Course Syllabus
Chinese 1 - Elementary Chinese 1
Section # 2015 - Course Syllabus
Instructor Contact
Emily Peng 彭老师[彭老師](Péng Lǎoshī)
Email: epeng@santarosa.edu
Office Hours via Zoom: TTH 6:00-6:30 pm (30 minutes after our Zoom meeting twice a week)
Contact Response Time: Within 24 hours. If you don't hear back from me in 24 hours, assume I did not receive your email and resend it.
Class Meetings via Zoom
Join https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/87065476474
There will be synchronous meetings required for this class. We will be using Canvas as our learning management system and will meet via Zoom twice a week TTh 4:00-6:00 pm as listed on course descriptions.
Course Description
Introduction to elementary traditional Mandarin Chinese grammar and development of all language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) needed to effectively communicate using Chinese cultural patterns and conventions.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Initiate, maintain, and comprehend simple conversations in Chinese on everyday topics using statements and questions with appropriate pronunciation in the present and past tenses.
- Write coherent paragraphs containing descriptions of people, places, and everyday activities.
- Read level appropriate material written in traditional Chinese.
- Utilize Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways at the beginning level.
- Demonstrate cultural awareness and insights about the Chinese speaking world as well as the Chinese-speaking communities in the United States.
Objectives:
- Utilize common Chinese vocabulary related to everyday topics.
- Read simplified passages from original Chinese texts for general meaning and basic comprehension.
- Communicate in traditional spoken and written Chinese.
- Employ greetings and polite expressions in a culturally appropriate context and manner.
- Develop and organize short sentences and paragraphs in Mandarin Chinese.
- Identify and use the correct Mandarin Chinese tones in pronunciation.
- Develop insight into Mandarin Chinese culture, traditions and society.
- Correctly express thoughts in written form utilizing appropriate traditional Mandarin Chinese characters.
- Pronounce the phonetic symbols in Chinese "Pinyin".
Course Web Site
Students will use the Canvas course web site for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmate's work, sharing resources, and viewing grades.
Textbook and Workbooks
- Integrated Chinese Textbook 4th Ed. Volume 1 (ISBN: 9781622911356 )
- Integrated Chinese Workbook 4th Ed. Volume 1 (ISBN: 9781622911363)
- Integrated Chinese Character Workbook Volume 1 (ISBN: 9781622911370)
You can locate and order textbooks online via the SRJC Bookstore. Note that if you want to pick your books up in Petaluma, you need to order them from the Petaluma Bookstore website.
Required Technology
Internet Connection
Recommend: a Broadband/DSL connection to most effectively view the online videos and participate in video conferences
Computer
In addition to an adequate internet connection, you will need a fairly recent Mac or PC (preferably not more than three years-old) with a current operating system to complete some of the course activities. Because it's built using web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with an up-to-date web browser. An up-to-date browser not only provides a better user experience, it also protects your data.
Canvas also provides minimum requirements for your computer:
You will need the following software for this course.
What you need to know about Zoom meetings
Webcam and Microphone
We may be in different places across the state (and maybe even across the world!), but we still want to see you! Video conferencing is extremely powerful. A quick conference call can help you overcome a technical barrier that seemed insurmountable, and it can help you connect with peers and mentors across the system.
We'll be using ConferZoom to conference with you, which means you'll need a camera and microphone. Most computers have integrated cameras and mics, but please check your computer to ensure both work and to familiarize yourself with the settings. @ONE webinars and office hours are terrific times to check if your webcam and microphone are working. We're happy to meet with you to help you test your camera, microphone, and speakers!
Important Dates
Date Class Begins: 8/15/2023
Date Class Ends: 12/7/2023
Last Day to Add without instructor's approval: 8/20/2023
Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: 9/3/2023
Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: 9/3/2023
Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: 11/12/2023
Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass: 12/15/2023
Date Final Exam: 12/12/2023
Dropping the Class
If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). Also, for several consecutive, unexplained absences, the instructor may drop a student.
Pass‐NoPass (P/NP)
You may take this class P/NP. You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online with TLC or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P.
You must file for the P/NP option by 12/15/2023. Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade. If you are taking this course as part of a certificate program, you can probably still take the class P/NP. Check with a counselor to be sure.
Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum
The instructor will post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. A “Q&A Forum” is also on Canvas to ask for assistance of your classmates or instructor.
- Notification Preferences (Video)
- How do I add contact methods to receive Canvas notifications as a student?
- How do I set my Canvas notification preferences as a student?
Attendance, Participation and Preparation
- Students who fail to attend the first Zoom meeting class or do not log-in to an online class after the second class Zoom meeting of the semester will be dropped from the class.
- It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact me to avoid being dropped from the class.
- Participation (in other words, interaction with others) is crucial to learning to understand and to speak a new language. Therefore, we will do many activities and tasks that foster peer interaction in Zoom meetings.
- Students are expected to have prepared for classes ahead of time by previewing new lesson texts, audio files, and vocabulary.
- Attendance is not marked by your body in a class, but rather by your participation within the class activities.
Here are the brief "guidelines" we will follow to structure participation:
- check-in and interact in the course at least twice a week;
- participate in all discussions—the first reply each week is due on Wednesday;
- complete assignments on the due date;
- connect with me beforehand if you are not going to be participated in Zoom meetings.
This course follows a weekly schedule. Each week you will interact with your peers in weekly discussions, and complete a series of activities and assignments. The weekly schedule allows us to learn from one another, and it keeps everyone on a path toward our learning goals.
With each of your assignments, I will provide feedback, which opens another opportunity for revision, learning, and growth. Working within our weekly schedule allows both you and me to plan our time.
Late Policy
All assignments are due at midnight PST 11:59 pm on the due date. A late submission will receive a 20% penalty. Submissions more than one week late are not accepted without prior arrangement. Late work will not be graded unless student sends instructor an email with URL for late work.
To best help you complete the course successfully, I ask that you strive to meet deadlines, especially on interactive elements of the course. Please contact me as soon as possible so I can help you stay as current and provide as much support as possible.
Exams
There will be online quizzes and, midterm and final exams. The material comes from the textbook, class lectures and supplemental materials. If any exam is missed, a zero will be recorded as the score. It is your responsibility to take the online quizzes and exams by the due date.
Grading & Feedback
Each assignment includes a detailed grading rubric. Please review the rubric before submitting your work to ensure you have addressed all the required elements of the assignment. If your work is submitted on time, I will review and comment on the work within 72 hours. I encourage you to review the feedback, and, if needed, submit a revision.
Grading Policy
Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade once a week and post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook.
Grades will be assigned as follows:
A |
90% |
90 points or more |
---|---|---|
B |
80% |
80 to 89 points |
C |
70% |
70 to 79 points |
D |
60% |
60 to 69 points |
If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and complete the midterm exam and the final exam to pass the class.
Standards of Conduct
Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.
Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's policy on Academic Integrity
Other Important Policies and Practices
Avoid Plagiarism Like the, er, Plague
Although most students have likely heard about plagiarism during their years of schooling, it still is prevalent-even in higher education.
The video below reviews what plagiarism is and how not to do it.
Netiquette, or Why Is It Harder to Be Polite Online?
Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications. Use these guidelines:
- Use capital letters sparingly. THEY LOOK LIKE SHOUTING.
- Forward emails only with a writer's permission.
- Be considerate of others' feelings and use language carefully.
- Cite all quotations, references, and sources (otherwise, it is plagiarism).
- Use humor carefully. It is hard to "read" tone; sometimes humor can be misread as criticism or personal attack. Feel free to use emoticons like :) for a smiley face to let others know you are being humorous.
- Use complete sentences and standard English grammar to compose posts. Write in proper paragraphs. Review work before submitting it.
- Text speak, such as "ur" for "your" or "ru" for "are you" etc., is only acceptable when texting.
Special Needs
Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (707)527-4278, as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Course Summary
- Important Due Date
- Assignments
- Discussions
- Assessment
- Projects
- Course Content
Module 1: Introduction to phonetics
- Chinese Pinyin: initials (consonants) and simple/compound finals (vowels)
- Tones: four tones and neutral tone
- Modern standard Chinese: Mandarin
(Regional dialects of Chinese: Mandarin, Wu, Hakka, Southern Min, Northern Min, Cantonese, Xiang, and Gan)
Module 2: Introduction to Chinese writing system
- Formation of characters
- Basic radicals
- Basic character structures
- Basic strokes
- Stroke orders
Module 3: Chinese vocabulary & grammar
- Reading practice
- Writing practice
Module 4: Important Grammatical Features
- Basic sentence structure
- Measure words
Module 5: Lesson 1 Greetings
Module 6: Lesson 2 Family
Module 7: Lesson 3 Time and Date
Module 8: Lesson 4 Hobbies
Module 9: Lesson 5 Visiting Friends
Module 10: Recap L1-5
Chinese 1 Tentative Course Schedule (Maybe revised during the semester) |
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Week |
Module |
Zoom |
Course Content |
Assignments & Assessment |
1 |
1 |
8/15 |
Introduction of phonetics
|
|
8/17 |
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2 |
8/23 |
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2 |
8/24 |
Introduction of Chinese Writing System
|
|
|
3 |
8/29 |
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8/31 |
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4 |
3 |
9/5 |
Chinese vocabulary & grammar
|
Quiz - Chinese radicals and characters |
9/7 |
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5 |
9/12 |
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4 |
9/14 |
Important Grammatical Features
|
Review:
|
|
6 |
9/19 |
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9/21 |
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7 |
5 |
9/26 |
Lesson 1 Greetings
|
|
9/28 |
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8 |
10/3 |
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6 |
10/5 |
Lesson 2 Family
|
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9 |
10/10 |
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10/12 |
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10 |
10/17 |
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7 |
10/19 |
Lesson 3 Time and Date
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11 |
10/24 |
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10/26 |
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12 |
10/31 |
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8 |
11/2 |
Lesson 4 Hobbies
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13 |
11/7 |
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11/9 |
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14 |
11/14 |
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11/16 |
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15 |
9 |
11/21 |
Lesson 5 Visiting Friends
11/23 Thanksgiving - No Zoom Meeting |
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11/23 |
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16 |
11/28 |
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11/30 |
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17 |
12/5 |
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10 |
12/7 |
Recap: L1-5
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18 |
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12/12 |
Final Exam & Presentation You did it. Congratulations! :) |
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