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Advanced Readings in Classical Chinese

Vak
2025-2026

Admission requirements

Admission to the MA Asian Studies (60 EC, 120 EC or Research).
Sufficient familiarity with classical Chinese (i.e., having passed the BA3 course “Classical Chinese III” or the equivalent). If in doubt, get in touch with the instructor prior to registration.

Description

This course is designed for MA students who have successfully completed their studies of classical Chinese at BA3 level. It introduces students to non-scriptural texts from Buddhist, Daoist, and popular religious traditions, focusing on accounts of the strange, extraordinary, and supernatural. In addition to translation skills, students will learn how to analyze narrative strategies that have shaped discourses of transcendence.

Course objectives

  • good command of reading (development of speed and strategy) in wenyan and early baihua

  • ability to read and digest large amounts of text on religious topics

  • mastery of important religious terminologies and concepts

  • advanced use of dictionaries, reference tools, and other relevant sources

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Attendance is compulsory for all sessions. You must prepare well and contribute to in-class discussion. Absence without notification may result in lower grades or exclusion from assessment components and a failing grade for the course.

Assessment method

Assessment

Class participation and assignments: 40%
Final essay: 60%

To pass the course, you need to fulfill all requirements (participation, assignments, final essay) and receive a weighted final mark of 5.50 or higher.
All categories of assessment must be completed in the same academic year. No partial mark can be carried over into following years.

Resit

Resit is only possible for the final essay, if the weighted final mark is 5.49 or lower and this is the result of the final paper marked 5.49 or lower.

A re-sit for other course components is not possible.

Inspection and feedback

Feedback will be supplied in person and through Brightspace. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the final assessment results, a review will be organized.

Reading list

TBA on Brightspace.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Herta Mohr

Remarks