Chinese 8

Subject CHIN10004 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 27-Jul-2015 to 25-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 07-Aug-2015
Census Date 31-Aug-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 25-Sep-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 2-hour seminars per week.
Total Time Commitment:

Time commitment totals 170 hours.

Prerequisites:

CHIN10003 Chinese 7 or equivalent.

Corequisites:

None.

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None.

Non Allowed Subjects:

CHIN10004 Chinese 4B
CHIN20015 Chinese 4B
CHIN30015 Chinese 4B


Core Participation Requirements:

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/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Jia Gao

Contact

Dr Jia Gao

jia@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject is for students who have a Chinese-speaking background and minimal literacy skills. It aims to help students make the transition from beginning level textbook Chinese to a more advanced level where they can not only deal with original Chinese materials intended for native-speakers of the Chinese language, but also learn how to effectively analyse various socio-cultural issues related to present-day China.

Students will develop their ability to communicate in Chinese at an advanced level and their analytical skills of the Chinese language by engaging with a range of social-cultural topics associated with contemporary Chinese society and culture. Student expertise in the utilisation of both linguistic and cultural resources will be further developed through reading Chinese texts addressing each of socio-cultural situations, writing and presenting opinion pieces on current socio-cultural or socio-political issues in Chinese, conducting newspaper reading comprehension tasks, and participating group discussions. The study of Chinese texts will be supported by brief English passages, video, audio and additional reading materials introducing the cultural topics.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject, students will:
• be familiar with key socio-cultural themes that inform the construction of Chinese society at both local and national levels
• be able to read independently, comprehend authentic written and audio-visual media in various styles, extract information from materials, and analyse that information in both writing and speaking
• be able to discuss social and cultural issues relevant to contemporary China, and express their views on a range of issues, affiliated with key cultural situations, in both writing and speaking
• be able to expand their experience of Chinese writing styles, and further develop their skills in translation at an advanced level.

Assessment:

Homework and class writing tests 10% (due weekly throughout semester), mid-semester test 15%, an analytical piece of written work 500 words 10% (week 10), an oral presentation 15% (week 12), a 2 hour final written examination 50% (examination period).

Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 80% 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.

Prescribed Texts:

New step - Intensive Reading Course of Intermediate Chinese Vol. III (Xia), by Yuan Liangzhen and Zhang Yanhua. Bejing: Peking University Press, 2007.

Recommended Texts:

None.

Breadth Options:

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

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.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject, students will:
• be able to apply their Chinese language skills and socio-cultural understanding to issues of public debate
• be able to further develop analytical skills in cross-cultural interaction through active and purposeful communication gained in the course
• be able to engage in critical debate over a range of socio-cultural and socio-political issues relevant to present-day China
• be able to conduct independent research and analysis over a range of issues concerning China, and articulate their opinions in Chinese in writing and speaking.

Notes:

Students will have their appropriate entry point determined by the Chinese Program, based on evidence of prior learning and/or results of a placement test as required. Please refer the following link for further information: http://www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au/help/undergraduate_students/placement

Related Course(s): Diploma in Modern Languages (Chinese)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Chinese
Chinese
Chinese
Chinese Language Major
Related Breadth Track(s): Chinese - Entry Point 7

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