EALC 108: Reading and Writing Chinese Spring 2013 1/5

EALC108: Reading and Writing Chinese

Instructor: Hsiao-Yun Liao Chang E-mail: hsiaolia@usc.edu johnwcha@usc.edu Office: THH 356L Phone: (213)740-8042 Office Hours: T & Th: 1-2 pm appointment & by appointment Program director: Prof. John E-mail: Office: THH 356H Phone: (213) 740-3715 Office Hours:

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Required Texts
Handouts will be provided in class. The following textbooks are optional, not required. Liu, Yao, et al. Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 1: Character Workbook (3rd Ed.). Boston, MA: Cheng & Tsui, 2009. Liu, Yao, et al. Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 2: Character Workbook (3rd Ed.). Boston, MA: Cheng & Tsui, 2009. Liu, Yao, et al. Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 1: Textbook (3rd Ed.). Boston, MA: Cheng & Tsui, 2009. Liu, Yao, et al. Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 2: Textbook (3rd Ed.). Boston, MA: Cheng & Tsui, 2009.

Course Objectives
This course is specially designed for the students who understand and speak Mandarin Chinese to an extent but cannot read nor write in Chinese. It focuses on the development of reading and writing abilities in modern Chinese. Listening and speaking proficiencies will also be enhanced through various class activities and projects. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to read and write basic practical materials, such as using lists, short messages, postcards, and simple notes to express the common elements of daily life.

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While Pinyin--the alphabetic system to represent sounds developed in China--will be practiced and used as a supplementary tool throughout the semester, the main emphasis of the course will be on learning the basic Chinese characters and their related expressions. It is expected that all homework and tests be written solely in characters. Even though students wont be tested on Pinyin, they should familiarize themselves with its usage so that they can apply it to Chinese word processing.

Class Meetings
Class Preparation & Participation: It is important to prepare for each class in advance according to the schedule to ensure the most beneficial and rewarding use of contact time with your instructor and classmates, and to establish proper habits for effective language learning. Accordingly, be sure to preview new material before coming to class and review previously learned material frequently. During class, you should actively participate as much as possible. Please turn off your cell phones and electronic devices in the classroom. Attendance & Evaluation: Regular attendance is required and essential for your success in this course. If for any reason you are unable to attend class, you must inform the instructor in advance and provide supporting documents to be excused. Frequent absences without legitimate excuses will negatively affect your grade. For every eight class periods you are absent without any legitimate excuse, your final grade will be downgraded by one grade level (e.g. from an A to an A-). If you miss 40 percent or more of total class time during the semester, you will automatically receive an F, regardless of your performance in the class. Absences: If you have to be absent from a class because of religious observance, you must inform the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester. If you are a member of a USC athletic team, marching band or the like, you should submit the schedule of the competitions/events along with a letter from the department of Athletics or the director of the band within the first two weeks of the semester. Please come to class on time. Arriving 5 minutes late or leaving 5 minutes early is considered an absence. If you come late or leave early, you are responsible (and not the instructor) for making sure that your own attendance is recorded.

EALC 108: Reading and Writing Chinese Spring 2013 3/5 All announcements will be made in class. Pay attention to all class announcements and check your email regularly for any changes in schedule or activities. The instructor is not responsible for you not being informed of changes due to your failure to pay attention to class announcements. When in doubt, ask.

EALC 108: Reading and Writing Chinese Spring 2013 1/5

Grading
Class Participation---------------------------------------------------- Reading exercises & Writing homework 30% (http://speak.usc.edu) Character writing 10% Tests & Quizzes--------------------------------------------------------- 45% Quizzes 10% Review tests 20% Final Project (Story Project) 15% Final exam date: May 8 (W), 4:30-6:30 p.m Total 100% Grade Distribution B+ 87.0-89.9 C+ 77.0-79.9 D+ 60.0-69.9 A 94.0-100 B 84.0-86.9 C 74.0-76.9 Pass: C- or above ABCF 90.0-93.9 80.0-83.9 70.0-73.9 below 60 10%

Assignments------------------------------------------------------------- 45%

Assignments
Character writing practice: Students are required to write selected Chinese character in the Character workbook or character sheet at least 15 times. You can find the necessary character stroke order at speak.usc.edu or nciku.com. Writing exercise handout (you may find them at speak.usc.edu): Please note the exercises must be completed in Chinese characters. Assignments must be completed neatly and by the due date. Late homework assignments will be accepted as late as the next class meeting and will only receive half credit. Students will receive a grade of zero for all assignments later than the next class meeting. Assignments later than the next class meeting will not be accepted. Sloppy assignments, incomplete assignments, or assignments with too many errors will not be accepted under any circumstance and must be redone by the next class meeting in order to receive half credit.

EALC 108: Reading and Writing Chinese Spring 2013 2/5 Manage your time carefully! Online homework found at speak.usc.edu are all made available well in advance of the due date. Be sure to complete all online assignments in advance of the due date.

To sign up for an account on speak.usc.edu, the registration code is 20091cd.

Tests & Quizzes

There will be one cumulative test every month. Be sure to be on time for all tests. Tests not taken at the scheduled time may be made up only if arrangements have been made with the instructor in advance, or only if supporting documents for a valid emergence are received. A makeup test must be completed within 7 days. They will have 10 percent deducted from the score earned.

Useful Resources & Others

There are textbook and workbook CDs and audiotapes, videotapes, and computer software in the Language Center on the 3rd floor of Taper Hall. Serious efforts should be made to take full advantage of the available audio-visual materials and computer software. Chinese language students enjoy first priority in use of the computers in the Language Center. Students who use the computers at the Language Center to type their assignments should bring their own storage media. Files saved in the hard disks at the center will be deleted and lost.

Addendum
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: University policies concerning academic dishonesty will be strictly enforced, and students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these policies. Academic dishonesty (such as plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of documents, cheating on quiz/test/exam, etc) will not be tolerated and subjected to an appropriate sanction for the violation set forth in the Student Conduct Code, which may include expulsion or suspension from the university. It is your responsibility to know and observe these rules. For a detailed description of plagiarism and other types of academic dishonesty and the sanctions pertaining thereto, please refer to the latest edition of SCampus student guidebook.

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It is also advisable for you to read and familiar yourself with The Trojan Integrity Guide (http://www.usc.edu/studentaffairs/SJACS/forms/tio.pdf) and An Undergraduate Guide for Avoiding Plagiarism provided by Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards (http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS/forms/tig.pdf). Accommodation for students with disabilities Students who need to request accommodations based on a disability are required to register each semester with the Disability Services and Programs (DSP) office (Student Union, Room 301.) In addition, a letter of verification to the course instructor, from the Disability Services and Programs office is needed for the semester in which you are enrolled for this course. If you have questions concerning this procedure, please contact both the instructor of the course and the Disability Services and Programs office at (213) 7400776.