Page 74 - HKSYU Prospectus 2023-24
P. 74

Shue Yan University Prospectus 2023-24

          CHI 465    Life and Thought among the Wei-Jin Literati
                                                                            1 Term; 3 Credits
              This course aims at introducing to students the special historical background surrounding
          the Wei-Jin literati. Their social activities, literary and artistic works, and metaphysical thoughts
          (xuanxue) will also be investigated. The dynasties of Wei (220-265 AD) and Jin (266-420 AD)
          were  a  remarkable  ancient  Chinese  epoch  highly  developed  in  the  economy,  culture,
          philosophy, and art. This course is to help students understand the brilliant achievements of
          this  particular  period  in  the  history  of  ancient  Chinese  thought  and  art,  as  well  as  its
          indispensable role as a bridge to open up the subsequent dynasties.

          CHI 468    Li Bai and Du Fu's Poetry
                                                                            1 Term; 3 Credits
              This course aims at an in-depth study of the most important poets in the Tang dynasty,
          Li Bai (  李白  ) and Du Fu (  杜甫  ). It focuses on selected poetry of Li Bai and Du Fu in various
          genres  and  forms,  including  “old  style  poetry”  (gushi)  and  “new  pattern  poems”  (jintishi).
          Students would learn to appreciate and analyse different types and styles of their poetry. They
          will also study the relationship between the two poets. As the course enables a comparative
          study  of  the  two  poets,  students’  analytical  and  criticizing  skills  will  be  strengthened  upon
          completion of the course.

          CHI 470    Shuowen Jiezi (  說文解字  )
                                                                            1 Term; 3 Credits
              Shuowen Jiezi is a significant piece of work on the studies of explanation of words in
          ancient  books,  etymological  development,  concordant  rhythm,  historical  relics  and  social
          systems. This course aims to provide an opportunity for students to understand Shuowen Jiezi
          in depth by reading carefully the annotations of Shuowen Jiezi made by Duan Yucai (  段玉
          裁  ), to acquire the rules and explanatory ways of analysis of characters presented by Xu Shen
          (  許  慎    )  in  his  master-piece,  to  familiarize  with  the  structure  of  Chinese  characters,  to
          understand  the  historical  development  of  the  forms,  sounds,  and  meanings  of  Chinese
          characters, to cultivate their abilities to identify and write characters in the style of Xiaozhuan
          (  小  篆    ),  to  apply  their  knowledge  of  Shuowen  Jiezi  to  the  studies  of  history,  literature,
          linguistics and etymology, and to enhance their abilities to study and analyse ancient literatures
          and Chinese characters.

          CHI 473    Studies in Cantonese
                                                                            1 Term; 3 Credits
              Cantonese  is  one  of  the  main  languages  widely  used  in  Hong  Kong.  The  course  is
          designed to  introduce students  to the knowledge of  Cantonese, covering four  main topics:
          phonetics, etymology, lexicology and grammar of Cantonese. This course will help students
          understand the contrast and connection of Cantonese with Putonghua. This course will also
          provide  students  with  the  knowledge  of  Cantonese  necessary  to  develop  their  careers  in


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