What is the meaning of 'six-week course'? Edit: I found the answer. In the preface to the english edition it says

This book is a translation from the orginal Chinese text of notes based
on a six-week course on algebraic curves and Riemann surfaces taught at
Beijing University in 1982.

However, in the English Translation of the Preface to the Chinese Edition it says

In the summer of 1982,1 had the honor of teaching a course on algebraic
curves at Beijing University. The course met six hours a week for a period
of six weeks. This book is a thoroughly edited version of the notes taken
during this course.

So this is like 3 hours a week for a period of 12 weeks so about 1 semester then.
I accidentally checked the english translation to the preface to the chinese edition around based on user111388's question 'Are those numbers from Chinese university terms?' Thank you, user111388.

I'm planning to self-study Phillip A. Griffiths - Introduction to algebraic curves and am wondering about how long it would take to finish. I can reasonably estimate how long this book would take to finish if said book was used in some university and is expected to be completed in a semester.
In the preface of this book, it says:

based on a six-week course on algebraic curves and Riemann surfaces taught at
Beijing University in 1982.

I understand a regular semester to take about 16 weeks and a summer semester to be about 6 weeks, but I'm not sure if the above quote refers to 3/8-ths of a regular semester or a full summer semester.
Context: https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/3724134/ordinarily-how-long-does-it-take-to-complete-phillip-a-griffiths-introductio
It is not uncommon for visiting scholars/professors to give a short high-intensity course during their period of visit. These have little relation to the usual/normal university semester/summer schedule since they are (1) tied to the limited visit of somebody, and (2) aimed at people not burdened by classes on the normal schedule (not undergraduates or early grad students in the US).
I have seen these as a full day once a week, half days several times a week - whatever can fit into the schedules of the visitor and the pool of people who want to take the course.