Chinese I Syllabus Spring 25

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Chin&121 Syllabus Spring 2025

"闻而忘之，见而记之，行而知之" (wén ér wàng zhī, jiàn ér jì zhī, xíng ér zhī zhī) "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."~~ Confucius

Instructor: Yang Laoshi

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Zoom⁠

Weekly Meeting Time: Wednesdays 9:00-9:40 PM (EVENING)(Attend or watch and complete a reflection)

Email: lyang@pierce.ctc.edu (please prioritize Canvas message for a timelier response)

📜 Course Description

The first quarter of a first-year sequential course to help the student acquire the ability to speak, read, and write Chinese.

🗝 Credit: 5

🧭Dates: April 21 to June 20

💻 Format: Asynchronous with a required Zoom

All learning materials and activities can be completed online. There is a required weekly class session on Wednesdays from 9 to 9:40 pm to optimize our speaking practices.

🎯Learning Outcomes

1. Pronounce Chinese syllables, words, phrases and simple sentences.

2. Read and write Pinyin transcription system.

3. Use a basic vocabulary of 300 words with functional pronunciation.

4. Use basic Chinese sentence structure.

5. Introduce self and others, greet others, and exchange simple personal information.

6. Exchange simple statements and questions about daily activities.

7. Make and respond to simple suggestions and proposals.

8. Exchange information concerning hobbies, time, and dates.

9. Read and write 150 Chinese characters.

Explain and discuss Chinese holidays and festivals in English.

📚 Textbook

Textbook is available through downloadable PDF

Textbook is available through downloadable PDF

Name

Notes

Header Image

Author

Publisher

Year

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Elementary Chinese

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Michigan State University

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📅 Course Schedule

View of Schedule

View of Schedule

Name

Dates

Type

Topic

📒Week 1

4/23/2025

📒Week 2

4/30/2025

📒Week 3

5/7/2025

📒Week 4

5/14/2025

📒Week 5

5/21/2025

📒Week 6

5/28/2025

📒Week 7

6/4/2025

📒Week 8

6/11/2025

📒Review

6/18/2025

✏️Cultural Immersion Project

6/19/2025

Final Exam (written and speaking)

6/20/2025

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📝Assignment and Grading

Speaking Videos (30 pts x 8 weeks =240 pts) DUE BY FRIDAYS

Speaking is one of the most crucial element of language acquisition. It helps you practice the pronunciations and expressions learned through module materials. You are required to upload a video each week. Detailed instructions will be provided in terms of speaking prompts and how to make or upload videos in Canvas. Speaking videos are due on Fridays. It is ideal for you to practice speaking video with a classmate. Try to identify a language partner during the first week after watching classmates' introduction videos. Come to our first Zoom meeting. We will designate some time to pairing students up for language partner practices. Many speaking videos require partner recording (of you and a classmate having a conversation using the expressions we learned). In all partner videos, only one of you needs to upload the recording.

Zoom Meeting participation or reflection: (20 pts x 8 weeks =160 pts) DUE BY SUNDAYS

The weekly meeting will take place at 9 pm on Wednesdays. The recording will be made available by the end of Saturday. There are two options for you to fulfill the meeting requirement:

Attend the meeting and participate TEN TIMES through chat or audio to get your points

Watch the recording and complete a reflection and submit by Sunday

If you attended but did not meet the minimum participation requirement, you will still need to complete a reflection

Workbook Assignments: (20 pts x 8 weeks =160 pts) DUE BY MONDAYS

Workbook exercises aim to reinforce vocabulary and sentences learned in class .You are required to complete the assigned workbook sections and upload pictures of them in Canvas. There is no workbook assignment in Week 1.

Module Quizzes: (30 pts X8 weeks =240 pts) DUE BY TUESDAYS

Quiz is an important tool to help retrieve learning and reinforce knowledge. There are ten quizzes in total. Quizzes are all about contents learned in the current week from the textbook with the exception of the Module 1 Quiz, which is primarily about the syllabus and the course structure.

Cultural Immersion Project: 100 pts (June 19)

The cultural Immersion Project aims to promote linguistic and cultural immersion through outreach to the local Chinese community on and off campus. Considering the current state of affairs, you will be given the opportunity to watch a Chinese documentary and present on that. It corresponds with course learning outcome #10. The project will be published by week 7.

Final Exam: 100 pts (June 20)

Writing section 60 points and Speaking section (upload video) 40 points

The final exam represents the comprehensive exam that encompasses the lessons we have studied from the past ten weeks. It highlights many key vocabularies and characters.

🏆 Grading

Breakdown

Speaking Videos: 24%

Quizzes: 24%

Chinese Exercise Assignments: 16%

Zoom Participations or Reflections: 16%

Cultural Immersion Project: 10%

Final Exam: 10%

Scale

A 95%-100% 4.0

A- 90%-94% 3.5-3.9

B+ 87%-89% 3.2-3.4

B 84%-86% 2.9-3.1

B- 80%-83% 2.5-2.8

C+ 77%-79% 2.2-2.4

C 74%-76% 1.9-2.1

C- 70%-73% 1.5-1.8

D+ 67%-69% 1.2-1.4

D 65%-66% 1.0-1.1

F < 65% 0

You need to earn a C or better to progress to Chinese II

📋Policies

🖥️ Assignment Submission

All assignments should be turned in by the due dates in Canvas

⏰ Late Assignments

Except for the workbook assignment, the cultural immersion project, and the final exams, late work is permissible within 24 hours with NO late work penalty. If foreseen or unforeseen circumstances prevent you from completing an assignment on time, you may request an extension or a make-up using the “life happens” coupon. The coupon allows you to turn in work up to five days late without a late work penalty. Each student is afforded ONE coupon for the entire course. If you find yourself in a position of falling behind and may need more make-up opportunities, please reach out via Canvas message. I promise to try my utmost to support you.

⌚Incomplete Policy

Students who have completed 70% or more assignments and are experiencing hardship can apply for an incomplete and an extension to finish the remaining coursework before the next quarter. Please submit a request for the incomplete work before the course end date. The instructor will make her decision on a case-by-case basis.

📝 Academic Integrity

Online learning promotes “learning by doing.” Through language practices, you gradually build your vocabulary and develop your sense of the language. Google Translate, searching on Google for answers, deprives you of the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. Please familiarize yourself with plagiarism in our

campus policies⁠

. The first violation will prompt an educational conversation, the second offense a zero in the assignment, and a third time may lead to a failing grade.

While AI can aid our learning and can often serve as a great time-saving tool, the usage of AI in language learning can significantly discount your language acquisition. I encourage you to prioritize your language practices over relying on AI or translation tools. One exciting thing about language acquisition is that we get to make mistakes, which help us improve.

⌨️ Netiquette

Respect differences in opinions and try to bridge differences through dialogues and discussions.

Have an open attitude towards people, culture, and values that are different from yours.

Incendiary remarks or any denigrating comments against race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, socioeconomic status, etc., will not be tolerated in this course.

📜Syllabus Change Policy

Except for changes that substantially affect the implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.

📑 Student Rights

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Academic Freedom⁠

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Due Process⁠

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🔖 Student Responsibilities

Complete the required reading in the textbook each week

Fulfill all assignment and discussion requirements according to the deadlines

Communicate respectfully and timely manner

🧰 Instructor Responsibilities

Reply to Canvas messages within 24 hours (except on weekends, holidays, and personal emergencies )

Grade within a week (if unable to do so, communicate via announcements)

Be professional and helpful by offering constructive feedback on discussions and projects

Be respectful of every student

Check in with you if I see signs of struggling with this course

⚖️College Statements

Equity and Inclusion Statement

How I value and implement Equity and Inclusion in this course

Sharing the Chinese language and culture from the perspectives of those who are Mandarin speakers and embody the depth of the culture, who are the “experts” of their lived realities.

Reflect and explicitly label my positionalities, and welcome your critique and opinions.

Invite you to share lived experiences and your culture throughout the course.

Title IX – Discrimination and Harassment Policy

Members of the college community or visitors who believe they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the District Title IX/EEO Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, or if for some other reason a report cannot be made to the Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to one of the alternate designees listed below.

View Pierce College’s

Discrimination and Harassment Policy⁠

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Title IX at Pierce College⁠

Faith and Conscience Accommodation Statement

Reasonable Accommodations for Faith/Conscience: Students who will be absent from or endure significant hardship in course activities due to reasons of faith or conscience may seek reasonable accommodations so that grades are not impacted. Such requests must be made in writing within the first two weeks of the beginning of the course. Students should review the

Accommodations for Faith/Conscience Policy ⁠

and follow the procedures.

Accommodations for Pregnancy and Parenting

In alignment with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Pierce College provides reasonable accommodations to students who are pregnant, have recently experienced childbirth, and/or have medical needs related to childbirth. Pregnant and parenting students can often arrange accommodations by working directly with their instructors, supervisors, or departments. Alternatively, a pregnant or parenting student experiencing related medical conditions may request accommodations through Access and Disability Resources. If you feel like you need accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting, please contact the District Title IX Coordinator, Sean Cooke, by calling 253-459-3987 or emailing

scooke@pierce.ctc.edu⁠

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Access and Disability Services

Pierce College values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to fostering mutual respect and full participation for all students. My goal is to create a learning environment that is equitable, inclusive, and welcoming. If you have or think you may have a disability that may affect your work in this class and feel you need accommodation, contact Access and Disability Services at ADS@pierce.ctc.edu or (253) 964-6468 to see if you are eligible to receive services.

If you are already approved for an accommodation through the ADS, have requested your accommodation for this quarter, and would like to use your accommodation in my class, please connect with me via Canvas messages to discuss your needs.

Emergency Procedure

It is your responsibility to know and understand

emergency procedures⁠

. In the event of an emergency, call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so; if possible, also call Campus Safety at 253-444-0325.

Escorts - Safety escorts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (not available at JBLM). Call Campus Safety at 253-444-0325.

Fire Alarm - During an emergency evacuation, take your valuables ONLY if it is safe to do so. You could put yourself or someone else at risk by delaying your exit. Plan to return to class once the alarm has stopped. Do not return until you have received an official all-clear.

Earthquake - DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON. Once the shaking stops, take your valuables and leave the building. Do not plan to return for the rest of the day. Do not return to the building until you have received an official all-clear.

Active Shooter - RUN, HIDE, FIGHT; run if possible, hide and/or barricade if escape is not possible, fight as a last resort. Most classroom and lab doors are kept locked. If you decide to barricade in a classroom or lab, know how to secure the door so it is locked. This may be done by pulling the door fully closed or by sliding the lock block and pulling the door closed. Know how the door locks ahead of time.

Campus Alerts - Sign up for Pierce College emergency alerts on the College website.