KSCA002 Chinese Characters

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Terézia Hegerová (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Zuzana Pospěchová, Ph.D. (alternate examiner)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Zuzana Pospěchová, Ph.D.
Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Terézia Hegerová
Supplier department: Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable of Seminar Groups
KSCA002/01: Mon 19. 10. to Sun 17. 1. each odd Thursday 18:00–19:40 VP, T. Hegerová
KSCA002/02: Mon 19. 10. to Sun 17. 1. each odd Wednesday 18:00–19:40 VP, T. Hegerová
KSCA002/03: Mon 19. 10. to Sun 17. 1. each odd Tuesday 18:00–19:40 VP, T. Hegerová
KSCA002/04: Mon 26. 10. to Sun 17. 1. each even Tuesday 18:00–19:40 VP, T. Hegerová
KSCA002/05: Mon 26. 10. to Sun 17. 1. each even Wednesday 18:00–19:40 VP, T. Hegerová
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course gives basic information regarding the study of the Chinese writing system. It concentrates on the practise of writing Chinese characters. The theoretical part puts emphasis on the structural analysis of Chinese characters, its internal composition and divisions of Chinese characters according to graphical typology. Some examples are given to show the historical aspect of evolution of the Chinese characters. The practical part concentrates on the skill of correct writing and decomposing of characters with exercises and homework. The course is the first step into the study of writing i.e. into Chinese grammatology.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to:
- understand theoretically basic information about the Chinese writing, to activate a grapfhical analysis and relevant terminology;
- apply the rules how to write correctly Chinese characters;
- identify respective graphical components
- work with Chinese dictionaries and type characters using a computer
Syllabus
  • 1) General Introduction. Basic characteristics of Chinese characters. Elementary terms and concepts.
  • 2) Basic strokes and their variations. Stroke order and directions.
  • 3) Structural types of Chinese characters.
  • 4) Introduction to selected radicals (1-5) and characters.
  • 5) Introduction to selected radicals (50-100) and characters.
  • 6) Introduction to selected radicals (100-150) and characters.
  • 7) Introduction to selected radicals (150-) and characters.
  • 8) Traditional and simplified characters - main principles (also continuously)
  • 9) Development of Chinese writing (also continuously)
  • 10) Conclusion
Literature
    recommended literature
  • ZÁDRAPA, Lukáš; PEJČOCHOVÁ, Michaela. Čínské písmo. Vyd. 1. Praha : Academia, 2009.
  • DEFRANCIS, John. The Chinese language : fact and fantasy. Paperback edition. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1986, x, 330. ISBN 0824808665. info
Teaching methods
Practical writing exercises, homework for each week consisting of rewriting characters given in the workbook, documents in Moodle.
Assessment methods
A. The emphasis is put on weekly homework which must be submitted regularly during the semester. B. Written test consists of several theoretical questions about the Chinese writing; minimum pass level is 75%. The theoretical test is based on lectures.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Posluchači Kulturních studií Číny povinně zapisují v 1. semestru studia.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Zápis mimo Čínská studia je podmíněn souhlasem vyučujících.
Information about innovation of course.
This course has been innovated under the project "Faculty of Arts as Centre of Excellence in Education: Complex Innovation of Study Programmes and Fields at FF MU with Regard to the Requirements of the Knowledge Economy“ – Reg. No. CZ.1.07/2.2.00/28.0228, which is cofinanced by the European Social Fond and the national budget of the Czech Republic.

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The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2020/KSCA002