Module manager: Dr David Pattinson
Email: D.Pattinson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Successful completion of Level 2 Chinese, or recognised equivalent
| EAST2126 | Classical Chinese |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Classical Chinese, the medieval and later evolution of which is often referred to as literary Chinese, was the language used across Chinese history until the early twentieth century for nearly all official texts and most writing by the educated classes that dominated the Chinese cultural tradition. Such was its influence that the pre-modern vernacular and modern Chinese is littered with traces of the classical language. The ability to write poetry in the classical language was a marker of membership of the cultural elite. In this module, students will read selected texts from the Classical Chinese tradition, gaining a basic knowledge of the structures and vocabulary of Classical Chinese, and a sense of the range of genres in which it was employed. Students will also gain an appreciation of the challenges and possibilities in translating these texts into English, primarily through translating texts themselves and explaining their strategies and choices. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module
This module aims to give students: ·
a foundational knowledge of the structures and vocabulary of Classical and literary Chinese; ·
an awareness of the common reference tools available for Chinese language, literature and history; ·
a sense of the variety of genres in which the classical language was used, from official prose to familiar essays and poetry; ·
an awareness of the influence of Classical Chinese on modern Chinese; ·
understanding and experience of the challenges and possibilities of translating Classical Chinese texts into English;
awareness of some recent scholarship regarding specific topics in the Classical Chinese tradition
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Identify the function of common grammatical elements in familiar and unfamiliar texts from the Classical Chinese tradition, and demonstrate your understanding through explanation or translation;
2. Translate seen and similar unseen texts, both prose and poetry, into English, with the help of annotations where the text is unseen;
3. Translate certain types of previously unseen Classical Chinese texts into English using dictionaries and other resources;
4. Place the Classical Chinese texts you read in their historical contexts;
5. Justify your translation strategies and choices when translating previously untranslated texts from Classical Chinese into English in terms understandable to a well-read layperson.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
6. Assemble information from a range of reliable sources and critically analyse that information;
7. Interpret ideas from one language and culture in terms understandable by another while being alert to the potential distortions that occur in cross-cultural exchange;
Through readings of selected works of prose and poetry, students will learn the fundamentals of Classical Chinese grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Prose texts for study will include selections from early philosophical and historiographical works such as the 'Zuo zhuan' (Zuo Commentary), the 'Meng zi' (Mencius),the 'Zhuang zi', the 'Han Fei zi' and Sima Qian's 'Shi ji' (Records of the Historian) as well as later prose works.
Poetry for study will be chosen from among the 'Shi jing' (Book of Songs), late Han and Six Dynasties poetry, the 'shi' poems of the Tang ad the 'ci' lyrics of the Song dynasty.
Students are also expected to read related texts in English translation and scholarship about the texts and genres being studied, and to gain a basic understanding of the research tools available for studying Classical Chinese texts.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Seminar | 28 | 1 | 28 |
| Private study hours | 171.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 28.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students are offered one half-hour supervision meeting for their translation and essays. This may include reading partial drafts of the essay. Language feedback is offered as part of class reading as students are asked to translate sentences.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Translation with essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S2) | 3.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 25/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team