KSCB708 Understanding Chinese Political Rhetoric: A Cross-Strait Perspective

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2017
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
doc. Wei-lun Lu, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Lucie Olivová, MA, Ph.D., DSc.
Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: doc. Wei-lun Lu, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 10:50–12:25 U12
Prerequisites
TYP_STUDIA(N)
Basic reading command of Mandarin (both simplified and traditional).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to give students a basic understanding of the nature of Chinese political rhetoric through a deep linguistic and discourse analysis. In this course we pay special attention to the semantic and structural aspects of the Chinese language and how that contributes to the persuasive effect in Chinese political communication. Students are encouraged to use in their final project speeches or written works by representative politicians in the region, such as Chiang Kai-shek, Lee Teng-hui, Mao Zedong, Xi Jinping, among numerous others.
Syllabus
  • Week 1: Course overview. Week 2: The general characteristics of political rhetoric (Charteris-Black 2005, Chapter 1). Week 3: Political influence on Chinese society (attend KSCB709 lecture). Week 4: Metaphor and thought (Charteris-Black, Chapter 2; Link p.113-135). Week 5: Charteris Black 2007 Ch.1. Week 6: Gaudeamus Education Fair (one week off). Week 7: Metaphor and thought cont.; Common metaphors in Mandarin and in English (Link, p.183-197) + individual choice of politicians. Week 8: Mid-term presentations; Mandarin-specific metaphors (Link, p.198-208). Week 9: Mid-term presentations (cont.); Rhythm in Mandarin (Link, p.21-39). Week 10: Rhythm, structure and meaning making in Mandarin (Link, p.68-81); The characteristics of the official language (Link, p.243-277). Week 11: Xi Jingping's Chinese Dream rhetoric (https://is.muni.cz/auth/th/397561/ff_b/sebok_bakalarska_praca.pdf); Final presentations. Week 12: Final presentations (cont.).
Teaching methods
A combination of lectures and class discussion. The course is taught in English, with Mandarin as the secondary working language, if need be.
Assessment methods
- Punctual attendance expected, with 1 excused absence tolerated. - An oral presentation of one piece of reading material is required (using PPT). - Mid-term and final oral presentation of own’s project. - Submission of final paper (ca. 5 pages) encouraged for BA, required for MA. Due 15 January 2018.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2017/KSCB708