University of Sydney / Faculty of Arts / Department of Chinese Studies / Undergraduate / Honours

The Honours program in Chinese Studies

What is Honours?

Honours (also known as Fourth Year) is a special program that would let you concentrate on Chinese Studies in a way that is not possible in the ordinary degree program. Honours students stay at university for an extra year to deepen their knowledge of their chosen subject area by taking advanced coursework and writing an Honours thesis. It is also possible to arrange joint Honours with another subject area (e.g., Linguistics), provided that you qualify for entry to both Honours programs.

For the Honours thesis, you undertake your own research project and write it up, using your creativity and demonstrating your ability to produce a substantial piece of scholarly writing. For many students the Honours thesis is the high point of their time at university. It's a challenge, it gives you a new kind of independence, and you are not left completely alone because there is a staff member to help you.

For information on prizes and scholarships of special interest to prospective Honours students, please click on the following:

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Why do Honours?

  • An Honours degree has more value with discerning employers than an ordinary pass degree. It certifies that you have skills and aptitudes that may be important to them.
  • With a good Honours degree, you can apply for admission to a research degree (MPhil or PhD). If your results are outstanding, you may be awarded a postgraduate scholarship.
  • A PhD, in turn, might equip you for a research career, perhaps combined with university teaching. PhD candidature is an excellent way of learning more about the issues that most interest you, and, in Australia, Honours is the normal pre-PhD training program.
  • Research is fun! If you enjoy studying Chinese language, culture or society, want to study it in greater depth, and are excited when you make discoveries, the Honours program may be right for you.
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What do I need to get into Honours?

If you are earning 70 percent or higher in your Chinese Studies subjects, we encourage you to start thinking about Honours. Within our Honours program, there are a range of options for students with different proficiency levels. However, the more Chinese you have learned before you start, the more interesting the options that will be available to you.

The minimum requirements for admission to Honours in Chinese Studies are as follows:

  • A major in Chinese Studies plus sufficient additional credit points selected from CHNS and ASNS 261x (or 211x) and 361x units of study to reach 48 senior credit points;
  • A Credit average in all qualifying units of study.

In addition, the following are strongly recommended:

  • ASNS 3690 Approaches to Research in Asian Studies (or the old CHNS 3902). This may be counted towards the required 48 senior credit points by all students except those whose qualifying senior credit points include CHNS 2601 / 2602, Chinese 2A and 2B (Lower Intermediate) (or the old CHNS 2101 / 2102, Second-Year Chinese).
  • At least a year of Classical Chinese.
  • As many as possible of the units of study listed under Recommended units of study from other subject areas.
  • (For students who have taken CHNS 2601 / 2602 or 2101 / 2102) 60 credit points of senior CHNS units of study, preferably including at least 24 credit points of in-country study.
  • (For students who are interested in the study of premodern China) As much Classical Chinese as possible (priority 1) plus as much Japanese language as possible (priority 2).
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What will be in the Honours program in 2009?

The heart of the Honours program is the research and writing, over two semesters, of a thesis of 12000 to 16000 words, in English, on a topic in Chinese Studies that is chosen by the student and approved by the department. Chinese-language material must be used. Supervision is available in a wide range of fields, including:

  • Contemporary Chinese politics, culture and society
  • Contemporary, modern and classical Chinese literature
  • Chinese history
  • Chinese linguistics
  • The study of gender in Chinese cultural contexts.

If a substantial proportion of the thesis is to consist of translation, the written approval of the chair of department must be obtained in advance. Normally, not more than one third of a thesis may comprise translation. The thesis counts for one third of the final Honours mark.

In addition to the Honours thesis, students undertake four coursework components, of which one may be supervised reading in an area that especially interests the student. The coursework components will be selected, in consultation with the chair of department (or nominee), according to the student's proficiency in Chinese. Advanced language work will be available for students who have completed only the basic three-year sequence in Chinese language from beginning level.

The Honours-level seminars available in 2009 are:

  • Human Rights in Asia (First Semester)
  • Society and Individual in Post Mao China (First Semester)
  • Research Methodology in Modern Chinese Studies (First Semester)
  • Society and State in China, 1368-1911 (Second Semester)
  • The Chinese City from Text to Screen (Second Semester)

Each coursework component requires 5,000 words of essay-type assessment (or equivalent). Students who need a fourth component because they are not eligible for the advanced language options will normally undertake supervised reading in First Semester.

The department will assist individual students to work out an Honours program that is relevant to their needs and interests, within the limits of available resources. It is also positively interested in arranging joint Honours programs for suitably qualified students in accordance with Faculty resolutions.

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