Learn to critically analyze English news articles covering politics, economics, education, and art through this comprehensive Chinese language course. Develop advanced reading comprehension and critical thinking skills while exploring contemporary topics like American political divisions, economic inequality, educational challenges, and the evolution of digital art. Master vocabulary and analytical frameworks through carefully selected readings from major publications, including articles on Democratic Party dynamics, Scottish independence, Hong Kong's pursuit of elite education, and the authenticity challenges in online art markets. Practice evaluating different perspectives and arguments across twelve thought-provoking articles organized into four thematic units, building both language proficiency and deeper understanding of current global issues.
Overview
Syllabus
- Unit 1 Politics
- 1.1 Lexington: The Democrats’ Daughters
- 1.2 A Feminist Party? Perfect. As Long As It Didn’t Last too Long.
- 1.3 Divide And Conquer: Are The Left And The Right In America About To Go To War With Each Other?
- Unit 2 Economy
- 2.1 Solving America’s Inequality Puzzle
- 2.2 Grandeur and Decline
- 2.3 5 Reasons Why Scottish Independence Would Be An Economic Disaster
- Unit 3 Education
- 3.1 Hong Kong in Hot Pursuit of Ivy League Education
- 3.2 Is College Worth It?
- 3.3 Why Do Americans Stink at Math?
- Unit 4 Art
- 4.1 Why eBay Is an Art Forger’s Paradise
- 4.2 Is Digital Art the Real Thing?
- 4.3 Second Coming
Taught by
Gong Jun, Zhang Lihua, and Xu Jia
