Pleasure of Studying Language and Literature
Language not only allows people to speak, but it also allows them to convey feeling and ideas. With written words, speech travels afar and breaks through the limitations of time and space, for people to appreciate the vastness of the world. The appealing words and heartfelt texts reach deep into the heart, enhancing temperament and self-confidence. Language is a pathway to cross the ancient and modern times. It is the pleasure of studying language and literature that direct us onto this pathway.
Pleasure of Studying Language and Literature in the Department
As its full name indicates, the Department of Chinese Language and Literature combines both linguistic and literature studies. Studying language from these two aspects not only helps us deepen our understanding of the language subtleties, but also appreciates the beauty of literature. Moreover, it offers us a glimpse of the complexity of all worldly things and enables us to distinguish right from wrong and good from evil. Our courses are divided into four disciplines, namely linguistics, ancient documents, classical literature, and modern literature. These four disciplines are crucial to a full understanding of the features that characterize the Chinese language. Under these four disciplines, the Department offers both foundational and professional courses in the undergraduate program; the former courses are compulsory with an aim to provide the basic knowledge of language and literature, whereas the latter courses are elective and cover the four disciplines. This allows students to broaden their horizons, make in-depth analysis, and develop their research ability. The curriculum content is as rich as it is specialized, which imparts comprehensive knowledge and lays a solid foundation for students to walk through the propitious path in their studies without relying on shortcuts. The whole process is challenging and by no means easy, but nobody will end up empty-handed. With formidable language skills, our graduates will be able to work, study, and live with greater ease in future. This is what makes it a pleasure to study language and literature in the Department.
Pleasure of Studying Language and Literature at CUHK
The Department has a long history at CUHK, and CUHK is a magnet for humanities studies and the promotion of Chinese culture. The collegial atmosphere of humanities research renders that our teachers, shouldering the responsibilities to continue the legacy, are engaged in academic pursuits with an inherited devotion and actively involved in cutting-edge research that plays a leading academic role. The doctoral and master’s degree students trained in the Department pay equal attention to both theories and applications and, with rigorous scholarship, adhere to the fine traditions handed down from generation to generation. The Department is also responsible for the University Core courses of Chinese for undergraduate students, offering language courses such as “University Chinese”. Diversified teaching contents are endowed with flexible teaching models, which synthesize the old and the new and keep abreast of the times; it is designed to cultivate students’ self-study ability, arouse their thirst for knowledge, and raise their language ability, in the hope that what they have learned can be applied to their lives and benefit the society. The Department adheres to academic traditions but is not constrained by them. It aspires to meet societal needs and global challenges and makes new innovations in language research and teaching. There has been a clear position in our development that sets a foothold in Asia with a global vision. With this in mind, we work hard to uphold our heritage while forging ahead into the future. This aligns with the founding mission of CUHK which aims at combining tradition with modernity and bringing together China and the West. Not only do we attach great importance to the promotion of traditional culture, but we also keep pace with the progress of our times. This is what makes it a pleasure to study language and literature at CUHK.
The missions of the Department are to find ways to accomplish these goals and open new possibilities. And with new capacities, we are meant to contribute to the academic field and benefit the community as well. This is what pleasure is all about!
TANG Sze Wing
Department of Chinese Language and Literature