Colorado College Asian Studies
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Courses on China
101 Elementary Chinese. Introduction to Mandarin Chinese, emphasis on basic grammar, speaking, and listening comprehension as well as mastery of some 500 characters for reading and writing. Language laboratory required. (Also listed as Chinese 101.) 2 units - Jiang and Huang
109 Chinese Meditative Arts. The history and philosophy of Chinese arts will be introduced with its applications for meditation, relaxation, concentration, and physical development. Short forms of Tai chi, Tai chi sword, and health-related techniques will be taught in conjunction with the art and practice of Chinese brush calligraphy and seal carving. Other art forms such as Chinese music, theater, and dance will be introduced briefly. The correlation/interface of the Chinese body movement and the arts practice would, hopefully, rekindle one's interest in and lead to further exploration of the Asian culture. (Also listed as Dance 102.) 1 unit - Wang
113, 114 Chinese Skill Maintenance. Conversation and limited reading and writing practice in Chinese language. Prerequisite: 101. (Also listed as Chinese 103, 104.) 1/4 unit each - Zhang
117 Introduction to Asian Art. Introduction to Asian art in its historical and cultural context with emphasis on China, Japan, and India. (Also listed as Art History 113.) (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) 2 units - Bentley
155 The Art of China. Chinese art from ancient to modern times in its cultural context. Artistic and archaeological materials will be examined in order to learn where, when, and how the culture we call Chinese evolved. Special attention will be given to attitudes toward art today, and to recent archaeological discoveries. (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.)meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) Also listed as Art History 155.) 1 unit - Bentley
201 Intermediate Chinese I. The course emphasizes the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills after the elementary level. Video materials supplement the course and place the language in a cultural context. Prerequisite: 102. (Also listed as Chinese 201.) 1 unit - Jiang
202 Advanced Intermediate Chinese II. The course builds on the language proficiency gained in 201. Increased use of the written and spoken language designed to build proficiency. Prerequisite: 201. (Also listed as Chinese 202.) 1 unit - Jiang and Zhang
211 Masterpieces of Chinese Literature in Translation. This course will acquaint students with major forms of Chinese fiction: pi-chi, ch'uan-ch'i, ppien-wen, hua-pen, kung-an, and the novel, as well as modern Chinese vernacular literature. (Also listed as Chinese 212.) (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) 1 unit - Jiang
216 Confucianism. Close reading of primary philosophical and ethical texts in the classical and Neo-Confucian traditions, including the writings of Confucius, Mencius, and Wang Yang-ming, with attention as well to modern scholarly interpretations of this literature. The influence of Confucianism on East Asian civilizations in general. (Also listed as Religion 206.) (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) 1 unit - Gardiner
218 Taoism. Close reading of Lao- tzu's Tao te ching and the writings of Chuang-tzu, supplemented by modern scholarly treatments of this literature. We will explore such topics in religious and philosophical Taoism as the spontaneity and naturalness of Wu- Wei; the natural world as teacher; meditative and dietary practices; the Taoist church and its priests and rituals. (Also listed as Religion 208.) (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) 1 unit - Gardiner
224 Chinese Women Writers and Their Works. This course will focus on a comparative study of the voice of Chinese women writers in the 1920s and 1980s, examine women writers' works in a social-historical context, and discuss the difference of women's places and problems in traditional Chinese culture and modern Chinese society. The course will also try to define the similar and different expressions of "feminism" as a term in the West and the East. (Also listed as Chinese 221 and Women's Studies 224.) (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) 1 unit - Jiang
228 East Asia Since 1200. Examines the history of East Asia from the height of the imperial system before the Mongol invasion to the changes in society, economy, and culture during the Late Imperial Period (14th-19th centuries). Political and social history of China, Japan, and Korea will form the focus of this course. This course will prepare students for advanced study of China and Japan. (Also listed as History 228.) (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) 2 units - Staff
42 Religion in China. Focuses on four aspects of religion in China: folk religion, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. The course includes an introduction to Confucius' Analects and Lao-Tzu's Tao te ching; the Chinese transformation of Buddhism and the Buddhist transformation of China; the I ching; the significance of ancestor veneration; and the centrality of ideals of harmony on individual, social, and cosmic levels. (Also listed as Religion 243.) (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) 1 unit - Gardiner
PA 250, Block 1-2: Topics on Asian Literature & Culture. Language opens the door to culture. This course will pay attention to the relationship between Chinese language and culture, and word and image. The course begins with the study of Chinese language with emphasis on basic grammar, speaking, and listening comprehension as well as mastery of some 250 Chinese characters for reading and writing (mainly in Block 1), and then introduces students to how Chinese language and philosophical thinking transformed ways of life for the East and to the major forms of Chinese literature and art such as poetry, painting, calligraphy and traditional Chinese garden (mainly in Block 2). This is an introductory course, which attempts to spark an interest in Chinese language and art and to lead students to study Chinese language and art in a broader social and cultural context. 1 unit- Jiang
PA 250, Block 1-4: Chinese Calligraphy. An introduction to Chinese brushwork covering calligraphy, bamboo, orchid and tree painting, as well as some bird painting. .25 units- Tu
PA 250, Block 1: Issues in Chinese History. (Also HY 200.) 1 unit- department.
PA 250, Block 2: China and the World. Offers a Chinese perspective on China's foreign relations in the new century. Taught by a professor from Fudan University in Shanghai, the course will emphasize national security and arms control issues. 1 unit- Shen
PA 250, Block 4: Word and Image in Chinese and Japanese Art: This course will examine the relationship between literature and art in Chinese and Japanese tomb art, painting, prints, and ceramics. Due to its thematic nature, the course will not provide a comprehensive Asian art survey. In China, we will examine Confucian texts and Sima Qian's Records of the Historian in relation to the Wu shrines; and Neo-Daoist writings in relation to the Seven Sages to the Bamboo Grove tomb engravings. Then we will consider allusion sin Song painting to Tang and Song poetry; and the literary basis for Ming dynasty drama illustrations and printing playing cards. In Japan, we begin by examining Heian court poetry in relation to court art. We then consider the relationship between Zen writings and medieval monochrome ink paintings; and the role of the Zen church in the shifting aesthetics of the tea ceremony. The course concluded by investigating ironic juxtapositions of word and image in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Prerequisite:100 level AH course or COI (AH 200.) 1 unit- Bentley
PA 250, Blocks 5-8: Chinese Calligraphy. An introduction to Chinese brushwork covering calligraphy, bamboo, orchid and tree painting, as well as some bird painting. .25 units- Tu
PA 250, Block 5: History and Politics of China and Taiwan. Explores the cultural and political history of Taiwan, emphasizing its unique political relationship with the United States and the effects of that relationship on Mainland China. (Taught in Taiwan.) (Also listed as PS 203.) 1 unit- Fennell.
PA 250, Block 8: Chinese Archeology, Prehistory, and Culture. This course will be offered in Taiwan and China during Block 8 of the 2003 academic year. It is part of a one-semester program titled "Science in China" directed by Tim Cheek (History) and Ralph Bertrand (Biology). The course will involve extensive travel in both Taiwan and China with an emphasis on developing an appreciation for Chinese prehistory, in particular, through visits and in-depth study of several important archaeological and historic sites. Students must be enrolled in the "Science in China" program to be eligible for this course. All initial inquiries should be addressed to Ralph Bertrand in Biology. (Also PS 203, AN 211). 1 unit- Oxenham
302 Advanced Chinese Language. Intensive practice in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehending modern Chinese. Prerequisite: 202. (Also listed as Chinese 301.) (Offered as an extended format course blocks 1-8.) 1 unit - Jiang
331 Comparative Politics: China Under Reform. Emphasis on the period of reform and opening to the world after 1976 and the contemporary politics of the People's Republic of China. (Also listed as Political Science 331.) 1 unit - Fennell
346 Western Political Thought in China. Exploration of contemporary Chinese perspectives on modern Western political thinkers. (Also listed as Political Science 346.) 1 unit - Fuller
347 Ethics and Politics in China and the West. Comparative study of classic works of such thinkers as Confucius, Lao, Tzu, Aristotle and the Stoics, and their modern successors. (Also listed as Political Science 347.) 1 unit - Fuller and Cheek
348 Women's Liberation Movement in China. An analysis of the women's liberation movement in China. (Also listed as Political Science 348 and Women's Studies 348.) 1 unit - Fennell
384 Twentieth Century China. Chinese ways of life and thought and the interaction of local social patterns with government and elite ideals. Focuses on the last great dynasty, the Qing. (Writing Emphasis.) Prerequisite: previous study of China or consent of instructor. (Also listed as History 327.) (Offered alternate years; offered 2001-02.) (Meets the Alternative Perspectives: B requirement.) 1 unit - Staff