Phonology and Human Difference in the Late Ming:

Chen Di's "Mao shi guyin kao zixu (Author's Preface to Investigation of the Ancient Pronunciations in the Mao Odes)" (1606)

Presenter: Leigh Jenco, London School of Economics and Political Science

Professor Jenco writes: My current research examines the overlooked connections between Wang Yangming learning (i.e., xinxue Confucianism) and empirical scholarship in the late Ming and early Qing. The philosophical agendas of Wang Yangming—notable for their reliance on the subjective and inward-looking sources of moral knowledge, rather than on empirical investigation of the external world that earlier neo-Confucians held to be the primary means for learning moral truth—are typically seen as discouraging scholars from engaging in the kind of text-critical historical analysis that would flourish a century later under the banner of kaozheng (evidential research). To the contrary, I try to show that Wang’s doctrines motivated empirical research in a specific way, that lends new insight into how and why empirical investigation was undertaken in late imperial China. Chen's groundbreaking investigation of the Mao Odes (published around 1606) was built on the pioneering insight that ancient pronunciations of words in the Odes classic differed from contemporary pronunciation, a thesis which Chen meticulously defended through a systematic reconstruction of rhyme patterns. This text was heralded by later Qing kaozheng scholars and modern commentators as a paragon of proto-scientific empiricism in early modern China. Yet Chen's own preface to this work shows that it was in fact his commitment to an ideal of virtue as embodied and responsive to context, upheld by the Taizhou school associated with Wang Yangming, that inspired him to recognize the possibility of historical and phonological difference.

All are welcome, with any level of experience with classical Chinese.

At each session, a participant presents a classical Chinese text. Attendees discuss historical, literary, linguistic, and other aspects of the text, working together to resolve difficulties in comprehension and translation.

No preparation is required, all texts will be distributed at the meeting.Contact eap-guwen@cornell.edu for more information.Or subscribe to CCCC news for updates about events. Please make sure to send your subscription request from the email address at which you wish to receive CCCC updates.

Presenter: Beverly Bossler, Brown University

The Dao of soliciting a patron: Zheng Xia 鄭 俠 (1041-1119)'s "Letter presented to [the] Transport Intendant" 上漕車書 (Anon, Guo chao er bai jia ming xian wen cui 國朝二百家名賢文粹)

The Cornell Classical Chinese Colloquium (CCCC) 古文品讀 is a reading group for scholars interested in premodern Sinographic (古文) text. The group typically meets monthly during the semester to explore a variety of classical Chinese texts and styles. Other premodern texts linked to classical Chinese in Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese have been explored. Presentations include works from the earliest times to the 20th century. Workshop sessions are lead by local, national, and international scholars. No prior experience or preparation is necessary.

The workshop aims to offer an understanding of race, racism, and the particular racial formations embedded in the classroom and a discussion on ways to apply anti-racist pedagogy to courses in Asian studies. With scholars of Asian culture, history, and language participating, this workshop opens discussions on the challenges of incorporating anti-racist pedagogy into our classrooms to overcome both perceived personal and institutional barriers and on practical strategies and models of intentional anti-racist curriculum. The topics of discussion include teaching models of anti-racist and social justice, syllabus-making, selection of teaching materials, challenges and problems in the classroom, etc.

EAP Faculty host: Suyoung Son (Asian Studies)

Panelists include: Naoki Sakai (Asian Studies), TJ Hinrichs (History), Christine Balance (Performing & Media Arts), Ivanna Yi (Asian Studies), Stephanie Divo (Asian Studies), and Razima Chowdhury (Asian Studies)

Image by Getty Images

You're invited to the 2020 Cornell-China Online Forum this Thursday and Friday evening (December 10-11, 2020 starting at 7:30 pm EST both nights).

Through hosting this annual event, the Cornell China Center hopes to promote in-depth communication and collaboration between Cornell University and leading international scholars and leading Chinese scholars, entrepreneurs, and innovators. This year's exchange will focus on the future of Sino-US education, exploration and reflection during the pandemic, alumni career development, future-oriented design education, and more. The Forum hopes to provide constructive perspectives for the thinking and practice of the development of areas of society, and also to launch a series of new regular events including a deans' dialogue. The E Fund Foundation provided valuable support to this event. Below is the forum information and registration (free). Hope you can join us!