CHIN 101-01, Elementary Chinese, Fall 2004

Abstract

This course introduces students with no previous knowledge of Chinese to the language--called "Mandarin" by English speakers, putonghua in the People's Republic, and Kuo-yu in Taiwan. Equal emphasis will be given to acquiring the rudiments of both spoken and written Chinese. Although oral-aural work naturally makes up the bulk of our work in the classroom, the instructors will always be available during their office hours to help students with their written homework or their writing of characters. Students who finished the year course will have mastered approximately 700 characters and a vocabulary of a little more than 1,000 words. They should be able to hold simple conversation on daily-life topics, and to travel with relative independence in Chinese-speaking countries. We hope also to acquaint students with some basic aspects of Chinese culture and society as a necessary part of their education in this world language.