Historical-comparative linguistics and Chinese dialectology

Grading appears generous; some students find it easy to get an A if they put in the effort later on, though others mention high standards from the professor.

The workload is considered heavy, with weekly readings and several assignments. Students report spending around 10-12 hours per week on the course, including quizzes and essays.

Assessments include weekly readings, three to four reading-based assignments, two quizzes, an essay, and group projects (GP). There is no homework during review week.

Professor Shi is described as engaging and helpful. He provides clear instructions and is willing to answer questions in tutorials, making the course accessible for students with varying levels of dialect knowledge.

Multiple students recommend putting in consistent effort throughout the semester, especially on assignments and readings, as it can lead to a good GPA. Also, feel free to ask Professor Shi questions during tutorials.