Course Description: Zuozhuan (The Zuo Commentary on Annals of Spring and Autumn)
By Lee Long-hsian

1. Overview
Zuozhuan is the most important works of classics and history writings to understand the book Annals of Spring and Autumn and that era, as well as the everlasting literary masterpiece. This course is designed to combine three disciplines: classics, history and literature, thorough the careful examination of Zuozhuan.

2. Organization
Mainly lecture. Group discussion and report are also considered.

3. Content
a. A brief introduction of the Spring and Autumn Period.
b. A brief introduction of Zuozhuan: the relation between Zuozhuan and Annals of Spring and Autumn, and some issues pertaining Zuozhuan: its title, origin, author, the date of completion, and transmission of pedagogy.
c. Selected readings from Zuozhuan: scrutinize several sections with the following perspectives: classics, history, literature, cultural history and narratives. Further selection will be based on the predilection of students: either by lecture or by student report.
d. A sketchy introduction of the Zuozhuan studies: illuminate the difference and similarity of Zuozhuan, and two other commentaries, Gongyang, and Guliang; and its relationship between Shiji and Guoyu. Explain the heterogeneous features of Zuozhuan studies in different dynasties.

3. Requirement and Evaluation
First Semester:
Term Paper 30%
Midterm 35%
Final exam 35%

Second Semester:
Midterm 50%
Final exam 50%