UNDERSTANDING CHINESE CULTURE

INT 301 Engaging The World

OUTLINE

Syllabus The Instructor: Martin in 10 words The Students: 1-minute introductions Divide into two-person teams

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Through an exploration of global issues, students will examine the interconnectedness of a global society, while learning to respect the diversity of international voices on contemporary issues. The role and impact of global citizenry will be examined through the works of writers, thinkers, artists, and scholars representing the four domains of natural science, social science, humanities, and the arts. Substantial attention will be given to the practical skills of written, verbal and visual communications.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language, by Deborah Fallows

The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently...and Why, by Richard E. Nisbett

China in Ten Words, by Yu Hua Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time

in China by Peter Hessler

COURSE STRUCTURE

Lectures Guest speakers invited

In-class practice and media sessions Out-of-class activities

Plunkett lectures Local Chinese community events, field trip,

etc Student-led discussions Final project and presentation

ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION

Journal/blog Response papers In-class discussions Participation

CLASS PLAN AND SCHEDULE

Language and arts History: selected periods Literature/poetry: major styles Major schools of thought Changing society and contemporary

topics

Martin In Ten Words: My M&M’s

密云 (MiYun, remote suburb

of Beijing, spent childhood there) 力学 (Mechanics, majored

in Solid Mechanics at USTC, and worked for Inst of Mech/Chinese

Acad. of Sciences for 5 years) 美国 (MeiGuo = America

the beautiful, pursued PhD,

and now naturalized) 建模 (JianMo = Modeling,

majored in CAM [Computational Analysis & Modeling] and took

data modeling as a career)

梦亭 (MengTing = dream-pavilion my style name 字 became my

American name ) Martin Mercer Macon Millrun Court 美术 (MeiShu = arts, I like

to practice calligraphy, and

even paint when I have time)

HOMETOWN ATTRACTIONS

CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY

THE STUDENTS: 1-MINUTE INTRO

Name, hometown, etc Major, year to graduate Career plan or personal hobbies as

related to a good understanding of China

Knowledge (language/art/etc) and/or travel experience about China, and the world

Things you want to learn in this course (one from the history and one contemporary)

CLASS ROSTER

DIVIDING INTO PAIRS

Give each other a Chinese or American name