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Chinese calligraphy tools laid out on a surface, including a brush, a brush rest, a piece of paper, an ink stone, and an ink

Course21G.1112 lectures

Chinese Calligraphy

Kang Zhou · Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Start with lecture 1 At MIT OpenCourseWare

About

Chinese calligraphy (书法 / 書法, shūfǎ)—the art of expressive brush writing—is one of the most esteemed and enduring artistic traditions in China. This introductory course invites students to explore calligraphy as both a classical discipline and a living art form that continues to evolve in contemporary contexts.

The course integrates technical training, historical and cultural study, and reflective practice. Students will not only gain hands-on experience with the brush and ink, but also investigate the evolving role of calligraphy in Chinese society, from antiquity to the present day. Through museum visits, interdisciplinary exploration, and individual projects, students will gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, philosophy, and aesthetic values. A final video project allows students to reflect on their personal journey with calligraphy and document their artistic growth.

No prior knowledge of the Chinese language is required.

Lectures

Projects for Chinese Calligraphy: A Project-Based Approach

  1. Student Project 1: How to Make a Chinese Calligraphy Brush Stand Video
  2. Student Project 2: Ink and Thread: Incorporating Chinese Calligraphy in Fashion Video

Syllabus and materials

At MIT OpenCourseWare, as the course publishes them.

Credits and licence

Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Global Studies and Languages
Teacher
Kang Zhou
Term
Spring 2024
Level
Undergraduate
Language
English
Subjects
Languages and linguistics
Source
MIT OpenCourseWare
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, as MIT OpenCourseWare states it. Non-commercial use only. MIT OpenCourseWare's terms
Attribution
Kang Zhou. Chinese Calligraphy. Spring 2024. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu/. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.
Who can watch
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