The Classical Chinese curriculum is a complete education in Classical Chinese (文言文) using online materials. The program aims to build proficiency equivalent to a 4-year undergraduate foundation in Sinology or Chinese classics, condensed into 1–2 years at ~20 hours/week.
The focus is on reading comprehension, grammatical mastery, textual analysis, and cultural/historical context, with balanced attention to theory (grammar and philology), practice (translation and reading), and synthesis (interpretation and application).
The resource page can be found here: classical-chinese/resources.
Note: When there are courses or books that don't fit into the curriculum but are otherwise of high quality, they belong in extras/courses, extras/readings or extras/other_curricula.
Process. Students can work through the curriculum alone or in groups, in order or out of order.
- We recommend doing all courses in Core, only skipping a course when you are certain that you've already learned the material previously.
- For simplicity, we recommend working through courses (especially Core) in order from top to bottom. Some students choose to study multiple courses at a time in order to vary the material they are working on in a day/week.
- The courses in the Advanced section are electives. Choose one track to specialize in and complete all the courses listed under it.
- Forums: Chinese-Forums (Classical Chinese section)
- Subreddits: r/classicalchinese
- Discord servers: Classical East Asian Languages
- You can also interact through GitHub issues. If there is a problem with a course, or a change needs to be made to the curriculum, this is the place to start the conversation. Read more here.
| Subject | Why Study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Classical Chinese Grammar | Master the concise syntax, particles, and structures distinct from vernacular Chinese; essential for all reading. | Outline of Classical Chinese Grammar by Edwin G. Pulleyblank | Let's Learn: Classical Chinese (YouTube series) |
| Basic Readings in Classical Chinese | Apply grammar to simple texts; develop recognition of common vocabulary and patterns. | An Introduction to Literary Chinese by Michael A. Fuller | Covered in Let's Learn: Classical Chinese (YouTube series) |
| Tools and Reference Skills | Learn to use dictionaries, commentaries, and philological methods for independent study. | A Student's Dictionary of Classical and Medieval Chinese by Paul W. Kroll | Classical Chinese Wikibook |
| Subject | Why Study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Qin Philosophical Masters | Foundational ideas in ethics, politics, and cosmology; core of Chinese intellectual tradition. | Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy edited by Philip J. Ivanhoe and Bryan W. Van Norden | New Horizons in Chinese Philosophy (edX by Tsinghua University) |
| Advanced Classical Grammar and Syntax | Deepen understanding of complex structures, variants, and rhetorical devices. | An Introduction to Literary Chinese by Michael A. Fuller | Covered in Let's Learn: Classical Chinese (YouTube series) |
| Early Historical Texts | Understand historiography and narrative style; bridge philosophy and history. | Classical Chinese: A Basic Reader by Naiying Yuan, Hai-tao Tang, and James Geiss | |
| History of Chinese Literature (Pre-Qin to Han) | Contextualize texts within literary evolution; survey genres. | The Columbia History of Chinese Literature by Victor H. Mair | Classics of Chinese Humanities: Guided Readings (Coursera by CUHK) |
| Qin-Han Prose and Philosophy | Consolidate empire-era thought and bureaucratic writing. | Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy edited by Philip J. Ivanhoe and Bryan W. Van Norden | Covered in New Horizons in Chinese Philosophy (edX) |
| Subject | Why Study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tang-Song Philosophical Revival | Neo-Confucianism and Buddhism/Daoism interactions. | Sources of Chinese Tradition (Vol. 1) | Covered in Classics of Chinese Humanities: Guided Readings (Coursera) |
| Advanced Daoist Texts | Mysticism and cosmology beyond Laozi/Zhuangzi. | Zhuangzi (trans. Burton Watson) | Covered in New Horizons in Chinese Philosophy (edX) |
| Subject | Why Study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical Poetry (Shi and Ci) | Master rhythmic forms, allusion, and emotion; pinnacle of Chinese literary expression. | An Anthology of Chinese Literature: Beginnings to 1911 by Stephen Owen | Classical Chinese Poetry by Paula Varsano (YouTube lecture) |
| Tang Poetry | Golden age of regulated verse. | The Collected Poems of Li Bai or Du Fu (selections) | Covered in Classical Chinese Poetry (YouTube) |
| Subject | Why Study? | Book | Online Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynastic Histories | Standard historical style; political and moral narratives. | Selections from Shiji and Hanshu | |
| Tang-Song Guwen (Ancient-Style Prose) | Revival of concise Classical prose. | Selections from Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan | Covered in Classics of Chinese Humanities: Guided Readings (Coursera) |
Project Options:
- Annotated translation of a medium-length text (e.g., one Zhuangzi chapter or Tang poem cycle, 2000–5000 characters).
- Research essay comparing themes across texts (e.g., "Concepts of Dao in Laozi and Zhuangzi").
- Critical edition/exegesis of a short passage with commentary.
After completing the requirements of the curriculum above, you will have completed the equivalent of a full bachelor's degree in Classical Chinese. Congratulations!