Chinese 450/550 Home Page
From Chinwiki
Class Schedule
Generalities, Miscellaneous, Assorted Goodies --- Useful items that do not fall into any particular class session or topic
Except as noted all class sessions will be held in Knight Library Room 235 (Reed Classroom)
MARCH 31 (Monday) --- session 1
-- Goals of the course (course syllabus). We will kick off the course with a tour of the nooks and crannies of the Knight Library and briefly touch on other library resources on campus. We will begin discussing the mechanics of topic selection and take a deep look at why critical thinking is so essential to scholarly research.APRIL 4 (Friday) --- session 2 --- class will be held in 144 knight library
-- We will learn how to use and develop the class wiki which is the focal point of this course; additionally we will examine some of the tools of the (research) trade. By creating your own personal toolbox of useful software, print resources, and techniques, you can focus your research and eliminate obstacles that can needlessly consume time and energy.APRIL 7 (Monday) --- session 3 --- class will be held in 144 knight library
-- Nothing will make your research project more exciting and frutiful than learning how to make efficient use of the library. You will learn the the Hidden Secrets of the Library Catalog, Janus tips and tricks (the library's online catalog); and how to make maximum use of Summit and WorldCat. Closely related to library work are the classification schemes used in various library collections --- we will make a brief tour of the systems you are most likely to encounter, and we will look at the vital functions of interlibrary loan; cooperative cataloging databases, and some major non-library research resources. Given time we will have an "Introduction to Periodical Literature".
APRIL 11 (Friday) --- session 4 --- class will be held in 144 knight library
-- As libraries have changed over the past 10-15 years, Major database resources (library-subscribed) have become the primary reference tool; these databases are a tremendous resource and we will take a tour of the databases that contain information relevant to the study of China. We will also look at important open-source (free) databases and major net resources and web sites.
APRIL 14 (Monday) --- session 5 --- class will be held in 144 knight library
-- Data collection and building bibliography; Introducing the good (web citation software), the bad (commercial bibliographic software) , and the truly ugly (print books and rote memory). Creativity takes a back seat when it comes to proper citation. Without footnotes your evidence is missing, and without an accepted citation format your research paper or thesis is in big trouble.
APRIL 18 (Friday) --- session 6
-- Mega-indexes and Research Guides: Western language. One of the most difficult tasks leading to a major research project is finding what materials -- if any --- are available. If the research materials are not there, your research, no matter how interesting, is not doable. Mega-indexes is a made-up term referring to tools such as "bibliographies of bibliographies" and extremely large indexes and/or catalogs, and these giant resources are your best first step toward assessing the feasibility of a project.
APRIL 21 (Monday) --- session 7--- class will be held in library Special Collections
-- Special Collection: Working with manuscripts : This is a literally hands-on introduction to the use of special collections materials. You will be dealing directly with rare, unpublished materials. We will meet at the Library circulation desk and then proceed to the the Special Collections Reading Room, where we will be registered and informed of the rules. Travel light to this class; you will not be allowed to take bags, coats, or much of anything into the manuscript area.
APRIL 25 (Friday) --- session 8
-- Mega-indexes and Research Guides: Chinese language This is the Chinese language mirror of session six. Chinese resources have historically been large-scale. Indeed, these materials make up the vital core of China studies.
April 28 (Monday) --- session 9
-- Dictionaries, chronologies, calenders: Nothing about China seems to be easy -- and that applies to the use of dictionaries and the conversion of dates to the Western equivalent.
MAY 2 (Friday) --- session 10
MAY 5 (Monday) --- session 11
-- Premodern History: Premodern history up to the Qing period, and one session cannot deal even poorly with such a vast expanse of time that is the foundation of China . We will try. Also, we will look at the general resources available to historians.
MAY 9 (Friday) --- session 12
-- Modern History: as historians know, the closer we get to the present, the more information there is to process. That’s good and bad. We’ll look not only at the resources but also at the complex categories of information that modern historians are obliged to examine.
MAY 12 (Monday) --- session 13
-- Art & Humanities: Some of the most difficult research problems that can arise in any area of Chinese studies are those associated with art and art history. China's long and marvelous production of the arts makes this field immensely satisfying for researchers.
MAY 16 (Friday) --- session 14
-- Religion and Philosophy: China is an extremely diverse country in terms of religion and spiritual heritages. The study of Buddhism is an extraordinarily demanding endeavor. Islam has always been important in China, and our Special Collections holds an outstanding library of Christian missionary manuscripts and materials.
MAY 19 (Monday) --- session 15
-- Business and Economics: As China becomes an economic superpower, business data, risk analysis, and trade information is a rapidly increasing segment of China information. And, of course, employment opportunities in the private sector will probably loom as a possibility for even the most committed of Sinologist.
MAY 23 (Friday) --- session 16
-- Social Sciences / Government Publications / Statistical Resources. A look at both English and modern Chinese government resources. Since political life has been so important in Chinese affairs, it’s critical to know which resources can provide general as well as detailed account of the political milieu.
MAY 26 (Monday) (HOLIDAY -- MEMORIAL DAY)--- --- NO CLASS
MAY 30 (Friday) --- session 17
-- Popular Culture / Film studies. Economic influence is not the only impact East Asia is having globally; the importance and influence of Asian culture has grown beyong kungfu movies and Japanese scifi. The interaction between East and West now occurs at a level that demands increasing attention.
