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.

Essentials of Chinese Painting

In this unit, we introduce the world of Chinese painting, which is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. We discuss three important features that make Chinese art of painting unique and different from the Western painting. We also analyze the possible philosophical reasons lying behind that difference. By the end of the unit, one will know things like why Chinese paintings are usually not framed and without many colors, or why Chinese people when drawing might prefer having more than one artistic perspective, as well as other aspects of Chinese art.

Essentials of Chinese Music

This unit mainly focuses on three topics of Chinese music culture which are the origin and essence of the Chinese musical style, Confucian effect on the understanding of traditional Chinese music and Contemporary Chinese music development under the influence of western music. It is hoped that after completing this unit, students could feel and realize the uniqueness of Chinese traditional music, and have an overall understanding of the development of Chinese music culture.

Essentials of Chinese Costume

With a large variety of clothes and accessories, from the dragon robe of emperor to the humble clothes of common people， Chinese traditional costumes show the beauty of the material world. It’s also related to the social classes, feudal ethics and traditional philosophies. This unit centers on three major questions, trying to show specific details of the splendid costumes as well as explaining the cultural implication, such as the ranks of imperial court, the customs of weddings and funerals, the gender issue in Tang dynasty, etc.

Chinese Cuisine

Chinese food is well-known throughout the world for its appearance, aroma and flavor. The uniqueness of Chinese food lies not only in its appearance and flavor, but also in its style of preparation, cooking and presentation. Chinese food culture was gradually formed in the development of Chinese society and civilization and was in turn helped shape the character and temperament of the Chinese people. As a panorama of Chinese culture, Chinese food is generally believed to be one of the best channels to know this country, its people and culture. There is a profound philosophy under Chinese food culture, and this lesson will help the learners understand why eating and drinking is of special importance to the Chinese, not only to their physical wellbeing but also to their mental health and harmony.

Chinese Traditional Festivals

Festivals are an important part of Chinese culture. A significant number of festivals in folklore are rich in various elements of Chinese traditional culture. Do you know what the most important Chinese holiday is? Do you know what Chinese people eat, what clothes they wear and what other interesting things they do during those holidays? More important do you know the reason why they are doing that? Watch the "Festival Culture" unit to find that out. The unit is rich in contents supplied with exciting media that brings you to the amazing world of Chinese festivals.

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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

Average chinese culture course

According to students, the lectures in this course are short, making them easy to follow. However, there is also feedback that the teachers are uninteresting and monotonous.

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.

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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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