Introduction to China Culture Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures Oklahoma State University Fall 2019 Course Syllabus Instructor: Cheng Chen Class Meetings: TR: 10:30-11:45pm @ Gundersen 307 Office Location: Gundersen 308A Office Hours: M, W: 1:30-3:00 pm Instructor Contact: OSU E-mail address: [email protected] v If you have any question or need assistance, the quickest way to contact me is by e-mail. In order to receive a same day response, please contact me before 4:00pm and note that I do not always check e-mail on weekends or school holidays. While communicating with your instructor, each email should have a subject line, a body and a signature (Full name, class and course number). Students with appointments during office hours will receive priority over students who walk in. 1. Course Description & Objectives 1.1 Description China today is a land of diversity, characterized by striking regional variations. Yet underlying this diversity is a shared cultural heritage: a unifying set of historical, literary, and artistic traditions, philosophical and religious ideas, political institutions, and a common writing system. This subject is an introduction to culture in China, including both traditional and contemporary examples. Critically examines the cultural elements that are widely considered to constitute “Chinese culture” historically and today. Examples include philosophical beliefs, literature, art, food, architecture, and popular culture, etc.. The influence and presence of Chinese cultural expressions in the U.S. are also considered. This course is suitable for students of all levels, and requires no Chinese language background and nor any other prerequisites. This course is taught in English. Students with a minor in Chinese may take this class. 1.2 Intended Learning Outcomes By the time you complete this course, you should be able to: § Identify the geography, history, customs and etiquettes of China. § Understand the basic tenets of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, and identify their influence on Chinse culture, particularly as exemplified in select works of Chinese literature and arts. § Critically examine contemporary discourses on “Chinese values”. § Explain the tension between globalization and localization as exemplified in Chinese cultural phenomena. § Identify manifestations of gender ideology in Chinese cultures, through specific case studies. 2. Required Texts and Resources § Gunde, R. (2001) Culture and Customs of China (Culture and Customs of Asia). Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing § Supplementary Reading Materials: See D2L 3. Evaluation 3.1. Grading Scale A: 90 -100 points (90-100%) B: 80- 89 points (80-89.99%) C: 70-79 points (70-79.99%) D: 60-69 points (60-69.99%) F: below 60 points (below 60%) W: Withdrawing from the university means dropping all courses and you are no longer enrolled for the current semester. This may occur until the Friday before pre-finals week. The withdrawal process is initiated with your academic advisor. For additional information and dates, go to: http://academicaffairs.okstate.edu/content/adding- dropping-and-withdrawing-courses * Students often have questions regarding evaluation of work. Instructors hold regular office hours to assist students with questions about the course or evaluation of submitted work. 3.2. Grade Components Categories Weight by % Reading responses 40% Cumulative reflection piece 10% Final oral presentation 15% Final project (summary and annotated 20% bibliography) Attendance and participation 15% 100% Grade Review* At any time during the semester instructors and students may schedule a face-to- face appointment to provide documented grades up until that point. However, students must not ask instructors to forecast or ensure they will receive a certain grade at the end of the semester. Instructors will not discuss final grades until everything is computed. It is the student’s responsiBility to keep all returned, graded assignments throughout the semester. 4. Pertinent Course Policies § Completing reading assignments on time and demonstrating the understanding of the materials during in-class discussion is the key to the success of taking this course. § Attendance is mandatory and is taken every time. Please come to class punctually. You can have two unexcused absences. More than two (2) unexcused absences will result in a letter lower of your final grade (e.g., B to a C). Additional absences will result in additional reductions of your attendance grades. I do not give warnings in the event that you are in danger of such a penalty. Walking out of the class during the class without advanced notice will be considered as an absence. In cases of illness or family emergency, please inform instructor in advance by e-mail. If you must leave class early, please notify the instructor in advance. § Participation and discussion on the reading materials are essential for this course. Group work will be held regularly in class. Participation points will be deducted if someone does not participate or cooperate in group discussions. Your class participation grade will be based on regular attendance, preparation, and active and thoughtful participation in class discussions, including active listening. The instructor will observe the class during discussion sections. § Make sure that you submit all your assignments on time. Reminders for important due dates will be available on D2L. It is your responsibility to check the course info on D2L regularly. Assignment due dates will be posted on D2L. Supplement reading materials will be posted on D2L as well. No extension will be granted, except in cases of serious illness or emergency, for which documentation is required. § Please turn your cell phone to courtesy mode and do not text during class. In case of emergency, you have to use your cell phone, please step out of the classroom to make a call or text. § Laptops, tablets and electronic reading devices are permitted in class for the sole purpose of consulting class materials or taking lecture notes. Use of e-mail, internet, texting, etc. and any work related to other classes are not permitted. Use of cell phones is not permitted without permission of instructor. For privacy purposes, video or audio taping is not permitted. § The instructor will be available to discuss any questions or concerns regarding the course with you. Please feel free to make an appointment. § You should consider communications with me, your professor, as professional communications. Beginning your email with an appropriate greeting by addressing me “Dear Professor Chen” or “ ”. Otherwise, I will not respond your email. Academic Integrity: Oklahoma State University is committed to the maintenance of the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct of its members. This level of ethical behavior and integrity will be maintained in this course. Participating in a behavior that violates academic integrity (e.g., unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism, multiple submissions, cheating on examinations, fabricating information, helping another person cheat, unauthorized advance access to examinations, altering or destroying the work of others, and fraudulently altering academic records) will result in your being sanctioned. Violations may subject you to disciplinary action including the following: receiving a failing grade on an assignment, examination or course, receiving a notation of a violation of academic integrity on your transcript, and being suspended or dismissed from the University. You have the right to appeal the charge. Contact the Office of Academic Affairs, 101 Whitehurst, 405-744-5627, http://academicintegrity.okstate.edu. 5. Important Information Fall 2019 Important Dates Last day to add a class (without instructor permission) 8/26/2019 Last day to drop a course with no grade and 100% refund 8/26/2019 Last day to add a class (requires instructor & advisor permission) 8/30/2019 Last day to drop a course or withdraw from the University with an automatic “W” and receive a partial refund (requires advisor signature) 8/30/2019 Last day to drop a class or withdraw from the University with an automatic “W” 11/08/2019 Last day to withdraw from all OSU classes with an assigned grade of “W” or “F” 11/22/2019 Pre-Finals week 12/2/2019-12/6/2019 Final examinations 12/09/2019-12/13/2019 6. Tentative Course schedule Date Topics Reading Assignment Due 8/20 Tues First day: syllabus, introduction 8/22 Thurs China, Land and People Gunde, R. “China, Land, People, and History.” Chapter 1 in Culture and One-paragraph Customs of China (Culture and Customs of Asia). Greenwood Publishing, Reflection 2001, pp. 1-12. “General Intro to China” (CANVAS) 8/27 Tues China, Land and People Gunde, R. “China, Land, People, and History.” Chapter 1 in Culture and Customs of China (Culture and Customs of Asia). Greenwood Publishing, 2001, pp. 1-12. 8/29 Thurs Discussion: The Concept Discussion Question (CANVAS) of “Face” and “Guanxi” 9/03 Tues History Gunde, R. “China, Land, People, and History.” Chapter 1 in Culture and Customs of China (Culture and Customs of Asia). Greenwood Publishing, 2001, pp. 12-34. http://www.ibiblio.org/chinesehistory/contents/01his/c01.html 9/05 Thurs History Presentation Reading Response 1 9/10 Tues Thoughts: "Euthyphro" (online) Western Patterns of Thought 9/12 Thurs Thoughts: 1."General Introduction to Early China" (online) Before Philosophy in 2. "The Historical Background of Chinese Thought" (online) China 9/17 Tues Thoughts: 1."General Introduction to Early China" (online) Before Philosophy in 2. "The Historical Background of Chinese Thought" (online) China 9/19 Thurs Thoughts: 1. The Confucian School (online) Confucianism, the Ru, 2. Analects, "Introduction," pp. i-ix, and Book I (online) and the Analects 9/24 Tues Thoughts: Analects, Books IV & IX, plus passages 12.1 and 12.2 in Book XII (online) Confucius on Moral Perfection 9/26 Thurs Thoughts: Analects, Books III & X; passages 12.11, 15.3, 15.31 Reading Response 2 Ritual and Man’s Social Nature 10/01 Tues Thoughts: Mencius, Readings 2 The source of Virtue in Mencius, Readings 3 Mencius, Mencius on Human Nature as Good 10/03 Thurs Thoughts: Dao de jing, pp.