31217 - Chinese Philology 1

Course contents

Introduction to Classical Chinese: Syntax and Foundational Texts

Introduction to the study of Classical Chinese: syntax and philosophical-literary commentary on passages drawn from the classical sources; analysis of the nature and content of some of the most representative works of the classical period (6th–2nd century BCE) and of the pre-Tang period.

1. Foundations of Classical Chinese Syntax

• Main syntactic structures

• Function words and "full" (content) words

2. Techniques of Philosophical and Literary Exegesis

• Methodologies for the analysis of texts in Classical Chinese

• Understanding context

• Interpretive and exegetical approaches

3. Analysis of the Most Representative Works of the Classical Period (6th–2nd century BCE)4. Pre-Tang Period Texts (2nd century BCE – 7th century CE)5. Practical Skills

• Reading and translation of selected passages

• Use of reference tools and specialized lexicons

6. Historical-Cultural Context

• Currents of thought of the Classical and Pre-Imperial periods

This course aims to provide students with:

• A solid foundation in the grammar and syntax of Classical Chinese

• Skills in reading and interpreting key texts of the Classical and Pre-Tang periods

• An in-depth understanding of the major philosophical and literary works of these historical periods

• The ability to take exegetical traditions into account

The course will integrate linguistic training with philosophical and literary study, guiding students toward an appreciation of the complex interweaving of language, thought, and culture in the classical texts.

Readings/Bibliography

A. Andreini, G. Baccini, M. Scarpari, Corso di lingua cinese classica e letteraria, Milano, Hoepli, 2022. (mandatory)

Mandatory study of at least one of the following texts:

A. Andreini (a cura di), Daodejing. Il canone della via e della virtù. Torino, Einaudi, 2018.

A. Andreini, M. Biondi (a cura di), Sun tzu. L'arte della guerra, Torino, Einaudi, 2011.

T. Lippiello, Confucio. Dialoghi, Torino, Einaudi, 2006.

T. Lippiello, La costante pratica del giusto mezzo. Zhongyong, Venezia, Marsilio, 2010.

M. Scarpari, Mencio e l'arte di governo, Venezia, Marsilio, 2013.

Recommended texts:

M. Scarpari, A. Andreini, Grammatica della lingua cinese classica, Milano, Hoepli, 2020.

Fortemente consigliato: Cheng, Anne, Storia del pensiero cinese, Torino, Einaudi, 2000, 2 voll.

Additional materials will be indicated by the instructor during the course

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra: during the course, the instructor will guide students through the grammatical analysis and understanding of the texts and their contexts.

Assessment methods

Written exam, 1 hour.

Teaching tools

Dictionaries:
1) Grand Ricci:
Link diretto: http://chinesereferenceshelf.brillonline.com/grand-ricci


The Grand Ricci is available on iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android devices (smartphones and tablets) as a module of the well known (free) Pleco Dictionary that can be bought as an in-app add-on. This "Grand Ricci" module includes the entire content of the Dictionary, but it cannot display yet the very old glyphs (the jiaguwen) which will be added in an upcoming (free) upgrade.


2) Kroll, Paul W., A Student's Dictionary of Classical and Medieval Chinese, Leiden, Brill, 2014.
Disponibile anche su Pleco.

Other tools:

https://www.zdic.net/

Office hours

See the website of Michele Pulini