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Unit of study_
CHNS3643: Classical Chinese Language A
2025 unit information
This unit offers an introduction to Classical Chinese, an ancient language that still plays a role in modern China and that often challenges Western notions of how languages behave. Students will develop a basic understanding of the grammar and vocabulary, thus equipping themselves for exploration of China's distinctive philosophical and literary traditions in the original language. They will undertake supplementary reading in English on a topic of their choice, thus enriching their knowledge of premodern Chinese culture.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Chinese Studies |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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Chinese native or background speakers or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Chinese Studies |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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CHNS2611 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. interpret basic Classical Chinese grammar both in original context and in its frequent occurrences within modern Chinese.
- LO2. apply skills in interpreting classical Chinese to gain firsthand access to many of the key sources necessary for the serious study of most aspects of traditional (and some aspects of modern) Chinese history, philosophy and culture.
- LO3. develop lateral thinking abilities by practicing the flexible, creative application of grammatical principles to make sense of baffling sentences, also supported by independent reading in an individually chosen area of cultural background.
- LO4. discriminate between full-form ('traditional') characters and simplified ones, as well as comprehending both, equipping them to decipher texts from China's mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as many other types of premodern material including inscriptions.
- LO5. use digital tools and effective academic presentation techniques for basic research in the study of premodern Chinese texts.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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