Head of Department: Professor H. F. SIMON, B.A. ( Lend. ), M.A.
The Department of Oriental Studies was established in 1961, thanks to a gener- ous grant of the Myer Foundation. It offers courses in Chinese I, II and III leading to a major of the ordinary degree, in Parts I, II, III and IV of the honours school of Chinese and in Japanese I, II and III. A non-linguistic survey course of the history and political institutions of China and Japan, East Asian Studies I, is offered by the Centre of East Asian Studies ( cf. below p. 177). For the time being it will not be possible to offer East Asian Studies II.
COURSES IN CHINESE
The Chinese are proud of a civilization which is second to none. One of the most remarkable features of this civilization is that it has been carried in the one language by the one people over a period of some 4,000 years. We have a wealth of literature in many fields which covers the last two and a half millennia of this period as well as inscriptions on bronzes and oracle bones which go back much further. A knowledge of written Chinese will put within one's reach what is probably the largest corpus of literature known to us in any one language.
But it is necessary to distinguish three main forms of written Chinese: classical, mediaeval and modem. Classical Chinese has a structure and vocabulary broadly based on the written language of the 5th Century B.C. Mediaeval and modern Chinese, on the other hand, are based on the spoken language current at the time at which the texts were written. There are, therefore, fundamental and strongly marked differences of structure, style and vocabulary between the three forms.
Modern Chinese may be dated from the beginning of this century, whilst mediaeval Chinese may be said to have its early beginnings in the 6th century A.D.
and to have produced its first major creative works, the plays of the Yuan period, in the 13th century. The terms "modem" and "mediaeval' are, therefore, used in a rather special sense dictated by the nature and structure of the written material.
Classical Chinese continued to be written throughout these periods and is still being written today.
As a spoken language, Standard Chinese—or as it is often called, Mandarin, or Киоyii or Putunghua—is now spoken and understood throughout China and in most of the overseas Chinese communities in the various countries of South-East Asia. It is, therefore, a satisfactory medium of communication with the majority of the 700,000,000 of Australia's Chinese neighbours—rather more than one-fifth of the world's total population. Standard Chinese is based on the Peking dialect and the pronunciation taught will be that of Peking.
The rapid emergence in the latter half of this century of China as a great world power has added considerable urgency to Western studies of Chinese and of Chinese civilization. From their early beginnings as a peripheral and esoteric pastime, these studies have now developed into an increasingly normal and central pursuit at most of the major universities in the West. Australia s geographical position makes such a development particularly desirable and important.
As a result of this development, some opportunities now exist for careers in the academic world as well as in government and business for graduates in this field. A knowledge of Chinese either of major or sub-major standard coupled with suitable qualifications in such fields as History, Political Science or Economics is particularly useful in this respect.
ORDINARY DEGREE
( Details for the honours degree are set out at the end of this section. ) Group 1
31-1. CHINESE PART I
A course of б hours per week consisting of 4 lectures and 2 tutorials.
No previous knowledge of Chinese is necessary for this course and its main emphasis will be linguistic. Students will receive a thorough grounding in Standard
170
ORIENTAL STUDIES
Chinese in its spoken and written form' There will also be some introductory lectures on Chinese poetry. Candidates who intend to proceed to Chinese II must also take East Asian Studies I ( cf. p. 177) since a pass in this subject is a pre-requisite for Chinese II.
Holders of the G.C.E. or Matriculation in Chinese and graduates of Chinese middle schools or similar or higher institutions, where the language of instruction is Chinese, are exempted from Chinese I. Such candidates will take East Asian Studies or Japanese I and Chinese II and III as a major for the ordinary degree. They may take Chinese II as an additional subject in group 1 of the ordinary degree.
Similar exemption may also be given at the discretion of the head of the department to other candidates who have recognized professional qualifications in Chinese.
SYLLABUS
Phonetics and syntax of the Peking dialect.
Translation from and into Standard Chinese.
Dictation, calligraphy and conversation.
Introduction to Chinese poetry.
BOOKS
(a) Prescribed texts:
*Chao, Y. R.—Mandarin Primer. Vol. L ( Harvard U. P.) Simon, W.—Structure Drill in Chinese. ( Lund Humphries.)
Kotewall, R., and Smith, N. L., ( trans.)—The Penguin Book of ` Chinese Verse. ( Penguin, 1962.)
(b) Prescribed dictionary:
*Simon, W.—Beginners' Chinese Dictionary. ( Lund Humphries. ) ( c) Recommended for reference:
Wang, Fang-Yu—The Lady in the Painting. ( Far Eastern Publications, Yale University, 1957.)
Lee, Pao-Chen-.--Read about China. (The Institute of Far Eastern Languages, Yale University, 1957.)
The department will issue a supplementary reading list as well as additional teaching material in the form of mimeographed sheets.
EXAMINATION
One 3-hour aper of translation from Chinese (unseen ). One 3-hour paper of translation into Chinese ( unseen ) together with questions on Chinese grammar and Chinese poetry. An oral examination.
31-2. CHINESE PART II
A course of 8 hours per week consisting of 4 lectures and 2 tutorials.
Before being allowed to proceed to Chinese II, students must have obtained a pass in Chinese I and in East Asian Studies I. In exceptional circumstances, permis- sion may be granted by the head of the department to proceed to Chinese II and East Asian Studies I simultaneously. Candidates who are exempt from Chinese I must satisfy the head of the department that they have a satisfactory command of Standard Chinese.
The emphasis of courses in Chinese II will be divided between language and the study of modern Chinese literature. Classical Chinese will also be introduced at this stage. The medieval novel will be studied both in the original and in translation.
SYLLABUS
Prescribed texts from Modem Chinese Literature.
The Chinese novel.
Translation from and into Modern Chinese.
Conversation and oral practice.
Classical Chinese.
BOOKS
(a) Prescribed texts:
*Liu, C. Y.—Fifty Chinese Stories.` (Lund Humphries, 1960.)
*Ва Jin—Yuehyeh. (any ed.) Luu Shiunn—Guhehiang.
FACULTY OF ARTS HANDBOOK
Iwu Shyh—Shin 1Sychaur Yttnndonq.
Lao Sheh—Renwuhde Miaushiee.
Buck, Pearl—( trans.) All Men are Brothers. ( Grove Press Inc., N.Y.)
Wang, Chichen ( trans. )-Dream of the Red Chamber. (Twayne Publications, N.Y.)
(b) Prescribed Dictionarieš:
*Mathews, R. H.—Chinese-English Dictionary. (Any ed.)
*Tzongher Inghwa Нwaing Dah Tsyrdean. (Any ed.)
or Liang, Shih-Chiou—A New Practical English-Chinese Dictionary. (Yuan Tung Tushu Gongay, Taipei, 1963.)
(c) Recommended for reference:
Lo, Kuan-Chung—Romance of the Three Kingdoms. (Trans. C. H. Brewitt- Taylor. (Tuttle, Rutland, 1959.)
Liu, Тieh-Yiin—The Traoels of Lao Ts an. (Trans. Harold Shadick.) (Cornell
U.P., 1952.) .
(Prescribed and other Chinese texts, together with a supplementary reading list may be obtained from the department.)
EXAMINATION
One 3-hour paper on translation from and into Chinese (unseen). One 3-hour paper on prescribed texts together with questions on the Chinese novel. An oral examination.
31-3. CHINESE PART III
A course of 6 hours per week consisting of lectures and tutorials.
The division of emphasis between language and literature will be the same as in Chinese II. The study of classical Chinese will be continued. Sung and Yuan poetry will be studied in the original.
SYLLABUS
Prescribed texts from Modem and Medieval Chinese literature.
Chinese poetry.
Translation from and into Chinese.
Classical Chinese.
Advanced oral work.
Chinese Bibliography.
BOOКS
( a) Prescribed texts:
Mau Duenn—Chuentsam.
Luu Shiunn—Faun Ay-nonq.
Lao Sheh—Reпwuhde Miqushiee.
*Liou Dah-)ye—Ionggwo Wenshyue Fajaanshyy.
Mencius, Book VI, Part I.
(b) Prescribed Dictionaries:
*Tsyr Нае. (Jonghwa Book Company.)
*Tzoпgher Inghwa Нwaing Dah Tsyrdean. (Any ed.)
or Liang, Shih-Chiou—A New Practical English-Chinese Dictionary. ( Yuan Tung Tushu Gongay, Taipei, 1963.)
*Mathews, R. H.—Chinese-English Dictionary. (Any ed.) (c) Recommended for reference:
Teng, S. Y., and Biggerstaff, K.—An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Chinese Reference Works. ( Harvard, 1950.)
EXAMINATION
One 3-hour paper on prescribed texts. One 3-hour paper on unseen translation from Modem and Classical Chinese. One 3-hour paper on translation into Chinese together with questions on Chinese literature. An oral examination.
Lectures, Tutorials and Examinations. Attendance at all lectures and tutorials is compulsory and class work and essays will be taken into consideration in the grading of examination results.
172
ORIENTAL sтvnтEs HONOURS DEGREE Q. SCHOOL OF CHINESE
1. A candidate in the school of Chinese will take Chinese parts 1, II, III and IV, together with East Asian Studies I and three additional subjects to be approved by the head of the department. One of these additional subjects should be English I or the first part of a sub-major in a subject to be approved by the head of the department. Candidates will be encouraged to proceed to a major in an approved subject.
2. In their First Year, candidates will, therefore, take Chinese part I, East Asian Studies I and either English I or the first part of a sub-major or major in an approved subject.
Admission to the higher years of the course is conditional upon a satisfactory performance in the First Year, and students must be approved by the faculty of Arts as candidates for the degree with honours before entering the Second Year of the honours school. The professor of Oriental Studies will normally recommend such approval for candidates who have gained at least second class honours in Chinese part I. Other candidates who wish to continue in the honours school must interview the professor of Oriental Studies, who will be guided in his recommendation by the merits of the case.
A student who has completed the First Year of the course for the ordinary degree.
and has passed in Chinese I and East Asian Studies I may, with the permission of faculty, enter the honours school. Such a student must make special application to the faculty through the sub-dean. If permission is granted, the faculty will prescribe what further work must be completed before the student is allowed to proceed to the final examination.
3. In the Second Year, candidates will take Chinese part II together with an additional subject or the second part of the approved sub-major or major.
4. In the Third Year, candidates will take Chinese part III together with an additional subject or the third part of the approved major.
5. In the Fourth Year, candidates will take Chinese part IV.
Some variations in this course may be available in 1967.
31-1. CHINESE PART I
(Ions.)
A course of 7 hours per week of 4 lectures and 3 tutorials.
SYLLABUS
As for the ordinary degree, together with a course on linguistic theory and Chinese grammar.
BOOKS
As for the ordinary degree, togыher with the following recommended textbooks:
Forrest, R. A. D.—The Chinese Language.
or Karlgren, B.—The Chinese Language. ( Ronald Press, 1949.)
Hockett, C. F.—A Course in Modern Lingиistics. ( Macmillan, 1958. ) Jones, D.—The PhonØ. (Heller, 1950. )
EXAMINATION
As for the ordinary degree, with special questions on Chinese Grammar afd Poetry.
31-2. CHINESE PART II
(Ions)
A course of 9 hours per week of lectures and tutorials.
SYLLABUS
As for the ordinary degree, together with a course of 3 hours per week of lec- tures and tutorials on prescribed texts in medieval Chinese.
BOOKS
As for the ordinary degree together with the following prescribed texts:
*Shoeihuujuann. ( 120 chapter ed.) Chaps. 23, 24. . .
FACULTY OF ARTS HANDBOOK
Irwin, R. G. Evolution of the Chinese Novel. ( Harvard, 1953.) Hightower, J. R.—Topics in Chinese Literature. ( Harvard, 1953.)
Prescribed and other Chinese texts as well as a supplementary reading list may be obtained from the department.
EXAMINATION
As for the ordinary degree together with one paper on the prescribed texts.
31-3. CHINESE PART III (Ions) A course of 9 hours per week of lectures and tutorials.
SYLLABUS
As for the ordinary degree, together with a course of 3 hours per week of lec- tures and tutorials on prescribed tests in medieval Chinese.
classical literature.
BOOKS
As for the ordinary degree together with the following prescribed texts:
*Shoeihuujuaпп. (120 chapter ed.) Chaps: 25, 26.
*Tsaur Sheuechyn—Horngloumenq. (120 chapter ed.) Chaps. 1 and 14.
Chinese texts as well as a supplementary reading list may be obtained from the department.
EXAMINATION
Three papers as prescribed for the ordinary degree together with a fourth paper on prescribed texts in medieval Chinese and an oral examination.
31-4. CHINESE PART IV (Ions) A course of 6 hours per week of lectures and tutorials.
SYLLABUS
Advanced language study of modern and classical Chinese. Advanced study of modem and medieval Chinese literature. A project on a modem Chinese author, in- volving translation and a short thesis.
BOOKS
Prescribed texts:
*Tsaur Sheuechyn—Horngloumenq. ( 120 chapter ed.) Chaps. 31-34..
*Maa Jyhyeuan-Hanngong Chiou.
Sy-Maa Chian—Shyy Jih. Book 7.
(Prescribed and other Chinese texts together with supplementary teaching material on mimeographed sheets may be obtained from the department.) EXAMINATION
One 3-hour paper of translation from modern and classical Chinese (unseen).
One 3-hour paper of translation into Chinese (unseen) and an essay. One 3-hour paper on the prescribed texts.
Lectures, Tutorials and Examinations. Attendance at all lectures and tutorials is compulsory and class work and essays will be taken into consideration in the grading of examination results.
COURSES IN JAPANESE
Japan's emergence as a modern State over the last hundred years is one of the most striking features of recent history. Today Japan stands as one of the most important nations on the world scene, and an understanding of Japan and its people is of the greatest importance. Australia's geographical position in particular makes it inevitable that contacts with Japan must steadily grow. A very large part of Australia's trade is with Japan, and the proportion will probably increase. It is most desirable that knowledge of Japanese cul&ure and civilization should increase at the same time.
A knowledge of Japanese also provides access to a highly stimulating and varied field of study. Before the modern era, Japan had already evolved a complex civilization by supplementing its own distinctive cultural foundations with extensive
OØNTAL STUDIES
adaptations of a wide range of Chinese, Indian and other elements. In addition to the intrinsic value of the resulting variety of literary expression and historical records, this wide background makes- a knowledge of modern Japanese scholarship especially useful in the study of other Asian civilizations.
Again, Japan's extraordinary success in the task of modernization, both cultural and economic, has resulted in the growth of a vigorous modern literature in close touch with all contemporary problems, as well as a steady stream of valuable publica- tions on scientific and other specialized research. Japanese studies are therefore important both for the intrinsic interest of the national culture, ancient and modern, as well as for the many special contributions the Japanese have made to Asian and general problems of our time.