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, 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. 
   

Research-Led Teaching

This course will require participants to conduct their own research. Existing research on the materials under study is often far from conclusive; different approaches and close analysis may yield new results. Participants will therefore be working at the forefront of contemporary studies of traditional China.

Required Resources

Students will be supplied with copies of the primary texts, as well as supplementary research tools. These will appear on the course website. They will also be distributed in hard copy in class, if necessary. Lists of relevant contextual readings will also be posted on the course website.

Students must have access to suitable dictionaries of Literary Chinese. The course convenor will be happy to offer recommendations.

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	Course introductionConcepts of history 1
2	Concepts of history 2
3	Concepts of history 3	Commentary 1
4	Historical prefacesResearch methods in historical texts: chronology	Research project proposal
5	Historical narratives 1	Commentary 2
6	Historical narratives 2Research methods in historical texts: geography
7	Historical narratives 2Research methods in historical texts: bureaucracy
8	Historical narratives 4	Commentary 3
9	Historical commentaries 1Research methods in historical texts: biography
10	Historical commentaries 2	Commentary 4
11	Historical essays 1
12	Historical essays 2	Commentary 5
13	Exam Period	Research portfolio

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Preliminary translations	20 %	24/10/2025	24/10/2025	1, 2, 3
Textual commentaries (5 commentaries x 6% each)	30 %	24/10/2025	31/10/2025	3, 4, 5
Research portfolio (3000-word essay; appended translations)	50 %	03/11/2025	27/11/2025	1, 2, 3, 4, 5

* 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:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

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.

Assessment Task 1

Preliminary translations

Participants will critically interpret and translate passages from assigned texts in class. As part of this exercise, they will discuss three aspects of the texts under study: items of vocabulary and grammar; the main concepts and lines of argument developed in each text; and the relevant contexts to be gleaned from commentary, related primary texts, and secondary scholarship. These discussions will be based on a combination of preparatory research and in-class analysis. Participants will also engage with others’ translations and interpretations in an active and constructive manner.

Participants will submit written versions of their preliminary translations in which they will reflect their understandings of classroom discussions.

Assessment Task 2

Textual commentaries (5 commentaries x 6% each)

On the basis of their preliminary translations, participants will produce a series of commentaries on the assigned texts. In these commentaries, participants will address a range of linguistic and extra-linguistic issues identified while preparing the preliminary translations.

 

Participants will accompany each commentary with a brief written introduction, in which they will set the text in a broader thematic context of their choice. Where necessary, participants will use the introduction to engage critically with published translations or interpretations of the assigned text in secondary scholarship.

 

The commentaries and their accompanying introductions will build some of the skills needed for the final research project.

Assessment Task 3

Research portfolio (3000-word essay; appended translations)

Participants will produce a research portfolio that build on work done on the assigned texts; it will incorporate and extend the results of in-class translations and commentaries.  

 

The portfolio will allow participants to produce a sustained written argument on an aspect of traditional Chinese historiography that is of close personal interest to them. In it, participants will attempt three tasks:

 

1.    reconstruction of the content of the assigned texts;

2.    analysis of an aspect of the intellectual, literary, cultural, or historical content and contexts relevant to the texts under study. Participants may also address issues of translation.

3.    personal critical reflection on the main theme chosen for analysis.

 

Participants will develop the overarching theme of their portfolio in consultation with the course convenor. As part of their preparations, in Week 4 they will submit a proposal of no more than 250 words. In the proposal, they will set out a research question and the motivations for that question. They may also identify a possible selection of texts from which they might develop their portfolio. (Though participants are encouraged to propose specific sources, the course convenor reserves the right to approve or amend this selection.) The proposal will be unassessed, but it will provide the foundation for discussion with the course convenor and, as a corollary, the basis of the larger portfolio.

 

The final portfolio will comprise a research essay of up to 3000 words (excluding footnotes, bibliography, and appendix). The essay may incorporate up to 1000 words of translated material. The portfolio will also include annotated translations from the course. These translations will form an appendix to the research essay. The appendix will not count to the overall word count.

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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Assessment is designed to be iterative: students are expected to integrate responses to feedback in successive assessments. Re-submission of assignments is therefore neither necessary—students have the opportunity to improve their work through later assignments—nor permitted.

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).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students