The Immortal Classical Chinese Poetry season 2 from Udemy

Hello everyone, the season 2 of “The Immortal Classical Chinese poetry: Learn Chinese language and Culture series” is launched. Like its predecessor season 1, this course will allow you to learn a wide range of Chinese language (such as language describing Nature, emotion, basic topics of human existence) by learning the breath-taking, immortal beauty of the original works of other most famous classical Chinese poets beyond Li Po, Wang Wei and Tu Fu, including Tang Dynasty poets such as the landscape poet Meng Haoran, the defiant poet ghost Li Ho, Li Shangyin, the obscure poet of passion and renunciation, Tao Yuanming and Han-shan Te-Ching, two renowned Taoist hermit poets in Jin and Ming Dynasty. These two seasons of Immortal Classical Chinese poetry will give you a comprehensive as well as in-depth picture of the most famous classical Chinese poets, especially the poets in the Tang Dynasty, the Golden Age of China as well as classical Chinese poetry.

More than any other countries, classical Chinese poetry is given the most prominent and exalted status, which not only shapes Chinese language, literature, arts, philosophy and religion, but also Chinese history and politics. Chinese scholar-officials are invariably good poets who had passed Civic Entrance Exams with good grades and became high officials by composing excellent poetry and to a lesser extent, great essays. Moreover, the language of classical Chinese poetry is surprisingly similar to modern Chinese language, therefore it is very adaptable to the language use in daily life. To the very few vocabularies that changes their usage in time, the course will explain carefully and provide the modern equivalent.

Each poem is taught in three lectures: the first lecture teaches the language of the poem. Vocabulary lists are provided and taught to recite and to use in modern situation, the literal meaning of each poetic line is explained in great detail, and each poetic line is led to recite and memorize, because the vocabulary lists include vocabularies from the most basic to the advanced, any level of Chinese students can take the course, although it is advisable to take my College Mandarin Chinese on Your Own Beginning Level so that you are knowledgeable of the Chinese pinyin and writing system and basic Chinese vocabularies. The second lecture teaches in English the poetic implication, the relationship between its poetic form and meaning, composition method and philosophical influence of the poem, so that you understand and appreciate the cultural implication of the poem in greatest depth. The third lecture is a music recitation video made with my recitation (which you can read after), beautiful classical Chinese music and painting, so that you can further familiarize and memorize the language of the poem, and appreciate the immortal, living beauty of these poems.

Through learning these two seasons of Immortal Classical Chinese Poetry Course in combination you will be able to take greatest pride in yourself in being able to understand the major poets of classical Chinese poetry whose works have amazing homology with Chinese arts, philosophy and religion and shapes Chinese history for thousands of years. While you take the aesthetic flight, your Chinese skill will also improve drastically with the wide range of vocabularies and expression in human existence you acquired in these two courses.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn a wide range of chinese vocabularies, for example, vocabularies describing nature, emotion, major human conditions
Learn the representative poems of some major classical chinese poets

Learn to analyze classical chinese poetry
Learn the distinctive motifs and style of each poet

Learn a wide range of chinese vocabularies, for example, vocabularies describing nature, emotion, major human conditions
Learn the representative poems of some major classical chinese poets
Learn to analyze classical chinese poetry
Learn the distinctive motifs and style of each poet

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction of the course

Meng Haoran: landscape poet

This lecture introduces in general terms the life and poetic works of Meng Haoran.

This lecture teaches and practices the language of the poem. Vocabulary
list is provided and you are taught to recite the vocabularies and how
to use them in modern situation. I provided the Chinese character text,
pinyin sound text and English translation text of the poem in my power
point video, usually one passage of the poem on one slide. The literal
meaning of each poetic line is explained in English for you to
understand the poem phrase by phrase and line by line, and I will teach
you to recite the poem line by line twice. You will read after me and
try to imitate as closely as possible my pronunciation and tones.
Because the vocabulary lists include vocabularies from the most basic to
the advanced, any level of Chinese students can take the course,
although it is advisable to take my College Mandarin Chinese on Your Own
Beginning Level so that you are knowledgeable of the Chinese pinyin and
writing system and basic Chinese vocabularies.

This lecture teaches in English the poetic implication of the poem, the
relationship between its poetic form and meaning, its composition method
and Chinese philosophical influence on the poem, so that you understand
and appreciate the cultural implication of the poem in greatest
possible depth.

This lecture is a music recitation video made with my recitation of the poem, matched with beautiful classical Chinese music and painting, so that you can further familiarize and memorize the language of the poem, and appreciate the immortal, living beauty of the poem. In my recitation, I left space between the lines so that you can follow me to read line by line, and watch the video for multiple times until you memorize the poem.

Following the corresponding part of lecture description as provided for the above poem.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores classical Chinese poetry beyond well-known figures, offering a comprehensive view of poets from the Tang Dynasty, which is considered the Golden Age of Chinese poetry

Teaches the language of classical Chinese poetry, which is surprisingly similar to modern Chinese, making it adaptable to daily life with careful explanations of vocabulary changes

Advises students to take 'College Mandarin Chinese on Your Own Beginning Level' first, so knowledge of the Chinese pinyin and writing system and basic Chinese vocabularies is recommended

Includes music recitation videos with classical Chinese music and painting, which helps learners familiarize themselves with the language and appreciate the beauty of the poems

Analyzes the relationship between poetic form and meaning, composition method, and philosophical influence, which helps learners understand and appreciate the cultural implications of the poems

Features poets such as Meng Haoran, Li Shangyin, and Tao Yuanming, which may add color to learners' understanding of Chinese arts, philosophy, religion, and history

Reviews summary

Deep dive classical chinese poetry

According to learners, this course offers a deep and enriching exploration of classical Chinese poetry, building upon the first season. Students particularly praise the instructor's passion and extensive knowledge, which effectively brings the poems to life. The unique three-part lecture structure—combining language practice, poetic analysis, and beautiful musical recitation videos—is frequently highlighted as a key strength that caters to different learning styles and enhances memorization. While the course is described as suitable for 'any level,' some learners note that the language component may be challenging for those without at least an intermediate grasp of Mandarin, suggesting a stronger prerequisite than advertised. Overall, it's viewed as a highly valuable course for gaining cultural insight and improving language skills through the lens of immortal poetry.

Excellent choice of diverse classical poets.

"A solid follow-up to Season 1. The poets covered in this season are equally fascinating."

"Really enjoyed learning about less famous poets than Li Po and Tu Fu. The course structure is logical and effective."

"Good course overall. The selection of poets is excellent."

Videos enhance appreciation and memorization.

"The third lecture is a music recitation video... so that you can further familiarize and memorize the language of the poem..."

"The musical recitations are a lovely bonus."

"The musical recitation videos are beautifully done and aid memorization."

"Musical recitations are unique and help reinforce learning."

Deep cultural and poetic analysis is enriching.

"I learned so much about the cultural context. This really improved my appreciation and understanding."

"The analysis lectures are insightful, offering deep dives into meaning and form."

"As someone already studying Mandarin... The cultural analysis was particularly enriching."

"The analysis is thorough. My only minor critique is that some technical aspects of the videos could be improved..."

"The cultural insights were good, though."

Unique three-part lecture structure is effective.

"I loved the breakdown of each poem into language practice, analysis, and musical recitation."

"The structure of the lectures is very effective. Language, culture, art, and music blend together seamlessly."

"The unique three-part lecture structure (language, analysis, musical recitation) is brilliant and caters to different learning styles."

Instructor's deep knowledge and passion praised.

"Absolutely fantastic course! The instructor's passion for classical Chinese poetry is infectious. I loved the breakdown of each poem..."

"The instructor's deep knowledge and engaging delivery make complex topics accessible. The structure of the lectures is very effective."

"Exceptional course! Dr. XXX is an incredible teacher. His passion, knowledge, and clear explanations bring the poems to life."

May be challenging for beginners.

"The course has interesting content, but it assumes a higher level of Chinese than I expected..."

"The language practice part wasn't quite enough for a non-native speaker to grasp everything before moving to analysis."

"I found this course quite difficult. While the poetry itself is beautiful, the language part felt rushed, and the analysis was hard to follow..."

"...you need at least intermediate proficiency to truly benefit from the language sections."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Immortal Classical Chinese Poetry season 2 with these activities:

Review Basic Chinese Grammar

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of basic Chinese grammar to better grasp the nuances of classical Chinese poetry.

Show steps

Review grammar rules.
Practice sentence construction.
Complete practice exercises.

Read 'A History of Chinese Literature' by Herbert Giles

Show steps

Gain a broader understanding of the historical context of classical Chinese poetry.

View Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism: and Other... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the book.
Read relevant chapters on poetry.
Take notes on key literary movements.

Write a blog post comparing two poets

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of the poets' styles and themes by writing a comparative analysis.

Show steps

Choose two poets from the course.
Identify similarities and differences.
Write a blog post summarizing your analysis.
Proofread and publish your post.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Memorize key vocabulary from each poem

Show steps

Improve your language skills and understanding of the poems by memorizing key vocabulary.

Show steps

Create flashcards for each poem's vocabulary.
Practice memorizing the flashcards daily.
Test yourself on the vocabulary.

Create a visual representation of a poem

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of the poem's imagery and themes by creating a visual representation.

Show steps

Choose a poem from the course.
Identify the key images and themes.
Create a painting, drawing, or digital artwork.
Write a short explanation of your artwork.

Read 'Sunflower Seeds' by Han Shan

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of Han Shan's poetry by reading his original works.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the poems by Han Shan.
Reflect on the themes and style of his poetry.

Tutor other students

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of the material by explaining it to others.

Show steps

Offer to tutor other students in the course.
Prepare explanations of key concepts.
Answer questions and provide feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete The Immortal Classical Chinese Poetry season 2 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Teacher

A teacher educates students in a variety of settings. A teacher of Chinese language and culture may find this course useful. The course’s emphasis on classical Chinese poetry, vocabulary acquisition, and analysis of poetic implication can help build a strong foundation for instruction. By learning about the life and works of famous classical Chinese poets, instructors can create engaging lesson plans and provide their students with a deeper understanding of Chinese arts, philosophy and religion. The course also gives you a comprehensive as well as in-depth picture of the most famous classical Chinese poets, especially the poets in the Tang Dynasty, the Golden Age of China as well as classical Chinese poetry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Professor

A professor conducts research and teaches at the university level, typically requiring a doctoral degree. The knowledge gained from this course may enable a professor to teach courses on classical Chinese literature or language. The course's emphasis on in-depth analysis of classical Chinese poetry helps a professor develop scholarly insights. The course specifically covers the works of poets such as Meng Haoran, Li Shangyin, and Li Ho, providing a foundation for teaching and researching these important figures in Chinese literary history.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Content Creator

A content creator develops engaging material for various platforms, such as websites, blogs, and social media. This course may be useful for content creators who focus on Chinese culture, literature, or language learning. The course's focus on classical Chinese poetry, coupled with its exploration of cultural and philosophical implications, helps provide a foundation for creating informative and captivating content. By learning about the lives and works of classical poets, a content creator becomes better equipped to craft content that resonates with audiences interested in Chinese culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Writer

A writer creates original written content for books, articles, or other publications. This course may come in handy for writers who focus on Chinese culture, history, or literature. The course's emphasis on classical Chinese poetry, vocabulary acquisition, and cultural context can help build background knowledge for writing about related topics. By studying the works of prominent poets and their impact on Chinese society, a writer may gain insights for crafting compelling narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Linguist

A linguist studies language, its structure, evolution, and use in society. This course may be useful for linguists interested in classical Chinese. This course's emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and analysis of poetic implication helps provide insights into the evolution and structure of the Chinese language. Moreover, the course introduces the works of classical poets and explores their influence on arts, philosophy, religion, history and politics. Such knowledge helps a linguist to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between language and culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Linguist

Editor

An editor reviews and prepares content for publication. This course may be useful for editors working with translations of classical Chinese poetry or scholarly articles on the subject. The course's emphasis on vocabulary, poetic implication, and philosophical influence helps provide the editor with the knowledge to ensure the accuracy and cultural sensitivity of the work. Understanding the nuances of classical Chinese poetry helps an editor to maintain the integrity and beauty of the original works.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Translator

A translator converts written material from one language into another, ensuring accurate and nuanced communication. This course may be useful for prospective translators who want to specialize in classical Chinese poetry. The course emphasizes vocabulary acquisition related to nature, emotion, and fundamental human conditions, which helps build a strong foundation for translating classical works. The course's detailed analysis of classical Chinese poems, including their poetic implication, form, meaning, composition method and philosophical influence, may enable a translator to convey the essence of the original poems into another language.

See salaries and explore the career path for Translator

Historian

A historian researches, analyzes, and interprets the past. Historians specializing in Chinese history may find this course useful. The course mentions that classical Chinese poetry shapes Chinese history and politics. The course's emphasis on classical Chinese poetry and its cultural implications helps provide valuable insights into the historical context of the Tang Dynasty and other periods. The course may help a historian understand the mindset and values of Chinese society through the lens of its poetry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Curator

A curator manages and interprets collections in museums or galleries. This course is relevant to curators specializing in Chinese art or literature. The course's detailed exploration of classical Chinese poetry, its forms, meanings, and philosophical influences, helps provide essential background knowledge for curating exhibitions or collections. Moreover, the course explores how the works of classical poets have homology with Chinese arts, philosophy and religion and shapes Chinese history for thousands of years. This helps a curator to understand the historical and cultural significance of these poems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curator

Cultural Consultant

A cultural consultant advises organizations or individuals on cultural issues to ensure sensitivity and understanding. Those who work with Chinese businesses or organizations, for example, may find this course valuable. Highlighting classical Chinese poetry, the course's emphasis on cultural implication, philosophical influence, arts, religion, history, and politics can help enhance a consultant's ability to provide guidance on cultural issues. This helps enable them to foster cross-cultural communication and collaboration.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Consultant

Archivist

An archivist appraises, collects, organizes, preserves, and controls records and documents of enduring value. An archivist specializing in Chinese literature or historical documents may find this course relevant. The course's emphasis on classical Chinese poetry and its cultural and philosophical significance helps to inform the process of appraising and preserving these materials. Understanding the nuances of the language and the context in which the poems were created helps archivists ensure the long-term accessibility and preservation of these cultural treasures. Each poem is taught in three lectures: the first lecture teaches the language of the poem.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Interpreter

An interpreter facilitates spoken communication between individuals who speak different languages. While this course focuses on written classical Chinese poetry, it may be useful for interpreters working with cultural or historical content related to China. The course focuses on pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural context. This helps provide a foundation for interpreting discussions related to classical Chinese poetry, arts, philosophy and religion. The course's thorough exploration of poetic implication and philosophical influence may enable an interpreter to convey complex ideas accurately and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter

Tour Guide

A tour guide leads groups of people on trips to places of interest. This course may be useful for tour guides who specialize in Chinese cultural or historical sites. The course's emphasis on classical Chinese poetry, cultural implication, and philosophical influence can help to provide a deeper understanding of the sites. By learning about poems inspired by nature, emotion and basic human topics, the tour guide can enrich the experience for visitors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tour Guide

Brand Strategist

A brand strategist develops and executes strategies to build and maintain a brand's image and reputation. A brand strategist working with companies targeting Chinese consumers can find this course useful. Understanding classical Chinese poetry, its cultural roots, and its influence on various aspects of Chinese society helps to provide insights that can inform brand messaging, marketing campaigns, and overall brand strategy. This course teaches the language of the poem. Vocabulary lists are provided and taught to recite and to use in modern situation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brand Strategist

Market Research Analyst

A market research analyst studies market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. A market research analyst focusing on the Chinese market can find this course helpful. It provides insights into Chinese culture, values, and preferences, as reflected in classical Chinese poetry. Understanding these cultural nuances helps the analyst to identify market opportunities and develop targeted marketing strategies for reaching Chinese audiences. The poetry can be helpful in identifying trends.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Immortal Classical Chinese Poetry season 2.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Save

Contains a collection of poems by Han Shan, one of the poets covered in the course. Reading his poems in their original form can provide a deeper understanding of his style and themes. This book is particularly useful for understanding the Taoist and Zen influences on his poetry. It provides additional depth to the course materials.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

Check price

Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

Check price

Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of Chinese literature, including classical poetry. It offers valuable context for understanding the historical and cultural background of the poems studied in the course. While it may not delve deeply into specific poems, it provides a broad understanding of the literary landscape. This book is more valuable as additional reading to provide a broader context.

Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism: and Other Religions...

Kindle Edition

The Immortal Classical Chinese Poetry season 2

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Deep dive classical chinese poetry

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses