3 credits
This class open to graduate and undergraduate students
Enrollment requires the instructor’s permission.

The purpose of this course is to give students increased exposure to
texts which formed the basis of traditional Chinese literati
education.  While the readings are certainly intended to improve
students’ grasp of grammar and style, the basic motive for the
course is to provide an opportunity to read the sorts of texts that
members of the Chinese studies field often spend their careers
wishing they had time to read, and to help them face the world of
scholastic commentary without trepidation.

C451 will begin by using a third century A.D. commentary edition of
the Lunyu as a text.  We will read the text but focus on the
commentary, in order to master technical features of traditional
annotation which ultimately provide greatly increased access to
literary texts.  Other texts will be selected according to student
interest, and may include selections from Classical era texts, such
as the Shi jing, or Zuozhuan, later poetry, or short tales, such as
zhiguai.  Wherever possible, we will read from editions that include
traditional commentary, with the aim of improving students’ ability
to read commentary and enjoy its many thrills.

Students will keep reading journals for notes on grammar and
substance.  Grading will be based on classroom work and on the
journals.