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Richter, Matthias Ludwig

Associate Professor

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Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • My research focuses on early Chinese politico-philosophical literature. I am especially interested in how the texts from pre-imperial China, which have been transmitted to us in a form they were given only in the early empire, were understood at the time when they were composed before the Chinese empire was founded. I apply methods of historical textual criticism and make extensive use of newly excavated manuscripts to explore notions of textual identity in pre-imperial China. This new approach to early Chinese literature will in many ways lead to a re-writing of the history of early Chinese thought.

keywords

  • early China, literature, philosophy, manuscript studies, textual criticism, palaeography

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • ASIA 4001 - Advanced Language Co-Seminar Arts and Humanities
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2024
    Acts as a Co-Seminar for advanced Asian Studies students.
  • CHIN 3321 - Political Thought in Ancient China
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
    Focuses on the political, religious, philosophical and literary aspects of ancient Chinese civilization (1500 B.C.-A.D. 200). Special attention is paid to foundational works that influenced later developments in Chinese culture. All readings are in English and taught in English. Recommended prerequisite: CHIN 1012 or CHIN 1051. Same as HUMN 3321.
  • CHIN 4041 - Introduction to Classical Chinese
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2024
    Develops basic competence in the Classical Chinese, the language in which the foundational texts of Chinese culture are written. Classical Chinese forms the basis for the literary language used in China until the early 20th century. We will begin to read parts of early Chinese philosophical texts, such as Laozi and the Analects of Confucius. Formerly CHIN 4210. Same as CHIN 5041.
  • CHIN 4210 - Introduction to Classical Chinese
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023
    Offers a systematic introduction to the Classical Chinese language, in which the foundational texts of Chinese culture are written and which forms the basis for the literary language used in China until the early 20th century. We will begin to read parts of early Chinese philosophical texts, such as Laozi and the Analects of Confucius. Formerly CHIN 4210. Same as CHIN 5041.
  • CHIN 5041 - Introduction to Classical Chinese
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2024
    Develops basic competence in the Classical Chinese, the language in which the foundational texts of Chinese culture are written. Classical Chinese forms the basis for the literary language used in China until the early 20th century. We will begin to read parts of early Chinese philosophical texts, such as Laozi and the Analects of Confucius. Same as CHIN 4041.
    • ... more

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