Discovering Contemporary China Through Documentary Films

(4 Credits)

This course is a 4-credit post-advanced course open to students who have completed Advanced Chinese II or the equivalent. This course is designed to increase oral and written proficiency, with a focus on relevant vocabulary and grammatical structures used to discuss contemporary issues, through the exploration of documentary film. Through in-class discussions and debates, film transcriptions, as well as external field trips and community-engaged projects, the course will enhance students’ understanding about the latest and most pressing social issues in contemporary China through a series of insightful and in-depth Chinese documentaries as case studies, as well as meaningful interactions in the target language. The course intends to provide a multi-dimensional learning experience where students use language in context to understand and explore contemporary issues. Prerequisite: Advanced Chinese II or place out of Advanced Chinese 2. Fulfillment: Core Curriculum Language; Chinese Minor and the Chinese Language and Literature Minor.