We are pleased to announce the return of summer online Manchu courses offered by Manchu Studies Group members. Please find below information about the beginner’s course offered by Dr. Sarah BRAMAO-RAMOS and the intermediate course offered by Dr. He BIAN, including instructions for applicants.
Course 1: Introduction to the Manchu Language
This 12-week course is intended for scholars at all career stages in any field interested in acquiring basic reading skills of the Manchu language, with a focus on the standardized script in use throughout the Qing dynasty. Class will cover the alphabet/syllabary, basic grammar, and common vocabulary. By the end of the course, students will be able to transcribe, read, and translate short Manchu texts with the help of a dictionary.
Prerequisites:
This class is designed for self-learners and relies on self-study outside of the classroom. It is also primarily intended for scholars working on various aspects of Chinese or Northeast Asian history between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries. Members of the general public are welcome to apply but the available seats may be prioritized for scholarly purposes first. This class is limited to 15 participants.
Instructor:
Dr. Sarah Bramao-Ramos
email: [email protected]
Dr. Bramao-Ramos is a cultural historian of late imperial China, with a particular focus on Manchu-language books.
Please note, this course has no affiliation with any academic institution, and there is no possibility of formal course credit.
Schedule:
The course will meet for 1.5 hours on Zoom at 10am Eastern time on Mondays from June 1 to August 17 (12 meetings total). In addition to this Zoom meeting, students will need to spend approximately 3–4 hours outside of Zoom completing readings and exercises. All materials will be provided in advance.
How to apply:
Please fill out and submit the following Google Form, which will ask for:
- A short CV (1-2 pp)
- A one-paragraph summary of your past experience with Manchu (if any)
- A one-paragraph explanation of why you are interested in learning Manchu, and how you might (if at all) intend to use it in your future study/work.
- Your anticipated summer schedule, including your capacity to commit to completing 3–4 hours of readings and exercises in advance of the Zoom meeting each week.
The deadline to apply is May 11. Accepted students will be notified on or before May 18.
Fee:
- Student rate: $50
- Standard rate (non-student): $150
To support accessibility, reduced-rate spots are available. Applicants are welcome to self-identify for this option in the application form.
Students will be asked to provide feedback on learning materials throughout and at the end of the class.
Course 2: Reading practices for Manchu learners
This 4-week course is intended for scholars at all career stages in any field who already learned basic Manchu grammar and script. The intended outcome is to get beyond the beginner level, using short excerpts of Qing-era Manchu texts to practice reading and translation. Ideally, by the end of this class you will feel ready to embark on more Manchu reading on your own.
Prerequisites:
This class is intended for early intermediate-level Manchu learners who have completed study of basic grammar and can read and translate sentences/simple texts with the aid of a dictionary. More advanced Manchu readers, especially those already engaging in primary source-based research, will probably find this class too easy. Members of the general public are welcome to apply but the available seats may be prioritized for scholarly purposes first. This class is limited to 12 participants.
Instructor:
Dr. He BIAN 邊和
email: [email protected]
Professor Bian is a historian of Ming-Qing China and early modern science/medicine. She has recently published (co-authored with Mårten Söderblom Saarela) The Manchu Mirrors and the Knowledge of Plants and Animals in High Qing China (Harvard Asia Center, 2025). She is currently co-editor of the journal Saksaha: a Journal of Manchu Studies.
Please note, this course has no affiliation with any academic institution, and there is no possibility of formal course credit.
Schedule:
The course will meet twice a week for 80 minutes each session on Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 7-30 (8 meetings total), 11am-12:20pm US EDT. Students will be expected to prepare notes at home before coming to class with questions. All materials will be provided in advance.
How to apply:
Please fill out and submit the following Google Form, which will ask for:
- A short CV (1-2 pp)
- A one-paragraph summary of your past experience with Manchu (if any)
- A one-paragraph explanation of why you are interested in learning Manchu, and how you might (if at all) intend to use it in your future study/work.
- Your anticipated summer schedule, including your capacity to commit to completing 3–4 hours of readings and exercises in advance of the Zoom meeting each week.
The deadline to apply is May 11.
Fee:
In lieu of payment, students will be asked to record and share their learning experience and provide feedback on the reading material.