course are to help students: (a) achieve a basic level of reading competency; (b) express themselves clearly in written Chinese on a variety of topics using learned grammar patterns and vocabulary; (c) reinforce their speaking proficiency on a broad range of topics; (d) cultivate their intercultural competence and ability to juxtapose and communicate across different cultures.
Registration Requirements: Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method: Four regular class hours are for learning of the key vocabulary, analysis of sentence structure, familiarity with Chinese culture, awareness of different registers, and discussion of topics related to the texts and supplementary readings. Students are expected to write and report on topics that have been covered in the texts and supplementary readings.
Evaluation Method: Class performance, written assignments, oral reports, written quizzes, and a final exam.
Overview of class: Accelerated Chinese 125 (125-1, 2, 3) is an intermediate course primarily designed for students at ACTFL intermediate-mid level of proficiency in listening and speaking, and intermediate-low in literacy skills. This course aims to help students further hone all four skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The literacy goal is to master 1500-2000 characters and to reach an intermediate-high level of literacy proficiency.
Learning Objectives: The goals of this course are to help students: (a) achieve a basic level of reading competency; (b) express themselves clearly in written Chinese on a variety of topics using learned grammar patterns and vocabulary; (c) reinforce their speaking proficiency on a broad range of topics; (d) cultivate their intercultural competence and ability to juxtapose and communicate across different cultures.
Registration Requirements: Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method: Four regular class hours are for learning of the key vocabulary, analysis of sentence structure, familiarity with Chinese culture, awareness of different registers, and discussion of topics related to the texts and supplementary readings. Students are expected to write and report on topics that have been covered in the texts and supplementary readings.
Evaluation Method: Class performance, written assignments, oral reports, written quizzes, and a final exam.
Overview of class: Accelerated Chinese 125 (125-1, 2, 3) is an intermediate course primarily designed for students at ACTFL intermediate-mid level of proficiency in listening and speaking, and intermediate-low in literacy skills. This course aims to help students further hone all four skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The literacy goal is to master 1500-2000 characters and to reach an intermediate-high level of literacy proficiency.
Learning Objectives: The goals of this course are to help students: (a) achieve a basic level of reading competency; (b) express themselves clearly in written Chinese on a variety of topics using learned grammar patterns and vocabulary; (c) reinforce their speaking proficiency on a broad range of topics; (d) cultivate their intercultural competence and ability to juxtapose and communicate across different cultures.
Registration Requirements: Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method: Four regular class hours are for learning of the key vocabulary, analysis of sentence structure, familiarity with Chinese culture, awareness of different registers, and discussion of topics related to the texts and supplementary readings. Students are expected to write and report on topics that have been covered in the texts and supplementary readings.
Evaluation Method: Class performance, written assignments, oral reports, written quizzes, and a final exam.
Overview of class CHINESE 211 is a year-long intermediate-level course, designed to further develop students' communicative competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing in modern Chinese as well as to deepen understanding of Chinese culture and social issues. The course systematically expands students' vocabulary and help them produce paragraphs, particularly in the area of description, comparison and introduction. The goal of the course is to effectively build descriptive and comparative skills through rigorous activities and discussion on various topics. Chinese is the language used in this course. Upon satisfactory completion of the whole sequence course, students are expected to reach Intermediate-High level of the ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to
Describe exterior features of objects, and discuss spatial layouts in a clear and structured manner.
Use specific and vivid expressions to describe impressions pertaining to a person’s appearance, manner and style.
Describe in detail weather conditions and natural disasters, personal feelings specifically and vividly.
Introduce and compare climate features and prepare reports of weather in paragraph(s).
Discuss some social and cultural topics in the given contexts.
Teaching Method Bottom-up approach to expand progressively from words to sentences, and sentences to paragraphs with student-centered communicative and task-based activities. Class conducted in Chinese.
Evaluation Method Class attendance and participation, homework/projects, quizzes, oral presentations, and written exams.
Class Materials (Required)
Developing Chinese Fluency Textbook ($64) and Workbook ($43); Author: Phyllis Zhang; Publisher: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-111-34223-4
Overview of class CHINESE 211 is a year-long intermediate-level course, designed to further develop students' communicative competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing in modern Chinese as well as to deepen understanding of Chinese culture and social issues. The course systematically expands students' vocabulary and help them produce paragraphs, particularly in the area of description, comparison and introduction. The goal of the course is to effectively build descriptive and comparative skills through rigorous activities and discussion on various topics. Chinese is the language used in this course. Upon satisfactory completion of the whole sequence course, students are expected to reach Intermediate-High level of the ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to
Describe exterior features of objects, and discuss spatial layouts in a clear and structured manner.
Use specific and vivid expressions to describe impressions pertaining to a person’s appearance, manner and style.
Describe in detail weather conditions and natural disasters, personal feelings specifically and vividly.
Introduce and compare climate features and prepare reports of weather in paragraph(s).
Discuss some social and cultural topics in the given contexts.
Teaching Method Bottom-up approach to expand progressively from words to sentences, and sentences to paragraphs with student-centered communicative and task-based activities. Class conducted in Chinese.
Evaluation Method Class attendance and participation, homework/projects, quizzes, oral presentations, and written exams.
Class Materials (Required)
Developing Chinese Fluency Textbook ($64) and Workbook ($43); Author: Phyllis Zhang; Publisher: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-111-34223-4
Overview of class This is a year-long three-quarter course in advanced modern Chinese (Mandarin). Students will transition from basic, functional communicative skills to more in-depth academic exchanges with themes about the real Chinese world. Besides rigorous training in oral proficiency, it focuses on upgrading reading and writing skills. Topics include Chinese cultural concepts, social change, economic development, and human relationships. Students will discuss the above-mentioned topics from a cross-cultural perspective. Proficiency goals (per ACTFL guidelines): Advanced-Low in oral skills and Intermediate-High to Advanced-Low in literacy skills
Learning Objectives:
(1) Increase students’ awareness and knowledge of social issues in Modern China.
(2) Expand vocabulary, improve fluency, and enhance the accuracy in output.
(3) Students will learn to, in written and spoken Chinese, organize ideas better, produce coherent paragraph-leve outputs, make solid arguments, and express themselves formally.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method We use Chinese to discuss our readings. Students are also expected to write short essays based on the topics discussed in class.
Evaluation Method Attendance and Participation, essays, oral presentations, quizzes or exams
Class Materials (Required)
Textbook “ Reading Into a New China” by Duanduan Li & Irene Liu, Publisher: Cheng & Tsui Company, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-88727-627-9 Price: $49.99
Overview of class Chinese 311 is a quarter-long series of Chinese courses composed by the following independent courses: Chinese 311-1: Formal Speaking, Chinese 311-2: Formal Writing, and Chinese 311-3: Formal Reading. The courses are designed to develop students’ abilities to speak and write formal Chinese respectively, as well as to read short literary works in Chinese. The content of the courses cover argumentations and articles on various topics, including Chinese culture, society and contemporary history. Student will also read authentic Chinese literary works in different written forms and language styles by various authors, with a focus on their cultural and social background. The goal of the courses is to train students to use written vocabulary and formal expressions as well as know how to arrange a structured speaking/writing with complete format and logical connections. Students will reach advanced low in reading, writing, listening and speaking based on ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Learning Objectives: Upon satisfactory completion of 311-1, students will be able to use formal expressions to deliver a structured speech with logical arguments. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-2, students will be able to write essays in a formal style in depth about complex topics. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-3, students will be able to comprehend in depth authentic literary works in Chinese language and communicate efficiently their understanding in speaking and written forms.
Registration Requirements CHINESE 211-3 with grade C- or above. Students may be placed into this course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method Class meets twice per week, 80 minutes per class. The course is designed with intensive student-oriented activities through reading various class materials, including essays, media reports and authentic Chinese literature works. Students are expected to read materials ahead of class, participate in in-class discussions led by the instructor, and make formal statements, arguments, speeches and debates about social and cultural phenomena in paragraphs. With instructor’s necessary corrections and suggestions on students’ papers, they are expected to present their works as formal oral presentations. Chinese is used for instruction.
Overview of class Chinese 311 is a quarter-long series of Chinese courses composed by the following independent courses: Chinese 311-1: Formal Speaking, Chinese 311-2: Formal Writing, and Chinese 311-3: Formal Reading. The courses are designed to develop students’ abilities to speak and write formal Chinese respectively, as well as to read short literary works in Chinese. The content of the courses cover argumentations and articles on various topics, including Chinese culture, society and contemporary history. Student will also read authentic Chinese literary works in different written forms and language styles by various authors, with a focus on their cultural and social background. The goal of the courses is to train students to use written vocabulary and formal expressions as well as know how to arrange a structured speaking/writing with complete format and logical connections. Students will reach advanced low in reading, writing, listening and speaking based on ACTFL proficiency guidelines.
Learning Objectives: Upon satisfactory completion of 311-1, students will be able to use formal expressions to deliver a structured speech with logical arguments. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-2, students will be able to write essays in a formal style in depth about complex topics. Upon satisfactory completion of 311-3, students will be able to comprehend in depth authentic literary works in Chinese language and communicate efficiently their understanding in speaking and written forms.
Registration Requirements CHINESE 211-3 with grade C- or above. Students may be placed into this course by the departmental placement test.
Teaching Method Class meets twice per week, 80 minutes per class. The course is designed with intensive student-oriented activities through reading various class materials, including essays, media reports and authentic Chinese literature works. Students are expected to read materials ahead of class, participate in in-class discussions led by the instructor, and make formal statements, arguments, speeches and debates about social and cultural phenomena in paragraphs. With instructor’s necessary corrections and suggestions on students’ papers, they are expected to present their works as formal oral presentations. Chinese is used for instruction.
Overview of the class This course is a year long, three quarter sequence, and is meant for students with no Hindi-Urdu background. At the beginning of the three quarter sequence, the students are not expected to be able to speak, understand, read or write any Hindi-Urdu. In the first quarter (Hindi-Urdu 111-1) the students are introduced to the Hindi (Devanagari) script and to aspects of Hindi-Urdu grammar. By the end of this quarter the students are be able to talk about their family, their routines, their likes and dislikes, and also describe actions in progress. In the second quarter (Hindi-Urdu 111-2), the students continue to learn new grammatical constructions. By the end of the second quarter the students are able to talk about events in the past and the future. In the third quarter (Hindi-Urdu 111-3) students learn to express possibilities, wants, abilities and capabilities. They also learn finer aspects of grammar. The third quarter culminates in a cooking project, which requires the students to use the cumulative language skills that they would have honed over the period of the academic year. By the end of this quarter students achieve intermediate-low language skills in Hindi-Urdu.
Registration Requirements None for Hindi-Urdu 111-1, Hindi-Urdu 111-1 with a C- or better for Hindi-Urdu 111-2, Hindi-Urdu 111-2 with a C- or better for Hindi-Urdu 111-3, and by placement test or with instructor consent.
Teaching Method Textbook, word-games, YouTube videos, internet and in-class materials
Evaluation Method Assessment is based on weekly quizzes, attendance, classroom participation and presentations, home assignments, mid-terms and an oral interviews. No final exam.
Overview of the class This course is a year long, three quarter sequence, and is meant for students with no Hindi-Urdu background. At the beginning of the three quarter sequence, the students are not expected to be able to speak, understand, read or write any Hindi-Urdu. In the first quarter (Hindi-Urdu 111-1) the students are introduced to the Hindi (Devanagari) script and to aspects of Hindi-Urdu grammar. By the end of this quarter the students are be able to talk about their family, their routines, their likes and dislikes, and also describe actions in progress. In the second quarter (Hindi-Urdu 111-2), the students continue to learn new grammatical constructions. By the end of the second quarter the students are able to talk about events in the past and the future. In the third quarter (Hindi-Urdu 111-3) students learn to express possibilities, wants, abilities and capabilities. They also learn finer aspects of grammar. The third quarter culminates in a cooking project, which requires the students to use the cumulative language skills that they would have honed over the period of the academic year. By the end of this quarter students achieve intermediate-low language skills in Hindi-Urdu.
Registration Requirements None for Hindi-Urdu 111-1, Hindi-Urdu 111-1 with a C- or better for Hindi-Urdu 111-2, Hindi-Urdu 111-2 with a C- or better for Hindi-Urdu 111-3, and by placement test or with instructor consent.
Teaching Method Textbook, word-games, YouTube videos, internet and in-class materials
Evaluation Method Assessment is based on weekly quizzes, attendance, classroom participation and presentations, home assignments, mid-terms and an oral interviews. No final exam.
Overview of class This course is designed for students who speak Hindi and/or Urdu, but who cannot read and write in both scripts. Students will learn how to read and write in Devanagari (Hindi) and Nastaliq (Urdu) scripts. We will also review Hindi-Urdu grammar, focusing on areas that present difficulty for heritage speakers. At the end of the quarter, students will be evaluated for placement into higher-level Hindi-Urdu courses such as HIND_URD 121, 210, 310, 320, etc.
Registration Requirements With instructor/departmental consent.
Teaching Method Seminar
Evaluation Method Assessment is based primarily on in-class quizzes, attendance, classroom participation, and home assignments. No final exam.
Class Materials (Required) Richard Delacy, Read and Write Urdu Script: 978-1444103939 All other essential materials will be available through Canvas.
Class Materials (Suggested – these may change) S.K. Verma, Oxford English-Hindi Dictionary: 978-0195648195 Shanul Haq Haqqee, Oxford English-Urdu Dictionary: 978-0195793406 R.S. McGregor, Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary: 978-0198643395 S.M. Salimuddin and Suhail Anjum, Oxford Urdu-English Dictionary: 978-0195979947
Overview of class This is a year long, three quarter language sequence. Students start the year by working on reinforcing all the language skills attained the year before, and adding the Nastaliq (Urdu) script to their skill set. They continue developing speaking skills and listening comprehension, as well as expanding the Hindi-Urdu grammar and vocabulary. We do so by reading poems, short stories, blogs, watching and discussing movie clips, short films and videos, and making in-class presentations. Some of the topics that we touch upon during the year are short Hindi-Urdu stories, stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the tales of Akbar and Birbal, etc. By the end of the three quarter sequence students attain intermediate-mid or higher language proficiency in Hindi-Urdu.
Note: Please purchase all the required textbooks in the fall quarter, as this is the only quarter that they are ordered during the year.
Registration Requirements C- or better in Hindi-Urdu 111-3 for Hindi-Urdu 121-1, Hindi-Urdu 121-1 for Hindi-Urdu 121-2, Hindi-Urdu 121-2 for Hindi-Urdu 121-3, and by placement test or with instructor consent.
Teaching Method Textbook, extra materials, movies.
Evaluation Method The students are graded on the basis of home assignments, weekly quizzes, midterm, attendance, oral interviews and class participation. No final.
Class Materials (Recommended) Intermediate Hindi Reader (1999) by U. Jain with K. Schomer. Publisher: Institute of East Asian Studies; ISBN-10: 087725351X ISBN-13: 978-0877253518 Intermediate Hindi (1996) by Y. Kachru and R. Pandharipande Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN-10: 8120805585 ISBN-13: 978-8120805583
Overview of class Japanese I (JAPANESE 111-1, 2 and 3) is a yearlong course that covers the first half of college level elementary Japanese. In Japanese I, students will build a solid foundation while developing the four skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will also learn various aspects of Japanese culture and society through in-class activities, written assignments, and video viewing. Careful and thorough review and preparation for each class session are required.
Registration Requirements Except for JAPANESE 111-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives The goal of Japanese I is to bring students’ overall Japanese proficiency to the Intermediate-Low level defined by the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines. Upon the satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to greet, introduce themselves, describe their families and friends, discuss their daily routines and experiences, and write letters to friends.
Teaching Method This course is conducted mostly in Japanese, and class hours are spent mainly on oral proficiency development. Written assignments are given for reading and writing proficiency development.
Evaluation Method Class participation and performance; assignments; quizzes; oral and written examinations
Class Materials (Required) Oka, M. et al. (2021). TOBIRA 1: Beginning Japanese. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publishers. ISBN 978-4-87424-870-6.
Class Materials (Suggested) Endo-Hudson, M (1994). English Grammar for Students of Japanese. Ann Arbor: The Olivia and Hill Press. ISBN: 0-934034-16-8; Makino, S. & Tsutsui M. (1989). Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar. Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN 4-7890-0454-6; Kodansha (2002). Kodansha's Essential Kanji Dictionary. Tokyo: Kodansha. ISBN: 978-4-7700-2891-4 / 4-7700-2891-1.
Overview of class Japanese I (JAPANESE 111-1, 2 and 3) is a yearlong course that covers the first half of college level elementary Japanese. In Japanese I, students will build a solid foundation while developing the four skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will also learn various aspects of Japanese culture and society through in-class activities, written assignments, and video viewing. Careful and thorough review and preparation for each class session are required.
Registration Requirements Except for JAPANESE 111-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives The goal of Japanese I is to bring students’ overall Japanese proficiency to the Intermediate-Low level defined by the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines. Upon the satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to greet, introduce themselves, describe their families and friends, discuss their daily routines and experiences, and write letters to friends.
Teaching Method This course is conducted mostly in Japanese, and class hours are spent mainly on oral proficiency development. Written assignments are given for reading and writing proficiency development.
Evaluation Method Class participation and performance; assignments; quizzes; oral and written examinations
Class Materials (Required) Oka, M. et al. (2021). TOBIRA 1: Beginning Japanese. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publishers. ISBN 978-4-87424-870-6.
Class Materials (Suggested) Endo-Hudson, M (1994). English Grammar for Students of Japanese. Ann Arbor: The Olivia and Hill Press. ISBN: 0-934034-16-8; Makino, S. & Tsutsui M. (1989). Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar. Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN 4-7890-0454-6; Kodansha (2002). Kodansha's Essential Kanji Dictionary. Tokyo: Kodansha. ISBN: 978-4-7700-2891-4 / 4-7700-2891-1.
Overview of class Japanese I (JAPANESE 111-1, 2 and 3) is a yearlong course that covers the first half of college level elementary Japanese. In Japanese I, students will build a solid foundation while developing the four skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will also learn various aspects of Japanese culture and society through in-class activities, written assignments, and video viewing. Careful and thorough review and preparation for each class session are required.
Registration Requirements Except for JAPANESE 111-1, students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives The goal of Japanese I is to bring students’ overall Japanese proficiency to the Intermediate-Low level defined by the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines. Upon the satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to greet, introduce themselves, describe their families and friends, discuss their daily routines and experiences, and write letters to friends.
Teaching Method This course is conducted mostly in Japanese, and class hours are spent mainly on oral proficiency development. Written assignments are given for reading and writing proficiency development.
Evaluation Method Class participation and performance; assignments; quizzes; oral and written examinations
Class Materials (Required) Oka, M. et al. (2021). TOBIRA 1: Beginning Japanese. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publishers. ISBN 978-4-87424-870-6.
Class Materials (Suggested) Endo-Hudson, M (1994). English Grammar for Students of Japanese. Ann Arbor: The Olivia and Hill Press. ISBN: 0-934034-16-8; Makino, S. & Tsutsui M. (1989). Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar. Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN 4-7890-0454-6; Kodansha (2002). Kodansha's Essential Kanji Dictionary. Tokyo: Kodansha. ISBN: 978-4-7700-2891-4 / 4-7700-2891-1.
Overview of class Japanese II (JAPANESE 121-1, 2 and 3) is a yearlong course that covers the second half of college level elementary Japanese and prepares students for intermediate Japanese (JAPANESE 211). In this course, students continue developing the four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) through readings, video viewing, written assignments, and in-class activities. The emphasis will be on developing the skills necessary to use auxiliary verbs and complex sentences to express subtle differences in meaning and accuracy appropriate to the given contexts. Students will also practice cohesively describing their experiences and summarizing a story that they heard, read, or watched. Careful and thorough review and preparation for each class session are required. With consistent oral and written feedback from the instructor, students will also enhance their language awareness, leading to increased understanding, appreciation, and utilization of the target language, to become autonomous learners.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives The year-end proficiency goal of Japanese II is for the students to reach the Intermediate-Mid level defined by the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines. Upon the satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to handle various types of more complex daily conversational situations and passages.
Teaching Method This course is conducted mostly in Japanese. Class hours are spent mainly on oral proficiency development, and written assignments are given for reading and writing skills development. Useful expressions in daily life and social and cultural aspects in modern Japan are introduced through a series of videos.
Evaluation Method Class participation and performance, assignments, quizzes, oral and written examinations, and essays
Class Materials (Required) Hasegawa, Y. (2006) Elementary Japanese, Vol. 2. Vermont: Tuttle Language Library. ISBN 978-4805313695.Course Packet will be made available in the PDF format through Canvas.
Class Materials (Suggested) Kodansha's Essential Kanji Dictionary. Tokyo: Kodansha. ISBN 978-1568363974; Endo-Hudson, M. (1994). English Grammar for Students of Japanese. Ann Arbor: The Olivia and Hill Press. ISBN 978-0934034166; Makino, S. & Tsutsui, M. (1989). Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar. Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4789004541.
Overview of class Japanese II (JAPANESE 121-1, 2 and 3) is a yearlong course that covers the second half of college level elementary Japanese and prepares students for intermediate Japanese (JAPANESE 211). In this course, students continue developing the four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) through readings, video viewing, written assignments, and in-class activities. The emphasis will be on developing the skills necessary to use auxiliary verbs and complex sentences to express subtle differences in meaning and accuracy appropriate to the given contexts. Students will also practice cohesively describing their experiences and summarizing a story that they heard, read, or watched. Careful and thorough review and preparation for each class session are required. With consistent oral and written feedback from the instructor, students will also enhance their language awareness, leading to increased understanding, appreciation, and utilization of the target language, to become autonomous learners.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives The year-end proficiency goal of Japanese II is for the students to reach the Intermediate-Mid level defined by the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines. Upon the satisfactory completion of the course, students will be able to handle various types of more complex daily conversational situations and passages.
Teaching Method This course is conducted mostly in Japanese. Class hours are spent mainly on oral proficiency development, and written assignments are given for reading and writing skills development. Useful expressions in daily life and social and cultural aspects in modern Japan are introduced through a series of videos.
Evaluation Method Class participation and performance, assignments, quizzes, oral and written examinations, and essays
Class Materials (Required) Hasegawa, Y. (2006) Elementary Japanese, Vol. 2. Vermont: Tuttle Language Library. ISBN 978-4805313695.Course Packet will be made available in the PDF format through Canvas.
Class Materials (Suggested) Kodansha's Essential Kanji Dictionary. Tokyo: Kodansha. ISBN 978-1568363974; Endo-Hudson, M. (1994). English Grammar for Students of Japanese. Ann Arbor: The Olivia and Hill Press. ISBN 978-0934034166; Makino, S. & Tsutsui, M. (1989). Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar. Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4789004541.
Overview of class Japanese III (JAPANESE 211-1, 2, 3) is a yearlong course, sequel to Japanese II (JAPANESE 121-1, 2, 3), that covers college-level intermediate Japanese. In Japanese III, students will continue developing the four skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and learning various aspects of Japanese culture and society through reading materials, class discussions and an interview project. The casual speech and formal writing styles are introduced, and students will become familiarized with different language styles for different settings. With consistent oral and written feedback from the instructor, the students will also continue learning to identify and self-correct errors in their language use to become independent learners. This course aims to bring students proficiency towards the Intermediate-High level defined by the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines as close as possible.
Registration Requirements Students must pass the preceding course with C- or above, or must be placed into the course by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives Upon the successful completion of the year-long course, the students will be able to 1) comfortably and appropriately handle daily situations, 2) describe and narrate daily events and personal experiences in an organized manner, 3) summarize the main points of what is read, seen, or heard, 4) use casual/formal speech and written styles, 5) use approximately 500 basic kanji characters in context, and 6) communicate with native speakers on familiar topics in informal settings. The students are also expected to 7) deepen their understanding of customs, culture, and social phenomena of contemporary Japan, and 8) learn to study independently.
Teaching Method In-class discussion. Review and preparation for each class session are expected. This course is conducted in Japanese.
Evaluation Method Class participation and performance, assignments, quizzes, oral and written examinations and projects.
Class Materials (Required) JAPANESE 211-1 Yasui et al. (2019). QUARTET: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills, Vol.1 (English Edition). Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN: 978-4789016957
Yasui et al. (2019). QUARTET: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills, Vol.1, Workbook (English Edition). Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN: 978-4789016964
JAPANESE 211-2, 3 Yasui et al. (2020). QUARTET: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills, Vol.2 (English Edition). Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN:978-4789017459
Yasui et al. (2020). QUARTET: Intermediate Japanese Across the Four Language Skills, Vol.2, Workbook (English Edition). Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN: 978-4789017466
JAPANESE 313-1 Japanese IV: Japanese Newspaper Reading and News Listening
Overview of class JAPANESE 313-1 is an upper-intermediate fourth-year Japanese language course. All of the fourth-year Japanese courses have the common goal of bringing students’ overall proficiency towards the Advanced-Low defined by the proficiency guidelines of American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) as close as possible. JAPANESE 313-1 centers on the reading and analysis of news articles curated by the instructor. The focus will be on enhancing students’ news reading-comprehension abilities through systematic vocabulary building that includes collocations, idioms and kanji compounds. Students will have the opportunity to practice their newly acquired vocabulary in dialogues and discussions that develop ideas from the articles read in class. Students will also hone their listening-comprehension skills by watching and listening to news. This course does NOT provide training for writing skills development (All students taking this course are expected to have at least the intermediate-level writing skills, equivalent to the end of JAPANESE 211-3, and should be able to write an opinion paper in the plain style). The students who need writing skills development should take JAPANESE 314-1.
Registration Requirements: Students must have completed JAPANESE 211-3 with C- or above, or must be placed into the class by the departmental placement test.
Learning Objectives Upon the successful completion of the course, the students will be able to 1) read a variety of news articles without heavily relying on a dictionary; 2) understand news on topics in finance, economics, social problems, etc.; 3) summarize the main point of news articles concisely; and 4) look at social issues reported in news and news articles in cultural and social contexts.
Teaching Method: Classes are conducted only in Japanese. Class time will be used for vocabulary building practices (e.g., paraphrasing, providing definitions in Japanese) and for discussions.
Evaluation Method: Kanji/vocabulary quizzes, assignments; oral and written examinations; active and productive class participation and class performance.
Class Materials (Required): Matsumoto, S. (2016). News Nihongo. Tokyo: The Japan Times. ISBN 978-4789015967
Overview of class This is ayear-long first-year course designed for beginning learners without previous knowledge in Korean language. The course aims to build students' all-around communicative ability in speaking, reading, listening and writing with a great emphasis on developing the conversational skill. Students will learn various aspects of Korean culture and society throughout the course.
Registration Requirements None for Fall Quarter
Completion of 111-1 or a departmental placement test for Winter Quarter; Completion of 111-2 or a departmental placement test for Spring Quarter
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Intermediate Low level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to achieve the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method Students will learn the basic elements of Korean language such as pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. In this student-centered class, students will actively participate in speaking, reading, writing and listening activities. Related supplemental materials such as video clips and reading texts will be incorporated to enhance students' listening and reading skills as well as the cultural understanding.
Evaluation Method Grade will be based on attendance and participation, vocabulary quizzes and lesson tests, assignments, oral tests and performance, and final examination.
Class Materials (Required) Integrated Korean (3rd edition): Beginning 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-7619-7 & 978-0-8248-8331-7
Workbook (3rd edition): Beginning 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-7650-0 & 978-0-8248-8336-2
Overview of class This is ayear-long first-year course designed for beginning learners without previous knowledge in Korean language. The course aims to build students' all-around communicative ability in speaking, reading, listening and writing with a great emphasis on developing the conversational skill. Students will learn various aspects of Korean culture and society throughout the course.
Registration Requirements None for Fall Quarter
Completion of 111-1 or a departmental placement test for Winter Quarter; Completion of 111-2 or a departmental placement test for Spring Quarter
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Intermediate Low level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to achieve the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method Students will learn the basic elements of Korean language such as pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. In this student-centered class, students will actively participate in speaking, reading, writing and listening activities. Related supplemental materials such as video clips and reading texts will be incorporated to enhance students' listening and reading skills as well as the cultural understanding.
Evaluation Method Grade will be based on attendance and participation, vocabulary quizzes and lesson tests, assignments, oral tests and performance, and final examination.
Class Materials (Required) Integrated Korean (3rd edition): Beginning 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-7619-7 & 978-0-8248-8331-7
Workbook (3rd edition): Beginning 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-7650-0 & 978-0-8248-8336-2
Overview of class This is ayear-long first-year course designed for beginning learners without previous knowledge in Korean language. The course aims to build students' all-around communicative ability in speaking, reading, listening and writing with a great emphasis on developing the conversational skill. Students will learn various aspects of Korean culture and society throughout the course.
Registration Requirements None for Fall Quarter
Completion of 111-1 or a departmental placement test for Winter Quarter; Completion of 111-2 or a departmental placement test for Spring Quarter
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Intermediate Low level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to achieve the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method Students will learn the basic elements of Korean language such as pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. In this student-centered class, students will actively participate in speaking, reading, writing and listening activities. Related supplemental materials such as video clips and reading texts will be incorporated to enhance students' listening and reading skills as well as the cultural understanding.
Evaluation Method Grade will be based on attendance and participation, vocabulary quizzes and lesson tests, assignments, oral tests and performance, and final examination.
Class Materials (Required) Integrated Korean (3rd edition): Beginning 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-7619-7 & 978-0-8248-8331-7
Workbook (3rd edition): Beginning 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-7650-0 & 978-0-8248-8336-2
Overview of class This is a year-long second-year Korean course for continuing students who finished Korean I or who have the equivalent proficiency. The course aims to further develop students' four skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing to the intermediate level and also to bring up the competency of Communication, Comparisons and Cultures in conjunction with the National Standards.
Registration Requirements Completion of 111-3 or the departmental placement test for Fall Quarter; Completion of 121-1 or a departmental placement test for Winter Quarter; Completion of 121-2 or a departmental placement test for Spring Quarter
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Intermediate Mid level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to achieve the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method Various communicative activities will be employed to develop the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills. Also, authentic reading, writing, and visual materials that cover a wide spectrum of socio-cultural and academic themes will be provided to enhance student’s overall competency and cultural understanding.
Evaluation Method Grades will be given based on attendance and class participation, vocabulary quizzes, lesson tests, assignments, oral test and performance, and final examination.
Class Materials (Required) Integrated Korean (3rd edition): Intermediate 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-8677-6 & 978-0-8248-8682-0
Workbook (3rd edition) : Intermediate 1 & (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-8676-9 & 978-0-8248-8683-7
Overview of class This is a year-long second-year Korean course for continuing students who finished Korean I or who have the equivalent proficiency. The course aims to further develop students' four skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing to the intermediate level and also to bring up the competency of Communication, Comparisons and Cultures in conjunction with the National Standards.
Registration Requirements Completion of 111-3 or the departmental placement test for Fall Quarter; Completion of 121-1 or a departmental placement test for Winter Quarter; Completion of 121-2 or a departmental placement test for Spring Quarter
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Intermediate Mid level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to achieve the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method Various communicative activities will be employed to develop the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills. Also, authentic reading, writing, and visual materials that cover a wide spectrum of socio-cultural and academic themes will be provided to enhance student’s overall competency and cultural understanding.
Evaluation Method Grades will be given based on attendance and class participation, vocabulary quizzes, lesson tests, assignments, oral test and performance, and final examination.
Class Materials (Required) Integrated Korean (3rd edition): Intermediate 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-8677-6 & 978-0-8248-8682-0
Workbook (3rd edition) : Intermediate 1 & (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-8676-9 & 978-0-8248-8683-7
Overview of class This is a year-long second-year Korean course for continuing students who finished Korean I or who have the equivalent proficiency. The course aims to further develop students' four skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing to the intermediate level and also to bring up the competency of Communication, Comparisons and Cultures in conjunction with the National Standards.
Registration Requirements Completion of 111-3 or the departmental placement test for Fall Quarter; Completion of 121-1 or a departmental placement test for Winter Quarter; Completion of 121-2 or a departmental placement test for Spring Quarter
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Intermediate Mid level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to achieve the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method Various communicative activities will be employed to develop the interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills. Also, authentic reading, writing, and visual materials that cover a wide spectrum of socio-cultural and academic themes will be provided to enhance student’s overall competency and cultural understanding.
Evaluation Method Grades will be given based on attendance and class participation, vocabulary quizzes, lesson tests, assignments, oral test and performance, and final examination.
Class Materials (Required) Integrated Korean (3rd edition): Intermediate 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-8677-6 & 978-0-8248-8682-0
Workbook (3rd edition) : Intermediate 1 & (University of Hawaii Press) 978-0-8248-8676-9 & 978-0-8248-8683-7
Overview of class This is a two-quarter-long second-year Accelerated Korean course designed for Korean heritage students with basic oral proficiency and literacy skills. The objectives of this class are to reinforce the aspects that heritage students are usually weak - - vocabulary and spelling - - and to enhance their reading and writing skills so that they can develop a more balanced proficiency in four language areas.
Registration Requirements A departmental placement test for Fall Quarter
Completion of 125-1 or a departmental placement test for Winter Quarter
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Intermediate High level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to achieve the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method This class is conducted exclusively in Korean with minimal grammar instruction. Students will be doing extensive writing practice, reading authentic materials, class discussion, and learning various cultural aspects of Korea.
Evaluation Method Grades will be given based on attendance and performance, vocabulary quizzes and lesson tests, assignments, written assignments, oral presentations, and final examination.
Class Materials (Required) Integrated Korean: Accelerated 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press, 2020) 978-0-8248-8277-8 & 978-0-8248-8278-5
Integrated Korean Workbook: Accelerated 1 & 2 (University of Hawaii Press, 2020) 978-0-8248-8629-5 & 978-0-8248-8630-1
Overview of class This is a year-long third-year course designed to further develop students’ linguistic and cultural ability, particularly to enhance the overall communicative skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing to the Intermediate-Advanced level. The vocabulary, contents, tasks, and topics covered in class are to address a wide spectrum of linguistic and socio-cultural aspects and students will gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of Korean culture and society.
Registration Requirements Completion of 121-3, 125-2 or the departmental placement test for Fall Quarter; Completion of 211-1 or a departmental placement test for Winter Quarter; Completion of 211-2 or a departmental placement test for Spring Quarter
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Advanced Low level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to develop the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method Various communicative activities will be employed with the emphasis on developing three modes of communication in advanced proficiency: Interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. Related authentic and cultural materials will be incorporated to enhance comparison and intercultural competence.
Evaluation Method Grades will be given based on attendance and class participation, vocabulary quizzes, lesson tests, assignments, essays, oral presentations, and final project.
Class Materials (Required) Sogang Korean 4A & 4B Students’ Book (2015) Sogang University 978-89-92491-84-6 18710 and 978-89-92491-88-4 18710
Sogang Korean 4A & 4B Workbook (2015) Sogang University 978-89-92491-92-1 13710 and 978-89-92491-91-4 13710
KOREAN 311-1 Korean IV: Readings in Korean Literature
Overview of class This advanced Korean language course is designed to challenge students to further develop their language proficiency by engaging with Korean literary sources in the text. Students will work on to improve their literacy skill by exposed to various genres of Korean literature such as short stories, essays, poetry and to enhance their knowledge in Korean history, culture and society.
Registration Requirements Completion of 211-3 or the departmental placement
Learning Objectives This course is designed to have students reach their oral proficiency at the Intermediate High level of the ACTFL guideline by the end of year as well as to develop the competency in interpersonal, presentational and interpretive communication and culture in conjunction with the National Standards.
Teaching Method Students will read and understand various genres of contemporary Korean literature. Using these authentic sources, students will expand vocabulary and advance reading proficiency. Also, students will work on to express their thoughts and opinions through discussions and write interpretive and analytical essays.
Evaluation Method Grades will be given based on attendance and class participation, vocabulary quizzes, discussion papers, reflection papers, oral presentation, and final project.
