CCIV0102 Chinese Civilisation II

Course Aims & Objectives:
Aims:

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge on the various elements and aspects of China's cultural achievements. This is one of the measures taken up by the University to strengthen students' cultural competence. On top of receiving proper training in the chosen disciplines, understanding the Chinese cultural heritage is an essential part to students' intellectual wealth, academic excellence and future career.

Objectives:

• Understand the political and social environment of the dynasties from Wei Jin to Qing in general;
• Have a comprehensive understanding of thought of Taoism, Buddhism and other religions;
• Have a comprehensive understanding of some outstanding literary works in the dynasties from Wei Jin to Qing;
• Understand the achievement of sculpture, calligraphy, painting and other art works in the dynasties from Wei Jin to Qing.
• Build up a rich vocabulary and be able to express their opinion on the achievement of sculpture, calligraphy, painting and other art works in the dynasties from Wei Jin to Qing.

Units: 3

Level: B/A

Medium of Assessment: Chinese 

Keyword Syllabus:
The Silk Road. The poetry of the Tang Dynasty. Sculpture. Calligraphy. The imperial examination and the school system. The "four inventions". Lixue: A Confucian school of idealist philosophy of the Song and Ming Dynasties. The propagation of Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism in China. Cultural exchanges between the East and West in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Songci: Popular lyrical writings in the Song Dynasty. Yuanqu: Popular verses sung in the Yuan Dynasty. The novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The ink paintings of literati. Architecture and gardening in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Jingju: Beijing opera.

Teaching Pattern:
Duration of course: 1 semester
Current mix of lecture/tutorial/laboratory, other: Open lectures (120 hours of student work)
Medium of instruction: Cantonese or Putonghua

Assessment Pattern:
Grading pattern: Pass/Fail
Assessment will be determined by the performance of students in two equal-weighted assessment components: a learning file (including self-administered tests) and a course report in the form of several short essays.