Programs in Chinese Studies
The Chinese Studies program offers units of study in Chinese language, society and culture for a wide range of students, e.g.:
- complete beginners;
- students who have already made some progress in learning Chinese as a second language;
- students with extensive prior knowledge of spoken Chinese but little knowledge of characters;
- native speakers who, on starting university, can already read Chinese fluently.
The recommended pathways to a Chinese Studies major for each broad group of students are set out below, under "The Chinese Studies major."
The department teaches Modern Standard Chinese (putonghua, also known as Mandarin). Students also have the opportunity to learn Classical Chinese, the gateway to much of China's rich cultural heritage. All lectures, classes and tutorials begin in the first week of each semester.
Students may be required to show their high school or other relevant transcripts to confirm the appropriateness of their enrolment. The department will assist students who have enrolled in an inappropriate unit of study to correct their enrolment. It reserves the right to place students in the unit of study that it deems most suitable for them. Students who fail to withdraw from an inappropriate enrolment when directed to do so will be reported to the Dean.
The Chinese Studies Major
The major in Chinese Studies consists of 36 senior CHNS credit points. Especially advanced students may request special permission to crosslist designated Asian Studies units of study to the Chinese Studies major (See "Recommended units of study from other subject areas" for information about how to do this).
Every unit of study in the pass undergraduate program is worth 6 credit points.
All students who are seriously interested in the Chinese language and Chinese society and culture are advised to take as many CHNS units of study as possible (up to the permitted maximum of 60 senior credit points), as well as the ASNS and other directly relevant units of study listed below under "Recommended units of study from other subject areas."
Why take more than 36 senior credit points in Chinese Studies?
The Chinese language is exceptionally rich and challenging–a vital tool not only for communication, but also for in-depth study of the monumental changes that the Chinese economy and Chinese society have undergone since 1949. China's long history of recorded civilisation has left masterpieces of literature and historical and philosophical writing that can be appreciated in translation–but the original is better still.
The 36-credit-point major offers a basic introduction to the Chinese world, but further study is essential for the serious student. A semester (or at least a summer program) in China or Taiwan is also recommended. You cannot expect to learn to speak Chinese well unless you are prepared to study it intensively in-country.
Pathways to a Chinese Studies major
Please click on the link that best describes you:
Students who will be studying Chinese as a second or foreign language (aka "non-background-speakers")
Students who speak (but not read) a Chinese language fluently
Students who can read Chinese fluently
The following information about typical patterns of progression is offered to assist students with varying levels of proficiency in planning their majors. Of course, if you have already taken senior CHNS credit points under the pre-2006 codes, these will still count towards your major.
Students who will be studying Chinese as a second or foreign language (aka "non-background-speakers")
There is a four-year "ladder" of basic language instruction, with various supplementary options along the way. Only units whose first digit is "2" or higher count towards the major. You can step off with a major after the third level if you take a supplementary option, or you can progress to level four if your degree structure permits this.
The basic "ladder" is structured as follows:
- CHNS1101 / 1102, Chinese 1A and 1B (For Beginners)
- CHNS2601 / 2602, Chinese 2A and 2B (Lower Intermediate)
- CHNS3601 / 3602, Chinese 3A and 3B (Upper Intermediate)
- CHNS3603 / 3604, Chinese 4A and 4B (Advanced)
- CHNS3605 / 3606, Advanced Chinese Studies A and B
In addition, you are strongly advised to take ASNS1101, Introduction to Chinese Civilisation in the first semester of your first year at university.
Senior electives that will be available in 2009 for you to count towards your major are:
- CHNS2611 / 2612, Classical Chinese A and B
- CHNS3608/3609, Chinese for Business Purposes A and B
- CHNS3633, Lu Xun and China's Modern Literature
- CHNS3634, Gender in Modern Chinese Literature
- CHNS3642, Governing China: The Premodern Heritage
- CHNS3645, Classical Chinese Prose
- CHNS2650 to 2657, Chinese In-country Study
ASNS units of study that focus on China can be counted towards an Asian Studies major.
Students who speak (but not read) a Chinese language fluently
If you are already fluent in a Chinese language (e.g., putonghua or Cantonese) but have limited knowledge of characters, you may enter the language program either in a specially designed first-year sequence or at the advanced level, depending on how much you know. Please do not be frightened by the word "advanced." It is a relative term, and you can rest assured that the assigned materials have been chosen with the needs of all appropriately enrolled students in mind.
The first-year sequence:
- CHNS1201 / 1202, Chinese 1C and 1D (For Advanced Beginners).
Core subjects for the major:
- CHNS3603 / 3604, Chinese 4A and 4B (Advanced).
- CHNS2611/2612, Classical Chinese A and B
- CHNS3605/3606, Advanced Chinese Studies A and B
- CHNS3608/3609, Chinese for Business Purposes A and B
- CHNS3633, Lu Xun and China's Modern Literature
- CHNS3634, Gender in Modern Chinese Literature
- CHNS3642, Governing China: The Premodern Heritage
- CHNS3645, Classical Chinese Prose
- Chinese In-Country Study
- ASNS3617, Citizens and Politics in China Today (with permission)
- ASNS3619, China and Globalisation (with permission)
Students who can read Chinese fluently
If you can already read Chinese fluently, you can move straight to the study of Chinese society and culture, perhaps taking the time to learn some Classical Chinese first. Here is the recommended program for students who can read Chinese fluently, speak a Chinese language (e.g., putonghua, Cantonese) and would like to study Chinese culture, literature and society in a Western academic context.
The recommended first-year sequence:
- ASNS1101, Introduction to Chinese Civilisation
- CHNS2612, Classical Chinese B
Senior electives that will be available in 2009 for you to count towards your major are:
- CHNS2612, Classical Chinese B
- CHNS3633, Lu Xun and China's Modern Literature
- CHNS3634, Gender in Modern Chinese Literature
- CHNS3642, Governing China: The Premodern Heritage
- CHNS3645, Classical Chinese Prose
- Chinese In-Country Study
- ASNS3617, Citizens and Politics in China Today (with permission)
- ASNS3619, China and Globalisation (with permission)
Recommended units of study from other subject areas
Cross-listing to the Chinese Studies major is normally not permitted. However, the following units of study are strongly recommended (as available) for all Chinese Studies students. In addition, students whose first CHNS senior unit of study is CHNS3603 or CHNS3604, who have successfully completed HSC Chinese for Background Speakers or who can already read Chinese fluently may request special permission to count certain designated units towards the Chinese Studies major. These designated units are marked with an asterisk (*) below. Permission must be sought through the unit coordinator by Wednesday of Second Week in the relevant semester.
- Asian Studies
* ASNS2611, China’s Last Dynasties: What Changed?
* ASNS2618, Remaking Chinese Society, 1949–Present
ASNS2675, Gender in East Asian History and Culture
* ASNS3617, Citizens and Politics in China Today
ASNS3618, Popular China
* ASNS3619 China and Globalisation - History
HSTY2606 China in its World
HSTY2639 Hong Kong in Modern China - Studies in Religion
RLST2629 Confucian Spirituality
RLST2630 Taoism: Potency and Immortality