Chinese Calligraphy
Brush and ink technique anchors this MIT introduction to Chinese calligraphy, taught as both a classical discipline and a living art form. Students practice basic strokes and characters while studying how calligraphy's role in Chinese society has shifted from antiquity to the present, tying the practice to broader questions of philosophy and aesthetics. The course combines hands-on studio work with museum visits and interdisciplinary readings connecting brushwork to painting, poetry, and material culture. No knowledge of Chinese language is required to enroll. Coursework builds toward a final video project in which students document their own progress with the brush and reflect on what the practice revealed about Chinese cultural values. Materials are published through MIT OpenCourseWare under a Creative Commons license, including the syllabus, project prompts, and reference images used in class.