Page 70 - SYU Prospectus

Shue Yan University Prospectus 2018-19

FACULTY OF ARTS

Department of Chinese Language and Literature

Aims and Objectives
The Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Chinese Language and Literature programme empha-
sizes cultivation of students’ virtues, enabling them to acquire profound knowledge in classical
studies, Chinese literature, Chinese language, and literary theories; to achieve higher level of
writing; and to develop creativity, critical thinking and the ability of self-learning. Thus, after
completing this programme, students can apply the knowledge they have learnt to teaching
Chinese, secretarial works in government and private organizations, various literary and
artistic works, as well as to further studies in postgraduate programmes.

Characteristics of the Programme
1. Traditional Chinese Culture
Inheriting and carrying forward Chinese culture occupies an important position in the Chinese
programme. Thus, the programme offers various courses such as Guided Readings of the
Chinese Classics, Study of Philosophical Thoughts in Pre-Qin Period, Confucian Philosophy
of Song and Ming Dynasties, etc. In many significant aspects, ideas and outlook on values
raised by traditional Chinese culture, which are different from those of western culture, are the
guiding ideologies for the world’s harmonious development and sharing prosperity in modern
time with wide applicability.

2. Chinese Literature and Chinese Language
The Chinese programme includes systematic courses of Chinese literature and Chinese
language. The former includes History of Chinese Literature, Shi Jing, Chu Ci, Modern
Chinese Literature, Contemporary Chinese Literature, etc. The latter comprises General
Linguistics, Chinese Etymology, Chinese Phonology, etc. Students can acquire a wide scope
of knowledge. The programme also offers Chinese Literary Criticism, Introduction to Literary
Theory, Western Literary Theory in the Twentieth Century, etc from which students can obtain
knowledge of both Chinese literary criticism and western literary theories.

3. Integration between Research and Creation
The Chinese programme not only allows students to build up their research abilities on
literature, language and literary theories, but also emphasizes creative practices and writing.
The programme offers Chinese Poetry, Selected Readings in Chinese Ci, Pian Wen, and
Literary Appreciation and Creative Writing, etc. The above courses all provide opportunities
for students to practise various types of writings.

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