• Class Number 4462
  • Term Code 2930
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Topic Anecdotal Literature
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Michael Schimmelpfennig
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Michael Schimmelpfennig
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 25/02/2019
  • Class End Date 31/05/2019
  • Census Date 31/03/2019
  • Last Date to Enrol 04/03/2019
SELT Survey Results

This course covers a selection of advanced readings in Literary Chinese. Each semester, students study a different type of Literary Chinese text, including historiography, excavated texts, anecdotal literature, legal documents, poetry, and Buddhist Chinese. Students read prescribed texts in class. They receive tuition in the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax specific to each type of text and register of Literary Chinese. Students also discuss the contextual information necessary for appreciation of the texts under study; and practise using a range of Sinological research tools to discover and interpret such information. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Hypothesise on, analyse, and appraise vocabulary used in different types of Literary Chinese text, with the use of specialist dictionaries.
  2. Identify and analyse the grammar and sentence structures evident in different advanced Literary Chinese texts; and consider their contributions to stylistic and other effects.
  3. Analyse linguistic registers used in texts written in complex, often technical, forms of Literary Chinese and reproduce them in appropriate registers of English.
  4. Use commentaries to assess different readings of the text at hand, supporting translations with an understanding of commentarial techniques and vocabulary.
  5. Produce a creative response to the text through the composition of a critical apparatus and a detailed analysis of textual references and literary allusions, through the use of reference tools specific to the type of text at hand; and develop an appreciation of the text in its relevant social, intellectual, and cultural contexts.

Will be announced on Wattle and during the workshop.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
  • Written comments
  • Verbal comments
  • Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Week 1 - 25 Feb- 1 March: Tuesday: What is anecdotal literature –Introduction, Course outline, assessment Thursday: Fuller L.26 Zhuangzi, Xiaoyaoyou
2 Week 2 - 4-8 March: Tuesday: L.26 Zhuangzi,Xiaoyaoyou continued; Zuozhuan, Zi Chan on avenging souls Thursday: Zuozhuan, Zi Chan on avenging souls continued; Yunmeng, Shuihudi, excerpt
3 Week 3 - 11-15 March: Tuesday: Yunmeng, Shuihudi, excerpt continued Thursday: Hanshu, Yiwenzhi, "Xiao shuo"; Jin shu 82, excerpt Biography of Gan Bao
4 Week 4 - 18-22 March: Tuesday: Soushenji sample texts Thursday: test 1 in class test 1
5 Week 5 - 25-29 March: Tuesday: Soushenji Sample texts Thursday: test 1 results and translation Initial Translation assignment - Take home text 1 hand-out.
6 Week 6 - 1-6 April: Tuesday: Soushenji sample texts Thursday: workshop & quiz Reference materials workshop. Week 6, Menzies library.
7 Week 7 - 22-26 April: Tuesday: Soushenji sample texts Thursday: Soushenji sample texts Initial Translation Assignment due Tuesday of Week 7.
8 Week 8 - 29 April - 3 May: Tuesday: Bowuzhi sample texts No Thursday Session due to the public holiday.
9 Week 9 - 6-10 May: Tuesday: Bowuzhi sample texts Thursday: test in class test 2 Final Translation assignment - Take home text 1 hand-out Week 9
10 Week 10 - 13-17 May: Tuesday: Bowuzhi sample texts Thursday: sample texts tbd
11 Week 11 - 20-24 May: Tuesday: sample texts tbd Thursday: test 2 results & translation
12 Week 12 - 27-31 May: Tuesday: sample texts tbd Thursday: sample texts tbd Final Translation Assignment due end of Week 12.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
In-class test 1 15 % 21/03/2019 28/03/2019 1, 2
In-class test 2 15 % 09/05/2019 23/05/2019 1, 2
Initial take-home translation assignment 20 % 28/03/2019 16/05/2019 2, 4
Reference materials workshop 10 % 05/04/2019 05/04/2019 3, 4
Second and final translation assignment 40 % 07/05/2019 14/06/2019 1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

As a language learning/translation course this course relies on regular attendance and preparation.

Students will be expected to prepare written translations of the texts studied in each session. The reason for this format is to make students learn that translators have to make reasoned (and not instant!) decisions when translating. Only written translations will… enable students to compare their result with results arrived at in class.

Students are further asked to contribute in an active and constructive manner to the business of translation, as well as to discussion with both the lecturer and their classmates.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 15 %
Due Date: 21/03/2019
Return of Assessment: 28/03/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2

In-class test 1

Students will sit two in-class tests during the course. These will consist of passages for translation. Students may also be asked to offer analysis of the vocabulary or syntax of the passages under study. Each test will carry an equal weighting of 15% of the total grade.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 15 %
Due Date: 09/05/2019
Return of Assessment: 23/05/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2

In-class test 2

Students will sit two in-class tests during the course. These will consist of passages for translation. Students may also be asked to offer analysis of the vocabulary or syntax of the passages under study. Each test will carry an equal weighting of 15% of the total grade.

Assessment Task 3

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 28/03/2019
Return of Assessment: 16/05/2019
Learning Outcomes: 2, 4

Initial take-home translation assignment

Students will be handed out a text to take home for translation during week 5. They will be asked to prepare a rough translation in order to see what parts of the translation would be in need of further explanation and annotation.

… 

Workshop: One session of week 6 will be conducted at Menzies library. Here students will be introduced to reference materials and research aides they can use to look for further explanation and emendation and improve their take-home translation. This session will be concluded by an online quiz. (compare assessment task 4 below)

… 

Students will be asked to hand in the complete and annotated translation together with the text via Turnitin at the beginning of week 7. It is expected that students did make use of some of the reference materials introduced during the workshop.

Assessment Task 4

Value: 10 %
Due Date: 05/04/2019
Return of Assessment: 05/04/2019
Learning Outcomes: 3, 4

Reference materials workshop

Workshop: One session of week 6 will be conducted at Menzies library. Here students will be introduced to reference materials like specialized dictionaries and research aides they can use to look for further explanations and emendation of their take-home translations. This session will be followed by an online quiz.

Assessment Task 5

Value: 40 %
Due Date: 07/05/2019
Return of Assessment: 14/06/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Second and final translation assignment

Students will be given a final take-home translation assignment in week 9 of the course. Students have three weeks to prepare an annotated translation with analysis and bibliography based on materials introduced during the library workshop.

The analysis of their translation should include the following points: 

1. Description: this might include a paraphrase of content of the item read, but also an account of such contextual information as authorship, genre, time and circumstances of composition, and reception history.

2. Analysis: this should include a look at the construction of the text, its arguments, and the possible intention in presenting a story or arguments in a particular order.

3. Context: this should include an attempt to set its translation in the broad context of Chinese history and historiography. Students may relate their item to others studied in the classroom as well as to their own readings outside of class. Students will be expected to undertake background readings relevant to the text under study. An introductory list of such readings will appear on the course Wattle site.

4. Personal reflection: students should offer a personal response to the item read. What effects did the text create for them individually? Did they find the text to be effective as a work of historical narrative? Or as a work of didacticism? Do they agree or disagree with secondary scholarship produced on the relevant text?

The analysis should be no longer than 1200 words. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
Dr Michael Schimmelpfennig
6125 8233
michael.schimmelpfennig@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Early traditional Chinese literature and philosophy

Dr Michael Schimmelpfennig

Dr Michael Schimmelpfennig
6125 8233
michael.schimmelpfennig@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Michael Schimmelpfennig

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions