View New Course Proposal New Undergraduate Course Proposal Form 1. Department and Contact Information Tracking Number Date & Time Submitted 770 2008-11-19 19:03:40 Department College Budget Account Number WLE Arts & Sciences 0-1241-000 Contact Person Phone Email Eric Shepherd 974-3635 eshepher@cas.usf.edu 2. Course Information Prefix Number Full Title CHT 3500 Introduction to Chinese Culture Is the course title variable? Is a permit required for registration? Are the credit hours variable? N N N Credit Hours Section Type Grading Option 3 Class Lecture (Primarily) Regular Total Clock Hours Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum) 45 Intro to Chinese Culture Prerequisites None Corequisites Co-Prerequisites Course Description CHT3500 is an introductory survey of Chinese cultural traditions with an emphasis on themes important to successful interaction in contemporary Chinese society. The language of instruction is English. 3. Justification A. Indicate how this course will strengthen the Undergraduate Program. Is this course necessary for accreditation or certification? This course is designed to provide supporting knowledge for coursework done in the developing Chinese language program in the target language. It is designed so that it will also provide non-majors with an introductory survey of a non-western culture from a humanistic perspective. B. What specific area of knowledge is covered by this course which is not covered by courses currently listed? USF courses currently offered that relate to China do so from a social science and/or historical perspective and deal with cultural products. This course's focus on modern Chinese behavioral culture, communication patterns, interaction norms, and modes of thought will offer USF undergraduates an option to learn how the world is viewed from a non-european perspective and will better equip them to interact with people from non- European areas of the world. It is designed to enable students to engage China and Chinese people in a more sophisticated manner. http://www.ugs.usf.edu/ugc/proposals/view_new.cfm?id=770[1/19/2010 10:19:32 AM]
View New Course Proposal C. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? This course will expand USF s China-related course offerings adding a humanistic approach and will enhance Chinese language course offerings by adding supporting cultural knowledge important for long-term interaction with Chinese people. As such, it will serve as a core pre-requisite requirement for both a Chinese minor and major to be proposed this academic year. This course is also viewed as a mechanism to increase language course enrollments by increasing interest in Chinese language and culture. As a survey course taught in English, this course also increases the number of offerings available to all undergraduate majors in the areas of international focus, human diversity and non-western thought/culture. D. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, what was the enrollment? This course is to be offered as an experimental course Spring 09 and has 23 students enrolled as of 11/19/09. E. How frequently will the course be offered? What is the anticipated enrollment? This course will be offered once each academic year. Anticipated enrollment is 30-40 students. F. Do you plan to drop a course if this course is added? If so, what will be the effect on the program and on the students? (Please forward the nonsubstantive course change form regarding the course to be deleted to the Council secretary.) No. G. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) An MA in Chinese language or Cultural Studies is required to teach this course. 4. Other Course Information A. Objectives / Outcomes The overarching goal of this course is to introduce students to Chinese culture in a manner that enhances their ability to successfully interact with Chinese people. By exploring commonly encountered contexts in modern Chinese society, students will learn how Chinese view the world as well as strategies for interacting in those contexts. Course activities are designed to help students develop a basic understanding for common Chinese interaction patterns and core beliefs as well as to expose them to issues important to Chinese people so that they can then engage in intelligent discussion of those topics with Chinese counterparts. Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to engage in informed discussions about China. B. Major Topics Chinese culture, stereotypes and approaches to dealing with China, Chinese sterotypes of Americans, Chinese geography, the languages of China, Chinese cosmology, Chinese mythology, modern Chinese history, traditional Chinese literature, modern Chinese literature, Post-Mao Literature, Chinese television, Chinese music, Chinese movies, Chinese customs, Chinese eating and drinking practices, Chinese etiquette, Chinese interaction patterns, Chinese values, Chinese modes of thought, Chinese behavior, face, interpersonal relationships, socialization patterns C. Textbooks Gao, Ge and Stella Ting-Toomey. 1998. Communicating Effectively with the Chinese. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. Goldblatt, Howard and Joseph Lau. Eds. http://www.ugs.usf.edu/ugc/proposals/view_new.cfm?id=770[1/19/2010 10:19:32 AM]
View New Course Proposal 5. Syllabus 2007. Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Literature. New York: Columbia University Press. Grasso, June, Jay Corrin, and Michael Kort. 2004. Modernization and Revolution in China: From the Opium Wars to World Power. 3rd Edition. New York: M. E. Sharpe. Your college will forward an electronic copy of your syllabus to Undergraduate Studies when your course is approved for submission. http://www.ugs.usf.edu/ugc/proposals/view_new.cfm?id=770[1/19/2010 10:19:32 AM]
INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE CULTURE Day and Time: MW, 3:05-4:20 PM Location: EDU 257 Section: Credit hours: 3 credit hours Eric Shepherd 谢博德 (xiè bódé) Department of World Languages College of Arts and Sciences Office: CPR 436 Phone: 974-3635 Fax: 974-1718 E-mail: eshepher@cas.usf.edu Office Hours: MW, 4:20-6:00 COURSE INFORMATION INSTRUCTOR Course Description CHT 3500 is an introductory survey of modern Chinese culture. For the purposes of the course, Chinese culture is defined broadly to include various aspects of Chinese thought, behavior, life and society. Within that framework, course activities will revolve around developing a basic understanding of common Chinese interaction patterns and core beliefs. CHT 3500 is taught in English and is open to students of all majors. The course is required for either a major or minor in Chinese. Course Objectives The course is divided into two phases. Phase one, roughly the first seven weeks of the semester, will be a general introduction to various notions and types of culture followed by a geographical orientation to China and an overview of traditional China, including the major political and historical trends, events, and figures that have shaped modern China. This phase of the course will present the student with a chronological overview of Chinese history, primarily through a combination of readings, lecture/discussions and videos. Basic knowledge of the historical development of China is a prerequisite to understanding how Chinese people interact now and will be assumed during the second phase of the course. Phase two of the course will examine various types of culture as they are found in contemporary China including examples from specific regional subcultures, achievement culture, mainstream popular culture, folk culture, and behavioral culture. The intent is that by looking at various types and levels of Chinese culture students will be exposed to aspects of society basic to any understanding of Chinese culture. Course 1
activities are designed to highlight elements of Chinese culture critical for sustained interaction with Chinese people in commonly occurring contexts in contemporary China. Learning Outcomes The overarching goal of this course is to introduce students to modern Chinese culture. By exploring commonly encountered contexts in modern Chinese society, students will learn how Chinese view the world as well as strategies proven to lead to sustained interaction in those contexts. Course activities are designed to help students develop a basic understanding of common Chinese interaction patterns and core beliefs as well as to expose them to issues important to Chinese people so that they can then engage in informed discussion of those topics with Chinese counterparts. Upon completion, students will also have a rudimentary understanding of the historical development of China and how that development has shaped modern Chinese culture. REQUIRED TEXTS Gao, Ge and Stella Ting-Toomey. 1998. Communicating Effectively with the Chinese. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. Goldblatt, Howard and Joseph Lau. Eds. 2007. Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Literature. New York: Columbia University Press. Grasso, June, Jay Corrin, and Michael Kort. 2004. Modernization and Revolution in China: From the Opium Wars to World Power. 3 rd Edition. New York: M. E. Sharpe. Additional readings will be placed on the course Blackboard site. Percentage Grade Scale GRADING 93-100 = A 83-87 = B 73-77 = C 63-67 = D 90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 70-72 = C- 60-62 = D- 88-89 = B+ 78-79 = C+ 68-69 = D+ 0-59 = Fail *CHT 3500 may be taken S/U provided prior arrangements are made with the instructor. An I grade will only be given under extreme medical emergencies supported by written documentation. Your performance will be assessed based on the following assignments: Midterm 20% Final 25% Response Papers (X5) 25% Oral Presentation of Course Project 20% 2
Attendance and Participation 10% Midterm/Final The midterm and final will consist of a combination of identification, short answer and short essay questions. The final will be cumulative, though emphasis is placed on material covered in the latter half of the course. Response Papers Response papers will be 400-500 words in length (two typed, double-spaced pages-i stop reading at 2 pages regardless of how great your response is) and will be submitted according to the dates listed on the syllabus. NO LATE RESPONSE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR GRADE. Each student is required to submit five (5) responses to readings, class discussions, activities or videos. The topics for response papers are set as follows: 1) What is culture? 2) Find and attend an event that deals with Chinese culture in some way such as a Chinese New Year s celebration, a local Chinese community event, etc. Write an ethnographic account of your observations and reaction to attending. 3) Choose one assigned reading from the Chinese literary tradition to respond to. Write a 2-page opinion piece based on your reading. 4) View a Chinese movie (must be a movie produced in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan) other than the films chosen to watch during class. In the role of a movie critic, write a 2- page review of the movie. 5) Choose an article on some aspect of current events that is covered in both US (NY Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, etc.) and Chinese (People s Daily, Southern Weekend, Xinhua, etc.) media (print or electronic). Read the coverage of the same event in two (one US and one Chinese) sources. Then, write a 2-page opinion piece. Oral Presentations Each student will be required to give an oral presentation of an independent research project in an area of interest relating to contemporary Chinese culture. Project topics will be determined individually and must be approved by the instructor no later than the week after the midterm exam. They can be done individually or in groups (no more than three individuals in a group). Projects must relate to one of the various aspects of Chinese culture discussed during the course. Although oral in nature, projects require independent, out-of-class reading in the chosen topic area and may require the preparation of audio/visual aids such as Power Points, outlines, and/or handouts. Examples of past projects include: martial arts talks and demonstrations; introductions to and demonstrations of Chinese tea ceremony practices; results of interviewing local Chinese about some aspect of Chinese culture; talks about Chinese medicine/acupuncture; 3
introductions to Chinese artists, directors, actors, singers, bands, performance styles, or genres; and media projects on various aspects of Chinese culture. Students may also select any of the various media (newspapers, television, internet, radio, etc.) that cover China for a semester-long survey of the China-related stories found in that particular form of media. Among the best projects in the past have been: 1) A student conducted a poll of hundreds of students on basic knowledge about China. She then presented her findings to the class. 2) A student created a 7-minute documentary film on a Chinese director that he liked. 3) Several groups of students have chosen to create their own short performances based on Chinese stories or performance traditions. Among them have been excellent renditions of Chinese folk stories and short plays that reflect Chinese cultural values. 4) A student interviewed a large number of local Chinese about traditional stories, what they were about, how they learned them, what contexts they heard them in and what they meant. He then presented his findings to the class. 5) A student followed reports on China in the New York Times and the People s Daily throughout the semester. He then analyzed trends and reported his understanding of the differing cultural perspectives that drove those trends. Attendance and Participation Students are expected to have read all assigned readings prior to the class to which they pertain and thus should be prepared to ask and answer questions about them. Active participation in class discussion and activities (or lack of) will be noted and will affect your participation grade. Quizzes on assigned content may be given at any time if the instructor deems them necessary (i.e., if significant numbers of students in the class are regularly absent and/or not prepared or have not done assigned readings prior to class). Quiz scores will count towards the attendance and participation grade. Students who anticipate missing classes when graded assignments are scheduled because of a religious holiday are expected to notify Dr. Shepherd prior to the absence so that arrangements can be made to make up the assignments. Course Policies Disability Accommodations: Any student with a disability is encouraged to meet with me privately during the first week of class to discuss accommodations. Each student must bring a current Memorandum of Accommodations from USF s Students with Disabilities Services; this is a prerequisite for receiving accommodations. Accommodated examinations through Students with Disabilities Services require two weeks notice. Student Conduct and Academic Dishonesty: Students are expected to read the University s Undergraduate Catalog regarding policies on student conduct, academic dishonesty, etc.: www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0607/adadap.htm. Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. The University of South Florida has an account with an automated plagiarism detection service which allows instructors to submit student assignments to be checked for plagiarism. I reserve the right to submit assignments to this detection system. 4
Assignments are compared automatically with a huge database of journal articles, web articles, and previously submitted papers. The instructor receives a report showing exactly how a student s paper was plagiarized. Taping of Classes Arrangements can be made for students with documented learning disabilities to tape class lectures. Otherwise, the taping and sale of class lectures is not permitted. DAILY SCHEDULE WEEK ONE: Introduction I M, 1/5 Introduction to course, impressions of and approaches to China, What is culture? W, 1/7 Physical Introduction to China Readings: Grasso, pp. 1-33. WEEK TWO: Introduction II M, 1/12 The Languages of China Readings: Grasso, pp. 34-70. W, 1/14 Beginnings: Mythology and Archaeology Readings: Grasso, pp. 71-96 Due: Response Paper #1: What is culture? WEEK THREE: Historical Background I M, 1/19 No Class-Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday W, 1/21 Pre-Imperial China: Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties Readings: Grasso, pp. 97-122. WEEK FOUR: Historical Background II M, 1/26 Imperial China: Qin, Han, Three Kingdoms and Five Dynasties Periods, Sui, Tang, Song Dynasties Readings: Grasso, pp. 123-142. W, 1/28 Late Imperial China: Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties Readings: Grasso, pp. 143-178. WEEK FIVE: Historical Background III M, 2/2 Video and Discussion: China in Revolution Readings: Grasso, pp. 179-207. W, 2/4 Video and Discussion: China in Revolution Readings: Grasso, pp. 208-240. 5
Due: Response paper #2: Response to media report of current event WEEK SIX: Modern China I M, 2/9 Video and Discussion: The Mao Years Readings: Grasso, pp. 241-262. W, 2/11 Video and Discussion: The Mao Years Readings: Grasso, pp. 263-322. WEEK SEVEN: Modern China II M, 2/16 Video and Discussion: Born Under the Red Flag Readings: Grasso, pp. 263-322. W, 2/18 Video and Discussion: Born Under the Red Flag Due: Response Paper #3: Reaction to Chinese cultural event WEEK EIGHT: Modern China III M, 2/23 Post-Mao Reform China Readings: TBA W, 2/25 Movie and Discussion: Ermo Readings: TBA WEEK NINE: Achievement Culture I M, 3/2 MIDTERM EXAMINATION W, 3/4 Traditional Chinese Literature Readings: Selections from The Analects, Mencius, Lao zi, Du Fu, Li Bai, Pu Songling, Canary Murders WEEK TEN: Achievement Culture II M, 3/9 New Culture, May Fourth, and Mao Period Literature Readings: Goldblatt: A Madman s Diary, Kong Yiji, The Fish, Curvaceous Dolls Dead Water, Snow Falls on China s Land, My Turn at Quitting Smoking, Nineteen Seventy-two and Ba Jin s The Family W, 3/11 Post-Mao Literature Readings: Goldblatt: Dogshit Food, The Accident ; Electing a Thief and Ge Fei s Remembering Mr. Wu You ; Chen Ran s Sunshine Between the Lips Chi Li s Willow Waist ; Mo Yan s The Cure WEEK ELEVEN: Spring Break WEEK TWELVE: Popular Culture I M, 3/23 Chinese Television and Drama 6
Readings: Lao She, Tea House W, 3/25 Chinese Radio and Music Readings: Gao, pp. 1-21 Due: Response Paper #4: Response to Chinese literature WEEK THIRTEEN: Popular Culture II M, 3/30 Chinese Movies Readings: Gao, pp. 23-34 W, 4/1 Movie: Cell Phone Readings: Gao, pp. 35-52 WEEK FOURTEEN: Folk Culture I M, 4/6 Customs and Holidays Readings: Gao, pp. 53-68 Due: Response Paper #5: Review of Chinese movie W, 4/8 Food, Eating, Drinking and Etiquette Readings: Shepherd, Eat Shandong, Chapters 1 and 2 WEEK FIFTEEN: Folk Culture II M, 4/13 Performing Arts, Storytelling Readings: Wu Song Fights the Tiger W, 4/15 Participating in Chinese Culture Readings: Gao, pp. 69-93 WEEK SIXTEEN: Presentations and Review M, 4/20 Student Presentations W, 4/22 Student Presentations FINAL EXAM: TBA 7