Page 74 - HKSYU Prospectus 2023-24

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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