Chinese at Kenyon

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Program Description Courses of the Program Study Abroad Chinese Table
Film Showings Teaching in China Student Organizations Student and Faculty


Program Description

The Chinese program at Kenyon offers courses that develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. The Chinese language courses consists of four levels: beginning, intermediate, advanced and independent studies. The beginning courses are taught through the Kenyon Intensive Language Model (KILM), an intensive approach that compresses into one year the beginning and intermediate language taught in the more traditional manner. Formal instruction is combined with drill sessions and extra-curricular activities in the effort both to improve the students' language skills and to increase their understanding of Chinese culture. Drill sessions are conducted by trained Native Chinese assistants and advanced students. Students also spend time practice in the language lab. Examples of extra- curricular activities are the film series and the weekly Chinese Tables, where students and faculty have their dinner together. With the assistance of Kenyon's Off-campus Study Program (OCS) we help our students to select the best option from among the many approved programs and universities available in China. Most of our students spend one or two semesters in China.
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Courses
CHNS 111-112 Intensive Introductory Modern Chinese (Click to see the webpage)
This is the basic introductory language course in Modern Standard Chinese (Putonghua). This course will develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. In the first semester, the pronunciation and some basic grammar will be taught. The bulk of in-class work will be devoted to developing oral and aural skills. There will also be an introduction to the Chinese writing system. By the end of the first semester, approximately 200 Chinese characters will have been introduced. The second semester is a continuation of the first semester. By the end of the second semester, most of the basic grammar will have been introduced, as will another 250 Chinese characters. Class meetings range from ten hours per week in the first semester to eight hours per week in the second. There will be required Language Practice Room work. Threequarters unit of credit will be awarded for completion of CHNS 12 alone. Enrollment limited to twenty.

CHNS 213-214 Intermediate Modern Chinese

This course is a continuation of CHNS 11-12. By the end of the first semester, all the basic grammar of Modern Standard Chinese (Putonghua) and another 300 Chinese characters will have been introduced. There will be extensive oral and written assignments. In the second semester, there will be a review of the basic grammar through in-class oral work and an introduction to the elements of Modern Written Chinese grammar. Approximately 300 more Chinese characters will be introduced. Students will also learn how to use dictionaries and will read unedited Modern Chinese texts. In both semesters, there will be required Language Practice Room work and two discussion sections per week with an apprentice teacher. Prerequisite: CHNS 11-12 or equivalent.

CHNS 321 Advanced Chinese I: Click to see the web page of this course.

   This course integrates the use of the teleconferencing facility, the multimedia CD and web-based technology and is available for both Kenyon and Denison students. The course is an upper-level course for students who wish to develop and refine their ability to understand, speak, read, and write Modern Standard Chinese. Reading materials include writings on aspects of Chinese culture and which will serve as points of departure for discussion and composition. Video materials will also be used for this purpose. Reading and writing assignments will emphasize use of both simplified and traditional or "complex" forms of Chinese characters. This course is recommended for students wishing to specialize in any field related to China. Prerequisite: Intermediate Chinese or equivalent or permission of instructor.

CHNS 322 Advanced Chinese II: Click to see the web page of this course

This course is an upper-level course for students who wish to develop and refine their ability to understand, speak, read, and write Modern Standard Chinese. Reading materials include writings on Chinese culture, modern short stories, and newspaper articles, which will serve as points of departure for discussion and composition. Video materials will also be used for this purpose. Reading and writing assignments will emphasize use of both simplified and traditional or "complex" forms of Chinese characters. This course is recommended for students wishing to specialize in any field related to China. The course may be repeated with credit. Prerequisite: CHNS 321 or equivalent or permission of instructor.

CHNS 324 Modern China Through Film and Fiction: Click here to see the webpage

This seminar will explore 20th century China through its cinematic and literary representation by Chinese who lived through or
reflected back on the tumultuous and tragic events of their revolutionary history. Background readings and documentaries will
provide basic historical narrative; class discussions will focus on Chinese representations of cultural, social, and political change
in fiction and movies. We will divide the century into  three basic periods, and look at the May Fourth and Republican era
(1919-1949), the Maoist era (1949-1978), and the Reform era (1979-present), with prominent films and short literary or
performative works (fiction, memoir, drama, etc.) keyed to each era. We will also introduce some critical readings that address
issues of gender & youth, the family, ethnicity, modernity & the nation, visuality and memory.

CHNS 93 Independent Study

Students who have completed three years or more of Chinese language may be eligible to conduct independent study in Chinese language and literature. Topics will be arranged in consultation with the instructor and may include readings in Chinese literature (short stories, essays, etc.) or advanced conversation (Kouyu). Credit earned will vary depending upon the topic.
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Study Abroad in China

During junior year, most Chinese majors study in China for one semester or one academic year. The programs available are:

Associated Colleges in China--Language Culture and Society

Summer, fall, summer and fall or fall and spring. At least one year of Chinese language study is required. Courses offered are for intermediate and advanced students only. The program focuses on individualized instruction with a high level of participation and interaction. Students also take two hours a week of language practicum, which includes out-of-classroom assigned projects in which participants use their Chinese with local citizens. The format ranges from on-site visits and information gathering to interviews, oral presentations, news reports, and debates. All students are housed in the foreign students dormitory. For more information click here to go to their web-site.


IUP in Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

Also known as the Stanford Center previously, this is a highly individualized and well organized program for both undergraduate and graduate students of Chinese. For more information click here to go to their web-site.


CET in Beijing and Ha-er-bin and Nanjing

The Beijing branch offers all levels, whereas the Ha-er-bin branch offers third year and above. They may start a new summer program in Nanjing with Johns Hopkins University. All the branches are supervised by advising faculty from the United States. For more information click here to go to their web-site.

Middlebury Chinese School

Middlebury Chinese Summer School is also one of the best summer programs for learning Chinese in an intensicve and total immertion environment.

Middlebury in Hangzhou, China


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Chinese Table
Teachers and students of Chinese have lunch together at Upper Dempsey from 5:30 to 6:30 every Thursday.


Teaching in China

Teaching English in Liaoning Province. "In order to promote internationally the education in the region, the Educational Department of Liaoning Province (EDLP) decided to attract at least 500 overseas teachers to put English teaching into practice, thus popularizing English in the schools all over Liaoning Province. " For more information visit: http://www.teach-in-china.cn

The Sino-British Cooperation for Higher National Diploma (HND) programme between Soochow University and Beijing Oriental International Education
(China) is urgently looking for native English speakers for teaching position in top Chinese universities. The courses of oral English, writing, and reading are to begin teaching this October (2004). The courses of international finance and international business are for the academic year
of September 2005 to July 2006. For more information, contact: Teaching Affairs Office, Beijing Oriental International Education (China) Email: jx@csc.edu.cn Phone: 010-62200323(O), 010-62204218(fax). Website: www.ukhnd.cn

"China Education Exchange (CEX) was established with the mission to send ESL teachers and related educational / government / enterprise experts and interns to China." For more information visit http://www.chinaeducationexchange.org

China Teaching Program. We place foreign teachers at various schools and universities throughout the People's Republic of China and provide pre-departure training at Western Washington University. For more information visit: http://www.ac.wwu.edu/%7Ectp/main.html

More. http://www.asiacouncil.org/index.html or http://hua.umf.maine.edu/China/chintech.html



TEACH ENGLISH IN CHINA-Starting March 2002

IEF Education Foundation, a non-profit international education organization, is currently recruiting over 50 teachers to teach English in China. Current openings are in such cities as Kunming, Dalian, Shanghai, Beijing and Qingdao. This is a great opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of this fascinating country. By teaching English, you will have the chance to get to know the culture and people first hand.

The teaching positions available will vary from city to city. However, each position will be at an accredited school or language institute and all will offer similar benefits. The majority of assignments are six to 12 months in length.

To qualify for a teaching position one must meet the following requirements:
Be a native English speaker. Possess at least an Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Be able to give at least a six-month commitment
Be interested in promoting intercultural understanding.  Have experience in teaching ESL and/or TEFL (preferred, but not required).

As a teacher you can expect to receive the following benefits:
Monthly minimum salary of 3,500 RMB
On-Campus housing and insurance
Round-trip airfare after completion of a 12-month assignment; one-way
after completion of six-month assignment
Most of the meals provided
Travel allowance (for those committed to 1 year or more)

Please note that the benefit package may differ from school to school.
To apply for a teaching position, please complete our on-line English
Teacher application form at www.uscampus.com and send your resume indicating
the reference code 1226ACT through:

E-mail: teachers@ief-usa.org

Fax: (626) 965-1675

Mailing Address:IEF Education Foundation
English Teacher Placement
18605 E. Gale Avenue Suite 230
City of Industry, CA 91748, USA

Once the complete application is received, we will process your application.
If you are qualified, you will be contacted. Thank you for your interest
in teaching English in China.

For more information please contact:

IEF EDUCATION FOUNDATION
18605 E. Gale Avenue Suite 230
City of Industry, CA 91748
Tel: (626) 965-1995
Fax: (626) 965-1675
E-mail: teachers@ief-usa.org
http://www.ief-usa.org


CIEE

Where will you be placed?Assigments are all over China, in cities and rural areas. Council will inform you of the anticipated location of your assignment in April. Program applicants agree to serve in their assigned area. CIEE will try, but can not guarantee, to meet specific requests, particularly for those interested in rural assignments.

What will your job be? You will be in charge in the classroom, and it might be challenging. It will require some adjustment at first, but with enthusiasm and flexibility, you should soon establish yourself. You need self-confidence and the ability to project your voice and personality. The students are very eager to converse with native-English speakers. Some may have already studied a little English. Coulcil will provode you with a curriculum for teaching, and instruct you on its use.

What will happen in the training program? For many apllicants, this will be absolutely essential. Without appropriate preparation, you and your students would suffer. Council will work you to develop and improve your teaching skills. This will not be required for experienced teachers or those with an MA in TESL, but it is required of anyone without significant teaching experience.

Where can I get information?Call CIEE toll-free number 1-888-COUNCIL for further information.
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Schedule for Film Showings (spring semester)

Time and Place: TBA
Click here to see the list of MLL Chinese film collection.

1. Shadow Magic (Xiyang Jing) 2000
Directed by Hu An, this historical comedy tells when and how film making was introduced to China at the beginning of the 20th century.

2. To Live (Huozhe) 1994
Directed by Zhang Yimou, To Live follows a contemporary family across the turbulent face of modern China, from the Japanese invasion through Mao's Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. 132 min. This might be a good film to start the course since it covers almost the entire time period that we want to discuss. English Sub. MLL and Olin 950368.

3. Family (Jia)  1956
Directed by Chen Xihe & Ye Ming. Through the bitter experiences of the three brothers, the family contradictions , changes and finally declines, this film has vividly depicted the life of a wealthy family in the early years of Shanghai.  MLL

4. New Year Sacrifice (Zhufu)  1959
Directed by Sang Hu, New Year Sacrifice tells a tragic story on the life of a mid-aged village woman who was widowed twice and whose last hope was shattered by the news that her son was torn apart by a group of wolves.  MLL

5. A Girl from Hunan  (Xiang Nu Xiaoxiao) 1986
Directed by  Xie Fei and Wu Lan, A Girl From Hunan  is about a poor girl's miserable life as a child bride (at the turn of the century) and her happiness and bitterness in life as she falls in love with a young man. 99 min. English Sub.  Olin 920005

6. Crows and Sparrows  (Wuya yu Maque) 1949
Directed by Zheng Junyi, regarded as "a milestone in Chinese film history," this pre-revolution film (1949) portrays a group of characters, accurately representing various types among the working people in the lower social strata in 1949. 111 min. English Sub available.

7. Two Stage Sisters (Wutai Jiemei) 1965.
Directed by Xie Jin, this film contrasts the lives of two actresses, one who seeks happiness and fulfilment through family life, and the other through political activism. You probably can guess who will be happier.

8. Hibiscus Town (Furong Zhen) 1986
Directed by Xie Jin. During the "cultural revolution", Hibiscus Town is filled with darkness and terror. Hu Yuyin, a diligent country woman, is sentenced to sweep the streets every day together with the "Rightist" Qin Shutian. They helped each other and gradually fall in love. They got married, but misfortunes never come singly. 143 min. MLL

9. Sacrificed Youth (Qingchun Ji) 1985
A story of a youth sent to live with the Miao people in southern China. The Cha1-dui4-luo4-hu4 experience during the cultural revolution. English Sub. Olin 900080

10. WOMEN'S STORY (Nuren de Gushi)1988
Directed by Peng Xiaolian, the plight of Chinese women seen from their point of view in this poignant tale of three peasant women who flee their village to taste freedom in the big city and escape the sexist oppression of rural China. 96 min. MLL
(Economy reform and social change in recent China)

11. Black Canon Incident" (Heipao Shijian), dir Huang Jianxin, 1985

12. Shower (Xizao) 1999
Directed by Zhang Yuan, one of the sixth generations of Chinese directors, The old and new worlds collide in this charming tale of a family divided, then brought together by a traditional bathhouse. The successful, career-minded son of the bathhouse's owner first sees the establishment as outdated, but as he spends more time with his family and friends, and as the threat of its destruction draws near, he begins to see its worth. "...a delicate, lyrical case for the importance of holding on to small traditions" (Desson Howe, Washington Post).

13. EAT, DRINK, MAN, WOMAN (Yinshi Nannu) 1994
Directed by Ang Lee, this film tells a story about  Master Chef Chu who attempts to maintain family unity with ritual Sunday dinners as he comes to terms with his three daughters' growing independence. 104 min. Olin

More Recently-released Good Films:
Rouge 1987
Directed by Stanley Kwan (Hong Kong)
The popular singers/actors Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung are paired in this supernatural love story which alternates between the brothels, theaters and opium dens of Hong Kong in the Thirties, and the cool, detached world of the present day. The ghost of a courtesan appeals to a young journalist to help her find her lost lover who recovered from their joint suicide attempt and thus failed to join her in the spirit world. Cantonese with English. 99 min.
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