Course description

In this course, we define sinographics as the linguistically informed study of written manifestations of Sinitic languages. Examples are Chinese characters, alphabetical orthographies, and linguistic transcriptions.

The field covers adaptations of Chinese scripts for languages outside Sinitic, e.g. for Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese.

Apart from milestones and recurrent themes in the study of Chinese scripts, we check their interaction with other writing systems, and the impact of printing and digital revolutions.

Objectives

Students will gain

• hands-on knowledge in a broad spectrum of linguistic disciplines, script studies, and language education;

• expand their technical vocabulary in Chinese and in English;

• analyze academic arguments;

• compare different positions and traditions with original observations; and

• present oral and written arguments in English

Format

This course is taught in the form of a seminar (werkcollege). Therefore attendance and preparation are mandatory for all participants.

Texts and other materials are assigned on a weekly basis. These have to be read and prepared by each participant before class.

On the basis of these materials, online assignments are set for each session. All assignments will be discussed in class.

Participants are required to prepare these assignments in writing and bring their notes to class.

Materials

Texts and other materials are distributed online, in Brightspace or in class.

During term, information about the course will be update weekly on the webpage of this course, http://www.wiedenhof.nl/ul/sgfx2526.htm.

Assessment

• In-class participation & contributions (15%)

  • No more than three sessions may be missed for this course
  • See our attendance requirements; in case of absence, you must state a reason
  • You must make up for a missed session by (1) handing in all assignments set for that day and (2) copying classroom notes from a classmate
  • During term, each student will receive three separate marks for in-class participation & contributions
  • In case you wish to review or discuss these assessments, please make an appointment

• Oral presentation (15%)

• Three written assignments (30%)

  • Format requirements for written assignments:
    • Use double line spacing throughout
    • Digital hand-ins in PDF format only
    • Always include your full name, student number, and the hand-in date
    
    
  • Processing & logistics:
    • will return your work with my remarks
    • This list of proofreaders' marks may assist you in reading my comments
    • Hand-in assignments will be graded on a either a five-point or a ten-point scale
    • In case you wish to discuss my comments or assessments, please make an appointment

• Term paper (40%)

  • The term paper grade must be minimally 5 to pass the course
  • The final version of the term paper has to be handed in digitally (PDF only, ) before the deadline
  • The deadline is Tuesday, 26 May 2026
  .

Feedback

We need your feedback in order to maintain and improve the quality of teaching. Any comments and suggestions about the format and contents of this course are most welcome.

A formal student evaluation may be part of the last session of the course.

In that case, participants will be asked to fill out an course evaluation form in the absence of their teacher(s). These written assessments are anonymous and confidential.

Completed forms will be stored in a sealed envelope at the program's administration department. Teachers are not informed of its contents before the final marks of the course have been administrated.