Program overview
Classical Philology is essentially the study of ancient Chinese books. You'll learn how to read, organize, and preserve the classics that have been passed down, such as the *Analects* and *Records of the Grand Historian*. Core courses include Introduction to Classical Philology, Bibliography, Edition Studies, Textual Criticism, Paleography, Phonology, and Exegetics. It may sound complex, but it's really about identifying different editions of ancient books, correcting errors, and understanding the language of the ancients. This major is perfect for students who love classical Chinese, have patience and attention to detail, and are passionate about traditional culture. Many Chinese universities have deep roots in this field—Peking University, Fudan University, and Nanjing University all have dedicated ancient text research institutes, with libraries housing vast collections of precious ancient books where you can touch pages that are hundreds of years old. During your studies, you'll work with primary materials like oracle bone inscriptions, bamboo and silk manuscripts, and Dunhuang documents—it's quite rewarding.