CLASSICAL CHINESE LANGUAGE 2

This is one of the electives courses within the 'Cina' curriculum of the Corso di Laurea in "Lingue, Culture e Società dell'Asia e dell'Africa Mediterranea" (interpretariato e traduzione; indirizzo umanistico)

Consolidation of classical Chinese syntax, in-depth study of exegetical literature from the imperial era and identification of suitable tools for textual analysis

Knowledge of classical Chinese grammar, of literary Chinese and of classical Chinese thought.

Beyond the Sunzi bingfa 孫子兵法: Representations of War in Ancient China

This course examines the various modes through which armed conflict was represented in the classical Chinese tradition, with particular attention to texts such as the Sunzi bingfa 孫子兵法, the Liu tao 六韜, the Huainanzi 淮南子, as well as certain manuscript works such as the Sun Bin bingfa 孫臏兵法 and the Gai Lu 蓋廬. The strategic, cosmological, moral, and political dimensions of war will be analyzed, with special emphasis on their interconnections with conceptions of order, nature, and authority. Theoretical reflection will be complemented by philological analysis of selected passages from the classical literary corpus.

Required text:
A. Andreini, M. Biondi (eds.), Sun Tzu. L'arte della guerra, Torino, Einaudi, 2011.

Additional material will be provided by the instructor via MOODLE.

Recommended texts:
A. Andreini, G. Baccini, M. Scarpari, Corso di lingua cinese classica e letteraria, Milano, Hoepli, 2022.

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

A. Andreini, Laozi: Il Canone della Via e della Virtù, Torino, Einaudi, 2018.

The exam will be a written test with open questions concerning subjects and texts dealt with during the course.

written

Excellent (30 cum laude)
The candidate demonstrates an exceptionally thorough and interdisciplinary grasp of the subject matter, which is understood and reworked with complete autonomy and originality. The use of language is masterful, the ability to make cross-disciplinary connections is outstanding, and critical reflection is expressed with clarity, articulation, and persuasiveness.

Very Good (29–30)
The preparation is characterized by broad and in-depth knowledge of the content, reworked with confidence and independence, enriched by personal insights. The ability to reflect and communicate is excellent, though minor imperfections may occasionally appear.

Distinction (27–28)
Knowledge is complete and well-developed, with secure and thoughtful reworking of the material. Reflective and expressive abilities are notable, demonstrating mastery of the subject and clarity in presentation.

Good (24–26)
The candidate shows correct and often complete knowledge of the content, which is understood and reworked with reasonable confidence. Reflective and expressive abilities are good, though some uncertainty may remain.

Fair (21–23)
Knowledge is more than sufficient or fair, with reworking that still shows some uncertainty. Reflective and expressive abilities are substantial or fair, though there is room for improvement.

Sufficient (18–20)
Preparation is marked by sufficient or uncertain knowledge of the content, which still needs to be consolidated and is reworked with uncertainty. Reflective and expressive abilities are barely sufficient or sufficient, with clear potential for growth.

Insufficient (≤17)
The preparation does not reach the threshold of sufficiency: content is known in a fragmented and incomplete manner, comprehension is partial, and reworking is deficient. Reflective and expressive abilities are inadequate, with knowledge insufficient to address the proposed issues effectively.

The course will consist of fifteen lectures

In order to be able to take the exam, students will need to have passed modules 1 and 2 of Classical Chinese Language