Day 3
Wed. Jan. 13
Readings from “Rituals of the Esenich”
Feedback on writing: A few words
Review words & phrases from last class
Speakers: Jerry, George, Wu You (share social scripts)
Going forward (intro to Essay 1)
Homework
➤ Read excerpts from My Country and My People, 2019 Edition
Read the introduction and three sample chapters from My Country and My People, 2019 Edition. As you read, consider these questions and be ready to share your answers next class:
In the introduction:
How do the authors (Tong Le and Tang Chunxin) define “culture”? (Also, what metaphors do they use to describe their understanding of culture?)
What is the purpose of the writing in this book and how does its purpose relate to their definition of culture?
In the chapters (Giving Gifts, Choosing WeChat Profile Photos, Punch Card Tourism):
What patterns do you notice in terms of how the essays are structured? (What’s in the beginning? What’s in the middle? What’s at the end?)
Which of these essays did you most enjoy reading, and why? (Please note that I didn’t choose these chapters because they’re the “best,” but because I think they could be most interesting and useful to talk about.)
Are there any of these essays where you have a different view from the author’s, or something else you might add to what the author has already said? (Or, if you were to write about this same topic, how might you write about it differently?)
➤ Skim tables of contents, think about topic, request 3 chapters
(this part is due 6pm on Saturday)
The books whose tables of contents I’ve given you are the kinds of books that would be available to a newcomer to China (someone like Stephanie) if they wanted to understand typical patterns of how Chinese people think, act, and communicate. (Actually, there’s not much good writing of this kind available — what you write could well be more accurate, up-to-date, and meaningful than what you find in these books!)
Please skim these tables of contents to see what topics have been written about, and what topics haven’t been written about. Decide on an area you’re particularly interested in. Message me on WeChat before 6pm on Saturday and request 3 chapters from any of these books that you think might be relevant to the topic you’re interested in. I will scan the chapters and send them to you for you to read.
➤ Short writing assignment: Begin Essay 1
Read the instructions for Essay 1 and write the beginning of your essay — probably the first two paragraphs or so, corresponding to Step #1 on the handout. Upload yours as a .doc or .docx file to our Box folder, to the folder titled “Essay 1 beginnings.” I’ll read these and give you feedback on the direction you’ve chosen for your essay.
(Remember, if you want me to keep giving you feedback on language, show me some evidence that you are trying to use, or plan to use, the feedback I’ve given you already!)
➤ Speakers for next class: Derrick, Rachael, Rixin
Let’s be in contact over WeChat about the topic of your “mini-presentations” next class. There are a couple options. I’d like to hear which you prefer.