PALEOGRAPHY

Introduction to the Major

Paleography is an interdisciplinary field. As ancient written materials pertain to linguistics, philology, literature, archaeology, history, philosophy, law, military affairs, and medicine, the scope of paleographic research is exceptionally broad. In addition to direct research on ancient scripts themselves (including character interpretation, the history of script development, and the structural principles of writing), the use of ancient written materials to explore various aspects of early Chinese civilization also falls within the extensive research scope of this discipline.

The richness and immense significance of ancient written materials have established the unique role of paleography in the study of ancient Chinese civilization. At Jilin University, the Paleography major is taught within the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, deeply integrating with fields such as Ancient Chinese, Classical Philology, Pre-Qin and Han Dynasty Literature, and Ancient Literary Criticism.

Training Objectives

The undergraduate program in Paleography focuses on building a solid foundation in Ancient Chinese and historical philological research, with particular emphasis on the fields of oracle bone studies, bronze inscription studies, and bamboo and silk manuscript studies.

The program aims to cultivate researchers with an international perspective and a sense of responsibility towards national cultural heritage, while equipping students with extensive professional knowledge, excellent research skills, and innovative capabilities.

Graduates can engage in paleographic research, contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional Chinese culture.

Graduation Requirements

• Possess a deep and broad understanding of excavated ancient texts and traditional classical materials, grasp the key issues, major achievements, and developmental trends in the field of Paleography.
• Master the research methods of paleography, capable of systematically analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating ancient written materials and academic viewpoints.
• Proficiently use at least two languages for reading materials, communication, and scientific writing, while developing a broad academic vision that integrates tradition and modernity, East and West.

Main Courses

• Paleography Studies
• Classical Philology
• Chinese Literary Masterpieces and Figures
• Fundamentals of Linguistics
• History of Ancient Chinese Literature I
• History of Ancient Chinese Literature II
• History of Ancient Chinese Literature III
• Bibliography
• Exegetical Studies
• Phonology
• Cataloging Studies
• Ancient Chinese I
• Ancient Chinese II
• Research on Excavated Ancient Texts
• Dunhuang Manuscript Philology

Research Directions in the Paleography Major

• Origin and Development of Ancient Scripts: Investigating the formation, transformation processes of ancient scripts and their relationship with modern writing systems.
• Oracle Bone and Bronze Inscription Studies: Deciphering oracle bone and bronze inscriptions, analyzing their roles and significance in ancient society.
• Relationship between Ancient Scripts and Culture: Exploring the influence of ancient writing on religion, politics, and culture in ancient times.
• Study of Ancient Texts and Inscriptions: Analyzing the content and historical value of ancient texts, documents, and stone inscriptions.

Degree

Graduates are awarded a Bachelor's Degree.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Paleography major can work in the following fields:

• Universities and Research Institutes: Teaching and researching historical linguistics, paleography, and Chinese philology.
• Journalism and Publishing: Editing and publishing books and research materials on ancient languages and philology.
• Government Agencies and Enterprises: Working in fields such as communication, cultural promotion, ancient script authentication, and Chinese language education.

Some Related Majors

• History
• World History
• Archaeology
• Cultural Heritage and Museology
• Cultural Heritage Conservation Technology
• Foreign History and Languages
• Cultural Heritage
• History of Science

Jilin University is a leading institution in China for training in the Paleography major. If you are interested, you can explore the university's admissions and training programs in more detail. Also, contact the university to inquire about whether it admits international students.