LFU:online

Students will gain an understanding of Chinese ways of thinking, literature, culture, art, and social trends through various media, including novels, films, newspaper articles, operas, and more.

Exploration of idiom meanings, the spectrum of influential text genres, and the traditions based on them as reflections of social life and societal changes (ranging from classical poetry to ghost and miracle tales, opera, and contemporary media culture).

1. Chinese Poetry:
   Chinese poetry has a long history, from the songs of the Shijing (10th–6th century BCE) through the classical verse forms of the Tang (618–906) and Song (960–1279) dynasties to modern and contemporary poetry. Works from different epochs provide deeper insights into social structures and the interconnection of spirit and nature. In Chinese understanding, poetry is not a marginal genre but a central medium of cultural life, uniting emotion and form as the core of literary culture.
2. Classical Works:
   Chinese narrative literature includes many classics such as Laozi, Zhuangzi, Dream of the Red Chamber, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Journey to the West. These works hold a significant place in Chinese literary history, reflecting the social life and values of their respective historical periods.
3. The Evolution of Chinese Characters:
   The development of Chinese characters spans from early oracle bone inscriptions to bronze inscriptions, seal scripts, clerical scripts, and cursive scripts, culminating in script reform exclusively in the People's Republic of China between the 1950s and 1980s. Changes in script reflect China's history, culture, and aesthetic concepts.
4. Wuxia Novels:
   Wuxia novels, or "martial arts novels," are a unique Chinese literary genre centered on the virtue of chivalry combined with exceptional martial arts skills. Works by authors such as Jin Yong are highly popular, shaping the image of heroic figures that embody traditional Chinese values.
5. Contemporary Literature and Film:
   Contemporary Chinese literature and cinema offer impressions and portrayals of modern life, personal development, and social transformation. Filmmakers such as Zhang Yimou and Hou Hsiao-hsien have gained international recognition for their exploration of human nature and societal changes.
6. Chinese Calligraphy:
   Calligraphy is not only an art of writing but also a method of self-cultivation. Through strokes, structure, and style, the personality, emotions, and thoughts of the writer are expressed. Calligraphy is a significant part of traditional Chinese culture.
7. The Tea Ceremony Experience:
   The Chinese tea ceremony emphasizes harmony, tranquility, and the beauty of nature. Tea drinking is not just a sensory experience but also a spiritual practice, expressing a highly valued way of life in the Sinic cultural sphere that strives for simplicity and peace.

Materials and explanations will be provided, with students supported in their reading and reception and encouraged to participate in discussions.

Semester reports

The instructors will provide relevant materials, including classical and modern Chinese literature, films, newspaper articles, and comics.