Classic Chinese Civilisation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

2.5 contact hours/week , 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

In this subject students will be introduced to the distinctive characteristics of Chinese civilization from a comparative East-West framework. The focus will be on how the ancient Chinese found solutions to universal human problems, such as how to set up social and political organizations, the operations of kinship systems, and the impact of human settlement on the environment. The focus will be on Chinese ideas relating to government, religion, belief systems and law. Students will read and interpret key primary texts in English translation and assess the value of ancient Chinese material culture (including art, technology and architecture) in understanding the past. On completion of this subject students will have an overview of key notions in Chinese civilization and an appreciation of the relevance of these to contemporary beliefs and practices.

• understand the development of major philosophical schools in China.
• demonstrate an understanding of their most important arguments.
• be able to discuss the development of certain key terms in the Chinese philosophical and cosmological traditions.
• demonstrate an ability to discuss the ways in which philosophical discourse and correlative thinking relate to important and enduring patterns in Chinese language, politics and culture.
• acquire skills to critically think and analyse.
• understand cultural context.
• and acquire skills in tha areas of research and analysis.

Participation (10%) based on contribution to class discussion in tutorials. One class paper of 1,500 words presented in class and submitted one week after presentation (40%), one research essay of 2,500 words (50%) due during the examination period.

Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 75% of classes without an approved exemption you will not be eligible for a pass in this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Materials supplied by the Institute.

• Heritage of China: Contemporary Perspectives on Chinese Civilization (Paul S. Ropp) University of California Press, 1990

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• acquire written communication skills through essay writing and seminar discussion.
• show attention to detail through essay preparation and writing.
• acquire time management and planning skills through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion.
• acquire public speaking skills through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations.

Previously offered as 110-052 Chinese Thought. Students who have completed Chinese Thought are not eligible to enrol in this subject.