The art of Chinese calligraphy originated over 4,000 years ago in ancient China. It blends writing Chinese characters with the delicate strokes of an artist. The Chinese language differs from most other languages by its use of symbols over letters. What makes the language difficult to learn also makes it beautiful to recreate with ink on a scroll. Some colleges across the United States offer courses in Chinese calligraphy within their Chinese studies departments.
Emory University
Emory University located in Atlanta, Georgia offers the course CHN 210-00, Chinese Calligraphy. In this class students gain an understanding of the history of calligraphy. They learn the basic calligraphic strokes and characters of brush calligraphy. No prerequisites are required but a basic knowledge of the meaning of some Chinese characters is helpful.
Colorado College
Chinese calligraphy at Colorado College is offered in the course CN250: Topics as Topics: The Art of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting. The course teaches students about the history of Chinese calligraphy. It also instructs students on the tools and materials necessary to create Chinese calligraphic paintings. Though the class only meets once a week, students are required to practice the art outside of class.
Simmons College
Boston's Simmons College's East Asian Studies program offers a Chinese Calligraphy course. Students taking this course receive four undergraduate degree credits. This introductory course discusses the history of Chinese calligraphy. Students also learn the Chinese characters used in their Calligraphy drawings. During the course students learn and practice using calligraphy brushes as well.
Haverford College
Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania offers EAST H218 Chinese Calligraphy as an Art Form. This class is also part of the Fine Arts course offerings. Students that take this course not only learn and apply Chinese calligraphic brush strokes; they also learn how the art of Chinese calligraphy influenced some of the great Western artists in history. Students do not need to know Chinese to take this course.
University of Houston
This public university with over 37,000 students offers the course CHNS 1209: Chinese Calligraphy as part of the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences College. This two-credit class teaches the art of Chinese calligraphy using a brush pen. Through the study of Chinese calligraphy, students learn about the Chinese characters in the Chinese language.
