Brandeis University
SYLLABUS FOR ADVANCED CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION Ⅱ
Course description:
Chinese 105B is intended for students who have completed Advanced Conversation and CompositionⅠat Brandeis University or an equivalent set of courses elsewhere. This course will further develop the students’ language abilities at an advanced level. Students will expand their vocabulary, enrich their understanding of Chinese grammar, improve their speaking skills through class discussions and oral presentations, and strengthen their writing skills through essay compositions in the genres of description, narration and persuasion. In particular, speaking and writing skills will be enhanced by the introduction of new Chinese compounds, idiomatic expression, and the ability to distinguish between formal and informal styles of Chinese. Readings include modern Chinese literature, academic works, and newspaper articles, and students will make use of supplementary audio-visual materials. Following topics will be discussed in the class: Chinese history, business, social relationships, government and international relations, human rights, Chinese newspapers and periodicals, hot topics about China such as Taiwan issue,environmental issues, belief systems, etc.
Learning Goals:
Students will be able to speak with correct pronunciation and tones, put stress on the right words, and use tones of voice appropriately.
Students will learn more grammar of literary style Chinese. The structure of argumentative paper will be taught.
They are expected to be able to recognize and write about 2000 Chinese characters and about 6000 Chinese words. Most frequently used literary style Chinese words and phases will be taught.
Using sentences, strings of sentences, fluid sentence-length and paragraph-length messages with frequency of errors proportionate to the complexity of the communicative task, students will discuss national, international or current events, exchange opinions on a variety of contemporary or historical topics and use rephrasing, summarization or elaboration to substantiate opinions or express ideas and emotions.
Besides, they should be able to read articles in a magazine, journal or newspaper and understand main ideas, indentify the main points and details in a radio or TV news program, and write argumentative papers.
Instructor:
JianWei 魏健
E-mail:
Office:Shiffman 111
Textbook:
知人论世 Understanding the People and the World 2
Evaluation:
The final course grade will be based on the following:
Attendance: 10% (For each absence, 0.3 point will be deducted.)
Class participation: 5%
Dictation: 10%
Homework & assignment: 10%
Compositions: 10%
Oral presentation tests: 10%
Tests: 15%
Midterm exam: 15%
Final exam: 15%