CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Fall 2025 Course Offerings

CHNS 101---Chinese Level I         TBD
(4 credits; MWF 9:30, 10:30 TTh 9:30, 10:30)
A comprehensive course in elementary Mandarin, designed to develop basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Systematic coverage of syntactical patterns. After oral foundation work, 20 characters are introduced each lesson in unsimplified and simplified forms.

CHNS 201--- Chinese Level III         TBD 
(4 credits; MWF 10:30-11:20 )
A course in intermediate Mandarin, with integrated spoken and written tracks emphasizing the cultural contexts of usage. Mastery of more advanced syntactic patterns, with enriched vocabulary. Character recognition built to 800. Introduction to Chinese dictionaries.

CHNS 241 --- Intro to Study Chinese Literature              Li Wei
(3 credits; TTh 1:30-2:45pm)
Class reading and discussion of selected Chinese poetry, prose, and drama; introduction to the methods of literary criticism, applied to the reading of Chinese literary discourse. Texts, discussion, and written assignments primarily in Chinese. Permission of instructor required.

CHNS 281 --- Intro to Chinese Food Culture                      Ai-Jen Wann
(3 credits, TMWF 2:30- 3:20)
 Selected topics on Chinese food history, production, preparation, festivals, as well as food in literature, film, business and folk beliefs. Discussion will also include civilization and food as cultural diplomacy. Lectures in English.

CHNS 285 --- Chinese Calligraphy                 Ai-Jenn Wann
(3 credits, W 4:30-6:20pm)
Principles and techniques of writing Chinese characters. The aesthetics of Chinese calligraphy, its function as an art form, and its role in Chinese culture. Emphasis on training and practice in calligraphic writing. Conducted in English. 

CHNS 301 --- Chinese Level V         Lijing Ye 
(3 credits;  MWF 12:30-1:20pm)
Continued development of Chinese speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities, using materials dealing primarily with everyday life and civilization from a variety of sources, e.g., newspapers, magazines, television, recent literature, etc. 

CHNS 313 Reading and Writing      Lijing Ye
(3 credits; MWF 1:30-2:20pm)
Concentration on further development of reading and writing abilities for students with conversational proficiency, using materials primarily from modern social and cultural studies, including annotated literary texts. Conducted in Chinese.

CHNS 342--- Chinese Literature II: Modern Literature            Hongjian Wang Route
(3 credits; three hrs/week MWF 1:30-2:20pm)
Study of selected poetry, drama, and fiction from the twentieth century. Students will read and discuss major authors and texts and will write critical essays on literary topics. Texts, discussion, and written assignments are largely in Chinese.

CHNS 401--- Chinese Level VII          Hongjian Wang Route
(3 credits; MWF 2:30-3:20)
Continued development of Mandarin Chinese speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Emphasis will be upon modern, everyday language and culture (with some introduction to traditional culture) using various sources such as textbooks, newspapers, and literary works.

CHNS 594 --- Special Topics in Chinese Literature: Strange Writings       Li Wei
(3 credits; TTh 12:00-1:15pm)

 

For more information, please contact Professor Wei Hong (SC 182; 43859; hongwei@purdue.edu); Professor Daniel Hsieh (SC161; dhsieh@purdue.edu) Professor Hongjian Wang (SC 261; wang2512@purdue.edu); Ai-jen Wann (SC 063; 66222; awann@purdue.edu), Dr. Alice Wang (SC 063; 66222; wanga@purdue.edu)

Check out our webpage: http://www.cla.purdue.edu/slc/chinese/