The centrality of using Chinese words as a major element in Chinese artistic expressions is a unique and prominent phenomenon in Chinese culture from past to present. Seal (zhuanshu篆書) and clerical (lishu隸書) scripts are major script types in Chinese calligraphy. Evolved from more pictographic representations to a more simplified form of Chinese writing, the two scripts can be used as effective media to express a variety of cultural and personal values.  

The course begins with an introduction to the historical and theoretical aspects of Chinese calligraphy. This is followed by a focused study of a range of brush techniques (bifa筆法) and investigation of styles and compositional strategies of both seal and clerical scripts. Finally, students will learn various skills and approaches of integrating the calligraphic elements of Chinese characters and the subtle linguistic aspect of Chinese writing to create a richly interdisciplinary artistic experience.  

Although the majority of the course content is skill-based training, the course culminates in the course project where by students will produce a calligraphic work that reflect a personal way of expressing creative ideas through integrating different techniques and skills based on a well-planned creative strategy.