67053 - Chinese Language 2 B

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have achieved and completed requirements for intermediate-level Chinese language skills. They will be able to explore Chinese literature and its associated issues, referring to the most up-to-date bibliographic sources.

Course contents

The course is in continuity with the Chinese 2A program (Academic Year 2023-2024) and lasts 30 hours, distributed over 5 weeks. Each week we will analyse and translate a different type of text (narrative, journalistic, scientific). These texts align with the HSK3 language proficiency level.
The goal is to identify key terms and phrases useful for learning academic language.

Weekly Topics:

• Week 1: The ethnic composition of China: Fei Xiaotong and the definition of duoyuan yiti
• Week 2: Cultural heritage in China: more than just the Great Wall
• Week 3: Demographic trends in China after Deng's reforms: an arrow shot too far?
• Week 4: Chinese medicine and Western medicine: a possible meeting point?
• Week 5: Review and metalinguistic reflections. group work

Grammar Program

-Verb constructions (degree complement; result complement; simple and compound directional complement; potential complement)

- Special verb constructions with 起来 (qilai)
- Causative verb sentences: 请 (qing), 让 (rang), 叫 (jiao), 使 (shi)
- The particle 着 (zhe)
- Sentences with 把 (ba) and 将 (jiang)

- Counting with large numbers
- Fractions (fenzhi)
- 除了....以外 (之外) (chule... yiwai)
- Passive sentences with 被 (bei) and 所 (suo)
- Identifying word groups with suffixes 场 (chang), 所 (suo), 化 (hua), 性 (xing), 代 (dai)

Readings/Bibliography

Required texts for attending and non-attending students

Romagnoli, C., Grammatica cinese: le parole vuote del cinese moderno, Hoepli, 2012

Romagnoli, Wong, Grammatica d'uso della lingua cinese. Teoria ed esercizi, Hoepli, 2016

Reference Texts:
Madaro, F., La frase: lingua cinese moderna standard: la frase semplice, il periodo composto, il periodo complesso, Cafoscarina, 2016
Pozzi, S., Il carattere e la lettera, Hoepli, 2022
Fisac, Moratto, Fundamental Structures of the Chinese Language: Topic-comment and other key structures, Routledge, 2024

The excerpts addressed in class are taken from original scientific articles written in the 2020/2025 period, adapted and taught by the lecturer. They are available on the Virtual platform, and will be uploaded on a weekly basis 

 

Foreign students may contact the lecturer for an alternative reading list in English.

Teaching methods

Classes will be held in person, and attendance is highly recommended. Lectures will focus on comprehension, translation, and grammatical and linguistic structures, including word formation and compounds. Printed dictionaries will also be used.

Assessment methods

At the end of the course, both attending and non-attending students must take a two-hour written exam, which will be a grammar-translation test based on all readings covered in class. The exam will also include a comprehension test of an unfamiliar text, with the help of a dictionary.

Students who pass the written exam will be admitted to the oral exam, which will cover:

• Discussion of the written exam, with a focus on grammar and text analysis
• Three questions on one of the topics from the various modules (with individual research)

MA students (LM) and non-attending students must also submit a written report on one of the course topics and a portfolio with all translations and glossaries of the texts discussed in class.

Students are considered to be attending if they participate in at least 75% of the classes. The oral exam will last about 20 minutes.

 

Learning Assessment Criteria

 
The linguistic proficiency achieved in reading, translation, and grammatical analysis will be evaluated. For theoretical knowledge acquired through individual study, the following will be assessed:

• Mastery of content
• Ability to summarize and analyze topics and concepts
• Ability to express one's self adequately and using subject-appropriate language

Students who achieve a comprehensive understanding of the course topics and demonstrate critical thinking, good expressive ability, and mastery of specific language will be awarded top marks (27-30).

Good marks will be awarded if the student exhibits a purely mnemonic knowledge of the subject, along with the ability to summarize and analyze in a correct, though not always appropriate, language (22-26).

Knowledge gaps or inappropriate language – even in a minimal context – will lead to a passing grade (18-21).

Significant knowledge gaps, inappropriate language, and lack of familiarity with the bibliographic materials provided during the course will be assessed negatively.

 

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students.

Teaching tools

Textbook, ppt, audiovisual matters.

Websites and apps, dictionaries

Office hours

See the website of Sabrina Ardizzoni