CHINESE LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Spring 2026 Courses:

CHNS 102---Chinese Level II Li Wei
(4 credits; five hrs/wk; MTWTF 9:30 or 10:30) 2 in-person sections + 2 Distance Sections
Continued introduction to Mandarin Chinese (prerequisite: CHNS level I or equivalent).

CHNS 202---Chinese Level IV Lijing Ye
(4 credits; five hrs/wk; MWF 10:30 or 11:30; TTh 11:30 only) 2 sections + 1 Distance Section
Continued work on Mandarin Chinese (prerequisite: CHNS level III or equivalent).

CHNS 280---Introduction to Chinese Culture and Civilization Yuwen Hsiung
(3 credits; three hrs/week; TTh 12:00-1:15)
Survey of Chinese civilization and culture. Focus of the course may vary with each semester. Readings are in English and Chinese.

CHNS 281---Intro Chinese Food Culture II Aijen Wann
(3 credits, three hrs/week TTh 1:30-2:45)
Introduction to the food culture of China. Part II will study Chinese gastronomy including the history, production and preparation of Chinese drinks and snacks. Discussions will also include the cultures of drinks and snacks and their social functions in networking and profession. Chinese food industry outside of Chinese speaking regions will be discussed as well. Readings are in English. NO PRIOR EXPOSURE TO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IS ASSUMED.

CHNS 285---Chinese Calligraphy Aijen Wann
(1 credit; Tu 3:30-5:20)
An introduction to the graceful art of writing Chinese characters. NO PRIOR EXPOSURE TO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE WRITING SYSTEM IS ASSUMED

CHNS 302---Chinese Level VI Lijing Ye
(3 credits; three hrs/wk; MWF 12:30 or 1:30) 2 sections
Continued work on Mandarin Chinese (prerequisite: CHNS level V or equivalent).

CHNS 330---Introduction to Chinese Cinema Hongjian Wang
(3 credits, three hrs/week; lecture: MW 2:30; screening: W 3:30-6:20)
This course surveys the development of Chinese cinema from its beginning to the present. Films from the mainland as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong will be examined in-depth for their aesthetic quality and techniques, and equally important, against their socio-historical, political, economic, and cultural contexts. The class is conducted in English. Films are all in Chinese with English subtitles.

CHNS 341— Chinese Literature II: Traditional Chinese Literature Li Wei
(3 credits; TTh 1:30-2:45)
Survey of traditional Chinese literature. Focus of the course may vary with each semester. Readings and discussions are in both English and Chinese.

CHNS 402---Chinese Level VIII Hongjian Wang
(3 credits; three hrs/wk; MWF 1:30)
Continued work on Mandarin Chinese (prerequisite: CHNS level VII or equivalent).

CHNS 594---Chinese Strange Writings: Chinese Popular Culture Yuwen Hsiung
(3 credits; three hours/week TTH 1:30-2:45)
Introduction to popular cultures in Chinese-speaking regions and communities. Primary sources will be in both Chinese and English.

For more information about updated course offerings and assistance with registration, please contact:

Professor Li Wei (SC G05, wei345@purdue.edu)

Professor Hongjian Wang (SC G022, wang2512@purdue.edu)