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    A History of Love:
    Online Program

    A History of Love:

    by Northwestern College Prep

    A History of Love: examines Chinese romance through literature, drama, performance, and film, developing close reading, research, and academic writing.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    A History of Love at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Rising juniors and seniors; GPA 3.0+

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $5,781

    Duration

    6 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    LiteratureHistoryFilmHumanities
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: Monday/Wednesday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM; 6 hours/week
    Assessment style: Written assignments and class discussion
    Credit: 1 Northwestern credit unit
    Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
    Instructor: Paola Zamperini
    Course materials: Available on Canvas

    A History of Love summary

    This Northwestern course uses Chinese romance narratives to examine how ideas about love, marriage, gender, and sexuality change across history and media.

    Students analyze literature, drama, performance, and film through English translations, class discussions, and written assignments.

    It suits curious readers who want to connect literary interpretation with cultural history and develop independent academic thinking.

    What is A History of Love:?

    A History of Love: is an undergraduate Chinese literature course offered through Northwestern University's College Preparation Program. Its full topic title is A History of Love: Chinese Romance in Time, and it examines narratives from the eighth century through the 21st century. Plays, theatrical texts, performance, and cinema provide different ways to investigate changing ideas about romance.

    Students read primary sources in English translation alongside secondary scholarship and literary theory. Synchronous discussions and written assignments connect love and marriage with gender, sexuality, religion, and social pressures. Paola Zamperini teaches the course, with an emphasis on independent research and academic writing.

    Why Succeed highlights A History of Love

    • Studying romance across literature, theater, and film encourages students to compare how different media shape meaning.

    • English translations make close study of Chinese sources possible without prior Chinese-language knowledge.

    • Primary texts and theoretical scholarship offer a concrete introduction to humanities research methods.

    • The undergraduate classroom brings College Prep students together with Northwestern and visiting university students.

    • Published objectives emphasize independent research, academic thinking, and writing rather than subject exposure alone.

    Who is A History of Love for?

    Best for

    Readers interested in Chinese literature, cultural history, drama, film, or gender and sexuality studies who want an undergraduate academic challenge.

    Not ideal if

    You want conversational Chinese practice or a self-paced course that can fit around frequent scheduling conflicts.

    Is A History of Love worth it?

    This course is worth considering if you want to test your interest in literary and cultural analysis through real undergraduate coursework. Its combination of primary sources, theory, discussion, and writing gives you specific academic practices to develop and reflect on.

    The commitment is substantial: scheduled classes sit alongside reading and written work, and the tuition warrants careful comparison with other ways to explore the subject. Choose it for the academic fit and credit-bearing experience; participation alone does not guarantee admission to Northwestern.

    Sean, founder of Succeed

    Sean

    Founder, Succeed

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $5,781; includes Synchronous online credit-course classes., Required course materials available on Canvas., Free Writing Place tutoring while enrolled..

    Dates and time commitment

    6 weeks; Monday/Wednesday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM; 6 hours/week.

    Provider details

    Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Students complete written assignments analyzing the course's Chinese literary and cultural sources.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does A History of Love need?

    Effort level

    High for a pre-college humanities course.

    Best started

    Allow four to six weeks before a future application deadline for your statement, school transcripts, and any English test.

    Main challenge

    Sustaining close reading and academic writing alongside fixed class meetings.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft a personal statement connecting a rewarding academic experience with your interest in this course.

    • Ask your school about official transcript delivery and review any English proficiency requirement.

    • Practice annotating a translated literary passage and supporting an interpretation with textual details.

    • Build a weekly plan that protects both class attendance and independent study time.

    Useful if

    You want to test readiness for undergraduate humanities study.

    What do students do on A History of Love?

    You examine Chinese romance narratives through literary and historical analysis, using primary texts and related scholarship. Discussion and written work connect changing ideas about love with performance, gender, sexuality, and social context.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Access required course materials through Canvas.

    2. 2

      Read primary sources in English translation and related secondary scholarship.

    3. 3

      Join scheduled online classes to discuss texts and their cultural contexts.

    4. 4

      Compare literary, dramatic, and cinematic representations of romance.

    5. 5

      Complete written assignments that develop analysis and independent academic thinking.

    A History of Love dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    1 April 2026

    Summer credit-course application deadline.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    22 June-2 August 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Rising high school juniors or seniors.

    • Completed sophomore or junior year of high school.

    • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

    • No prior Chinese literature knowledge required.

    • English proficiency testing required for qualifying non-English-language backgrounds.

    • Domestic and international applicants may apply.

    How much does A History of Love cost?

    Course fee

    $5,781 — One online credit class.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable.
    • Deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; credited toward the course fee.
    • Tuition scholarship: Need-based support — Domestic rising seniors with financial need and strong academic and extracurricular achievement.
    • Former-student fee waiver: Application fee waiver — Previous CPP students complete the designated waiver form.

    What's included

    Synchronous online credit-course classes., Required course materials available on Canvas., Free Writing Place tutoring while enrolled.

    How to apply to A History of Love

    1. 1

      Review Northwestern's College Credit admission requirements and select the course.

    2. 2

      Write approximately 500 words about a rewarding academic experience and your reasons for choosing the program.

    3. 3

      List extracurricular activities with dates, descriptions, and your roles.

    4. 4

      Arrange official English-language transcripts and English proficiency results when required.

    5. 5

      Complete the program application and pay the $60 nonrefundable application fee.

    6. 6

      After acceptance, activate your NetID, set up guest access and Northwestern email, and pay the deposit.

    7. 7

      Complete SchoolDoc registration so College Prep staff can register your course.

    Next step with Succeed

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    Learning format

    Classes meet synchronously online on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, totaling six scheduled hours each week. Required materials are available on Canvas, and students use English translations for discussions and written assignments.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Paola Zamperini teaches the course.

    • Northwestern-affiliated instructors expect undergraduate-level commitment and involvement.

    • Free Writing Place tutoring is available while enrolled.

    • The SPS Help Desk and Northwestern IT Support Center provide technical support.

    • AccessibleNU coordinates accommodations for eligible students.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Classes meet live on Mondays and Wednesdays.
    • Published meeting times are 9:00 AM-12:00 PM.
    • Plan for six scheduled class hours per week.
    • Attendance is expected, and conflicts should be discussed with the program office and instructor.

    Tech requirements

    • A computer with reliable internet access.

    • A speaker, microphone, and webcam or built-in camera.

    • Access to Canvas and your Northwestern email account.

    • Ability to create, upload, and share documents and read PDFs.

    • A quiet workspace with your camera active during online sessions.

    Assessment style

    The course combines written assignments and class discussion within Northwestern's letter-graded credit-course framework.

    • Use English translations in written assignments.
    • Discuss primary texts and related scholarship in class.
    • Develop methods for analyzing primary and secondary sources.
    • View your final grade through CAESAR.

    Portfolio and outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Students complete written assignments analyzing the course's Chinese literary and cultural sources.

    • One Northwestern credit unit upon successful completion.

    • A course grade recorded in CAESAR.

    • An unofficial transcript and an official transcript available on request.

    A History of Love FAQs

    No. Discussions and written assignments use English translations. Students who can read Classical Chinese or early modern vernacular may use original texts.

    It examines romance in Chinese literature and culture from the eighth century through the 21st century, including drama, performance, cinema, gender, sexuality, religion, and social change.

    This is a synchronous online course. The verified schedule has Monday and Wednesday meetings from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

    Paola Zamperini is the listed instructor.

    The course belongs to Northwestern's credit-course offering. Each credit course normally carries one Northwestern credit unit, typically equivalent to four quarter hours or two and two-thirds semester hours elsewhere.

    All required course materials are available on Canvas.

    No. College Preparation Program participation can form part of an application profile, but it does not guarantee admission to Northwestern.

    Alternatives to A History of Love

    Compare a literature research pathway with creative writing courses if you want a different way to explore texts and develop academic interests.

    Alternatives to A History of Love

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Introductory Topics in Chinese Literature and Culture, Asian Languages and Cultures, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, 2026 Summer: Class Descriptions - Northwestern University
    • International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Pre-College Summer Programs for Credit: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • College Preparation Program — Summer 2026 Student Handbook
    • A History of Love:: Northwestern University School of Professional Studies

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity verified

    • Delivery format checked

    • Session dates checked

    • Application deadline checked

    • Admission requirements reviewed

    • Online credit pricing checked

    • Scholarship criteria reviewed

    • Technology requirements reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.