The Chinese Voices Project is an ever-expanding free collection of short, accessible mini- essays on current topics having to do with life in today's China. Each brief essay is accompanied by an English introduction and an MP3 audio recording, so students can listen along as they practice reading the text.
Recent additions to the collection (which already features over 80 essays) include short pieces on these current topics: the recent snow storms in China and their effects on daily life, a review of the popular new Ang Lee movie "Lust, Caution," Valentine's Day and its traditional equivalents in China and Japan, a description of the Chinese New Year television performance show (Xinnian Wanhui).
The Chinese Voices Project can be accessed at http://www.clavisinica.com/voices.html.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
介绍一本好书
Peter Hessler写的这本书几年前我看过。非常精彩。如果你打算去中国教英文，或者你想更好地认识现在的中国文化，我建议你看一看。咱们明大的Wilson图书馆有这本书。
In 1996, 26-year-old Peter Hessler arrived in Fuling, a town on China's Yangtze River, to begin a two-year Peace Corps stint as a teacher at the local college. Along with fellow teacher Adam Meier, the two are the first foreigners to be in this part of the Sichuan province for 50 years. Expecting a calm couple of years, Hessler at first does not realize the social, cultural, and personal implications of being thrust into a such radically different society. In River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, Hessler tells of his experience with the citizens of Fuling, the political and historical climate, and the feel of the city itself.
"Few passengers disembark at Fuling ... and so Fuling appears like a break in a dream--the quiet river, the cabins full of travelers drifting off to sleep, the lights of the city rising from the blackness of the Yangtze," says Hessler. A poor city by Chinese standards, the students at the college are mainly from small villages and are considered very lucky to be continuing their education. As an English teacher, Hessler is delighted with his students' fresh reactions to classic literature. One student says of Hamlet, "I don't admire him and I dislike him. I think he is too sensitive and conservative and selfish." Hessler marvels,
You couldn't have said something like that at Oxford. You couldn't simply say: I don't like Hamlet because I think he's a lousy person. Everything had to be more clever than that ... you had to dismantle it ... not just the play itself but everything that had ever been written about it.
Over the course of two years, Hessler and Meier learn more they ever guessed about the lives, dreams, and expectations of the Fuling people.
Hessler's writing is lovely. His observations are evocative, insightful, and often poignant--and just as often, funny. It's a pleasure to read of his (mis)adventures. Hessler returned to the U.S. with a new perspective on modern China and its people. After reading River Town, you'll have one, too.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Chinese TV in Jones
Hello International Satellite TV fans!The Language Center is now showing international satellite TV programming for 11 different languages (Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, Hebew, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Chinese and now, Russian). The programming is available daily on two different channels (3 and 7) in the Language Center.
You may view international programming anytime on a drop-in basis in the Language Center Multimedia Lab or in our small rooms. Our schedule has changed this semester, so make sure that the language you want to view is being played at the time you want. To view our schedule, please see our website http://languagecenter.cla.umn.edu/ichan.php, or the schedule at the end of this email.
If you're an instructor, you can request programs to be recorded for use in your classroom. Please visit the the Language Center's International Satellite TV web page for more information on how to make a recording request. http://languagecenter.cla.umn.edu/ichan.php
If you have any questions regarding International Satellite TV programming at the Language Center, please let us know.
Happy viewing!
Alyssa Ruesch
Classroom Support Coordinator
____________________________________________________________________
Spring 2008 Satellite TV schedule
Language Center Channel 3
Monday: German, 7am - 4pm
Portuguese, 4pm - 9pm
Tuesday: Chinese, 7am - 9pm
Wednesday: Spanish, 7am - 9pm
Thursday: Italian, 7am - 12pm, 4pm - 9pm
Portuguese, 12pm - 5:30pm
Language Center Channel 7
Monday: Korean, 7am - 4pm
Russian, 4pm - 9pm
Tuesday: Arabic, 7am - 9pm
Wednesday: Russian, 7am - 12pm
French, 12pm - 9pm
Thursday: Hindi, 7am - 9pm
Friday: Japanese, 7am - 5:30pm
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Spend May Term in China, Beijing and Shanghai
Dear Students,
There is an exciting opportunity to travel to China for three weeks, earn credits, and practice your Chinese. Chris Isett (History at UMN) and Doug Hartmann (Sociology at UMN) are leading a three week class in Beijing and Shanghai that focuses on the Olympic Games and asks the important questions "where is China heading".
For details, go to http://www.igs.cla.umn.edu/abroad/china.html
Also check out the information given below.
Best,
Chris Isett
____________________________________________________________________
What: The Beijing Olympics, 2008: Sports and Globalization
Where: China
When: May Term, 2008
Who: Christopher Isett (Professor of Modern Chinese History) and Doug Hartman (Professor of Sociology).
Beijing Olympics, 2008: China, Sports and Globalization?is an exciting chance to study in China and earn credits. In 2008, the Summer Olympics will be held in Beijing. International and Chinese human rights organizations, corporations, environmental groups, the athletes, urban developers, city planners, and even Steven Spielberg are all getting involved. We will be examining how the diverse groups all have a stake in the Games and where sports fit in the new global order. Many are interested in how the Games are and will change China. We will certainly ask that question. But, we will also be asking how China is changing the Games and the world. We will spend three weeks in May and June in Beijing and Shanghai, China抯 two most important cities. We will be meeting and interviewing those who are preparing for the games: The Beijing Olympic Committee that is organizing and hosting the Games, Chinese city planners and environmental groups that are preparing the city, Chinese athletes and trainers. We will also be meeting Chinese students at one of China抯 most prestigious Sports Universities and spending time with them to better understand their aspirations and plans for the Games and after. We will be hearing from Chinese scholars about the history of sports in China and the effects of globalization on Chinese politics, culture, and society. We will be meeting with businesses that have a stake in the games and we will visit the venues and see some trial sporting events.
We will of course have time to see the sights: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and other wonderful places.
Your instructors are Christopher Isett (Professor of History) and Doug Hartmann (Professor of Sociology). Chris Isett is a China specialist who teaches and researchers on Chinese economy, society, and politics. Doug Hartmann is a specialist in the sociology of sports, whose research and teaching looks at how race, the economy, and sports intersect.
Eligibility
Priority will be given to University of Minnesota students. However, all are welcome to apply, including students from other universities and colleges as well as non-students. For more information contact one of the two instructors or IGS (contact information below)
Application Deadlines and Fees:
The application deadline is NOW Feb 8. After the deadline applications will be accepted on a space available basis only. Complete applications received after the program fills will be placed on a waiting list.
http://www.igs.cla.umn.edu/abroad/china.html
The program fee will be about $4,200-4,500. We are currently working out the details. This includes your visa costs, health insurance, tuition, lodging, tour and entrance fees, lectures, international airfare, and local transportation. You will need a passport by February in order to get a visa for China. Go to the government抯 website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Financial Aid: University of Minnesota students may use their financial aid for study abroad programs. However, since it generally takes two to four months to process a financial aid application, you will need to apply well in advance. Non-University of Minnesota students may use financial aid from their home institutions, depending on the institutions' rules for credit transfer and payment for study abroad.
Scholarships: The Hsiao and Red Pockets scholarships are available from the China Center, at the University of Minnesota. Students should apply for both. In the past, these have paid about $400-$600 per student. Check the website immediately as the deadline is early. Go to:
http://www.chinacenter.umn.edu/resources/funding/#undergrad
Also, UMN's Study Abroad Program has funding. Visit their offices on the second floor of Heller Hall.
If you have any questions, please email Professor Isett (isett003@tc.umn.edu ) or Doug Hartmann (hartm021@umn.edu) We look forward to receiving your application.
There is an exciting opportunity to travel to China for three weeks, earn credits, and practice your Chinese. Chris Isett (History at UMN) and Doug Hartmann (Sociology at UMN) are leading a three week class in Beijing and Shanghai that focuses on the Olympic Games and asks the important questions "where is China heading".
For details, go to http://www.igs.cla.umn.edu/abroad/china.html
Also check out the information given below.
Best,
Chris Isett
____________________________________________________________________
What: The Beijing Olympics, 2008: Sports and Globalization
Where: China
When: May Term, 2008
Who: Christopher Isett (Professor of Modern Chinese History) and Doug Hartman (Professor of Sociology).
Beijing Olympics, 2008: China, Sports and Globalization?is an exciting chance to study in China and earn credits. In 2008, the Summer Olympics will be held in Beijing. International and Chinese human rights organizations, corporations, environmental groups, the athletes, urban developers, city planners, and even Steven Spielberg are all getting involved. We will be examining how the diverse groups all have a stake in the Games and where sports fit in the new global order. Many are interested in how the Games are and will change China. We will certainly ask that question. But, we will also be asking how China is changing the Games and the world. We will spend three weeks in May and June in Beijing and Shanghai, China抯 two most important cities. We will be meeting and interviewing those who are preparing for the games: The Beijing Olympic Committee that is organizing and hosting the Games, Chinese city planners and environmental groups that are preparing the city, Chinese athletes and trainers. We will also be meeting Chinese students at one of China抯 most prestigious Sports Universities and spending time with them to better understand their aspirations and plans for the Games and after. We will be hearing from Chinese scholars about the history of sports in China and the effects of globalization on Chinese politics, culture, and society. We will be meeting with businesses that have a stake in the games and we will visit the venues and see some trial sporting events.
We will of course have time to see the sights: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and other wonderful places.
Your instructors are Christopher Isett (Professor of History) and Doug Hartmann (Professor of Sociology). Chris Isett is a China specialist who teaches and researchers on Chinese economy, society, and politics. Doug Hartmann is a specialist in the sociology of sports, whose research and teaching looks at how race, the economy, and sports intersect.
Eligibility
Priority will be given to University of Minnesota students. However, all are welcome to apply, including students from other universities and colleges as well as non-students. For more information contact one of the two instructors or IGS (contact information below)
Application Deadlines and Fees:
The application deadline is NOW Feb 8. After the deadline applications will be accepted on a space available basis only. Complete applications received after the program fills will be placed on a waiting list.
http://www.igs.cla.umn.edu/abroad/china.html
The program fee will be about $4,200-4,500. We are currently working out the details. This includes your visa costs, health insurance, tuition, lodging, tour and entrance fees, lectures, international airfare, and local transportation. You will need a passport by February in order to get a visa for China. Go to the government抯 website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Financial Aid: University of Minnesota students may use their financial aid for study abroad programs. However, since it generally takes two to four months to process a financial aid application, you will need to apply well in advance. Non-University of Minnesota students may use financial aid from their home institutions, depending on the institutions' rules for credit transfer and payment for study abroad.
Scholarships: The Hsiao and Red Pockets scholarships are available from the China Center, at the University of Minnesota. Students should apply for both. In the past, these have paid about $400-$600 per student. Check the website immediately as the deadline is early. Go to:
http://www.chinacenter.umn.edu/resources/funding/#undergrad
Also, UMN's Study Abroad Program has funding. Visit their offices on the second floor of Heller Hall.
If you have any questions, please email Professor Isett (isett003@tc.umn.edu ) or Doug Hartmann (hartm021@umn.edu) We look forward to receiving your application.
Friday, February 1, 2008
端午节的风俗
端午节的风俗 端午节是在每年农历的五月五日。中国人的端午节有三个最重要的风俗习惯：戴荷包、吃粽子、划龙舟。荷包有各种各样的 - 有方的，有圆的，也有成串的。荷包里面一般都放有香料或中药，爱漂亮的女孩子最喜欢戴。而且，以前有个传统： 端午节那天，女孩子把自己做的荷包送给她喜欢的男孩子，希望 能跟他作男女朋友。
包粽子、吃粽子是端午节更大的一种风俗。如果你对包粽子有兴趣的话，可以看看下面这个youtube的录像。里面会告诉你怎么包粽子。
当然，端午节最激动人心的风俗还是划龙舟。每到龙舟比赛的时候，男女老少都会争先恐后地跑到江边、河边、湖边去看。中国许多地方都有龙舟队。平常他们练习得十分刻苦，为的就是要在端午节那天赢比赛。请看下面这条“端午节龙舟赛”的新闻。
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2DnRt5UsHWE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2DnRt5UsHWE
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