Chinese Culture and Contemporary China from Coursera

This course of Chinese Culture and Contemporary China will explore the foundations of Chinese civilization and the dimensions of Chinese culture. It will pay particular attention to the relationship between Chinese culture and the present-day life of the Chinese people and to the different elements of the culture which are under the present social structures, belief systems, literature, arts, customs, etc. The course aims at providing students with a deeper knowledge of Chinese culture, thus enabling them to better understand China.

The course will cover the following main areas of topics: (1) the foundations of Chinese civilization: its geography, language, and history; (2) the core concepts in Chinese philosophies and religions: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism; (3), literature and arts, including Chinese calligraphy, painting, Tang poetry, and classical fiction; (4) society and life, including education, the role of women, Chinese food, and traditional holidays; (5) travel and landscapes, including well-known Chinese cities, mountains, ethnic regions and customs; (6) Chinese media, culture and sports, including TV and movies, fashion, Chinese gongfu and taiji.

In addition, students will be expected to participate in a buddy program beyond curriculum if they have a chance to come to Nanjing. Ideally they will be paired up: an international student with a Nanjing University student to allow students to learn firsthand about Chinese customs, culture, and language. Students will be required to complete various projects and homework assignments as well, which will encourage them to use Nanjing University and the city of Nanjing as a laboratory to apply what they learn during their stay at Nanjing University.

What's inside

Syllabus

Essentials of Chinese Confucian Thought

Confucian culture is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture. In this segment, we introduce the three basic concepts of Confucian culture: Li or ritual etiquette, Ren or benevolence, and Tao. In the Confucian view, the variety of practiced rituals maintains the balance of society. Benevolence is the core of the ritual because only with benevolence one can truly observe li. Tao is the natural laws or order of the universe. One has to research the objective universe genuinely, to find those natural laws, and then use what was found to structure the human world. All these elements make the benevolence great.

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Develops essential understanding of Confucian thought, which is a cornerstone in traditional Chinese culture, and its implications in Chinese life

Taught by recognized instructors, 程爱民, 张斌, 杨居柳, 敖雪岗

Explores various dimensions of Chinese culture and their influence on Chinese life

Offers a comprehensive overview of Chinese history, geography, and language, providing a strong foundation for understanding Chinese civilization

Examines core concepts in Chinese philosophies and religions, enriching perspectives on Chinese culture and belief systems

Covers diverse aspects of Chinese culture, including arts, customs, literature, and traditions, fostering a well-rounded understanding

Reviews summary

Broad introduction to chinese culture

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive introduction to Chinese Culture and Contemporary China. Students appreciate the broad overview it offers, covering diverse topics from philosophy and art to cuisine and festivals. Many find the content engaging and the lectures insightful, making complex subjects accessible. It is often recommended as a great starting point for those with little or no prior knowledge. However, some students note that while the course is broad, it tends to lack depth in specific areas, serving more as a survey than an in-depth study. Aspects like the focus on Nanjing or the optional buddy program may not be relevant for all learners, particularly those taking the course remotely. Overall, it appears to be a well-structured course for gaining foundational knowledge.

Excellent course for beginners.

"This course is perfect for someone starting to learn about China with no prior background."

"As a complete beginner, I found this course incredibly accessible and informative."

"Highly recommend this as a first step into understanding Chinese culture."

Lectures are interesting and insightful.

"The lectures were truly captivating and insightful, making the material easy to absorb."

"I found the content, especially on Chinese festivals and cuisine, absolutely fascinating."

"Learned so much from the well-presented video lectures. Very engaging."

Covers many facets of Chinese culture.

"It gave me a good introduction to various aspects of Chinese culture, history, and modern life."

"I really appreciated the wide range of topics covered, from ancient philosophy to modern fashion and food."

"Provides a useful survey of many different cultural elements, a great starting point."

Nanjing-specific content less useful remotely.

"The parts about Nanjing felt a bit irrelevant since I was taking the course online."

"Couldn't participate in local activities, which seemed like a key part mentioned."

"The focus on using Nanjing as a lab didn't apply to me taking it from afar."

Covers many areas but lacks deep dive.

"While broad, it felt a bit superficial in some areas. Good overview, but not deep."

"It's a great starting point, but don't expect deep dives into any single topic."

"I wish some specific topics, like philosophy or art history, went into more detail."

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 Chinese Culture and Contemporary China with these activities:

Review essential concepts of Chinese culture

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Helps you refresh key principles of Chinese culture

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Revisit notes, lecture slides, or textbooks on the core aspects of Chinese culture
Identify knowledge gaps and focus on reviewing those specific areas

Practice writing Chinese characters

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Improves character recognition and writing skills, which are essential for studying Chinese culture and language.

Browse courses on Chinese Calligraphy

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Find a Chinese character練習帖(practice booklet).
Practice writing each character multiple times.
Use a Chinese dictionary to check your work.

Read The Analects

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Provides foundational knowledge of the core of Chinese culture and philosophy.

View The Analects on Amazon

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Read the book slowly and carefully, paying attention to the nuances of the language and the structure of the arguments.
Take notes on the main points of each chapter.
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague.

Six other activities

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Follow a tutorial on Chinese painting techniques

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Develops practical skills in Chinese painting, enhancing appreciation for its unique style and techniques.

Browse courses on Chinese Painting

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Find a tutorial on Chinese painting techniques that interests you.
Gather the necessary materials.
Follow the tutorial step-by-step.

Create a Chinese calligraphy artwork

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Develops a deeper understanding of the art of Chinese calligraphy and its cultural significance.

Browse courses on Chinese Calligraphy

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Choose a Chinese character or phrase that you want to write.
Practice writing the character or phrase multiple times on scrap paper.
Once you are satisfied with your practice, use ink and brush to create your artwork.

Attend a Chinese cultural event

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Provides opportunities to interact with native Chinese speakers and learn about Chinese culture firsthand.

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Find a Chinese cultural event in your area.
Attend the event and participate in the activities.

Read Dream of the Red Chamber

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Provides a comprehensive overview of Chinese society and culture during the Qing Dynasty.

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Read the book slowly and carefully, paying attention to the characters and their interactions.
Take notes on the main events of the story.
Discuss the book with a friend or colleague.

Create a Chinese-themed recipe book

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Provides hands-on experience with Chinese cooking techniques and ingredients, deepening understanding of Chinese culinary culture.

Browse courses on Chinese Cuisine

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Research different Chinese cuisines and dishes.
Select a variety of recipes that represent different regions and cooking styles.
Cook the dishes and take notes on your experience.

參加漢服工作坊

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Provides hands-on experience with traditional Chinese clothing, fostering appreciation for its cultural significance.

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Find a Chinese costume workshop in your area.
Attend the workshop and learn about the history and construction of Chinese costumes.

Career center

Learners who complete Chinese Culture and Contemporary China will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Translator

Translators translate written or spoken text from one language to another. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese language and culture, which can be valuable for translators who work with Chinese-language texts.

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Journalist

Journalists report on current events. They need to have a deep understanding of the culture and politics of the countries they report on. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can provide this knowledge for journalists who report on China.

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Political Scientist

Political scientists study the political systems and processes of different countries. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese politics and society, which can be valuable for political scientists who study China.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at universities. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese culture and history, which can be valuable for professors who teach or research China.

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Foreign Service Officer

Foreign service officers represent their countries abroad. They need to have a deep understanding of the culture and politics of the countries they are posted to. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can provide this knowledge for officers who are posted to China.

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Teacher

Teachers teach at schools and universities. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese culture and history, which can be valuable for teachers who teach Chinese language, history, or culture.

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Writer

Writers create written works, such as novels, short stories, and poems. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese culture and history, which can be valuable for writers who want to write about China or Chinese characters.

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Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural anthropologists study the cultural practices and beliefs of different societies. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese culture and society, which can be valuable for cultural anthropologists who study China.

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Museum curator

Museum curators oversee the collections and exhibitions of museums. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese culture and art, which can be valuable for curators who work with Chinese collections.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study the social behavior and interactions of different groups of people. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese society and culture, which can be valuable for sociologists who study China.

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Travel Writer

Travel writers write about their experiences traveling to different places. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese culture and society, which can be valuable for travel writers who write about China.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists gain a rich understanding of human societies, cultures, and languages. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese culture, society, and history. This knowledge can be valuable for anthropologists who study China or Chinese communities around the world.

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Historian

Historians study the past. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese history and culture, which can be valuable for historians who study China.

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Archivist

Archivists organize, preserve, and manage historical documents. The Chinese Culture and Contemporary China course can help build a foundation in Chinese history and culture, which can be valuable for archivists who work with Chinese-language documents or archives.

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