Spring 2026 Course Search

Contemporary Chinese Poetry — CHI4220.01

Instructor: Ginger Lin
Days & Time: Tu/F 7:00PM-8:20PM
Credits: 4

While the language of classical Chinese poetry is practically inaccessible to even today’s native speakers of Chinese, the poetry of the five contemporary poets studied in this course is written in the vernacular and serves as a rich source of authentic texts for this course, which integrates language learning with poetry study. The five poets, all born after 1980, each offer a unique perspective into the changing society and culture of modern China.

Confucianism vs. Daoism: Classical Texts, Research, and Dialogue — CHI4402.01

Instructor: Ginger Lin
Days & Time: TU 2:10pm-4:00pm
Credits: 4

This advanced Chinese course engages students in a deep exploration of China’s two most influential philosophical traditions—Confucianism (儒家) and Daoism (道家)—through direct engagement with authentic classical texts. We will read selections from The Analects (《论语》) by Confucius, The Daodejing (《道德经》) by Laozi, and the Zhuangzi (《庄子》), accompanied by the instructor’s own translations to facilitate comprehension of classical Chinese.

Song for Ireland and Celtic Connections — MHI2251.01

Instructor: John Kirk
Days & Time: TU,FR 10:30am-12:20pm
Credits: 4

Celtic history and music from Ireland, Scotland, Bretagne, Galatia, and Cape Breton will be experienced, studied, and performed using instruments and voices. We’ll find and cross the musical bridges between regions–from the ballads of Ireland, Scotland and Wales to the Alalas of Spain, through the Scottish Gaelic speaking Highland and Islands to the dance tunes of Brittany. An end-of-term presentation will be prepared drawing on inspiration from traditional forms.

Concert Music 1968-2000 — MHI2216.01

Instructor: Allen Shawn
Days & Time: MO,TH 10:00am-11:50am
Credits: 4

In this course we focus our attention on a few of the most exciting composers of the late twentieth-century, and discuss how their music has influenced the music of the current period.

The 24 Filial Piety Stories and Zhuangzi's Tales — CHI4407.01

Instructor: Ginger Lin
Days & Time: TU,FR 4:10pm-6:00pm
Credits: 4

This course introduces students to two foundational texts in Chinese thought: The Twenty-four Stories of Filial Piety, which highlight the Confucian ideal of devotion to one’s parents, and the Tales of Zhuangzi, which reflect Daoist values of spontaneity, naturalness, and freedom. By reading these works in translation and in modern Mandarin at the student’s language level, the class explores the interplay between Confucian and Daoist perspectives—two traditions that have profoundly shaped Chinese culture.