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  2. Understanding Modern China: An Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture [POL2180]

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Understanding Modern China: An Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture

  • Unit Code

    POL2180

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This is an introductory unit to the Chinese (Putonghua) language for beginners, with emphasis on the rudiments of Chinese phonetics and the four tones using the Chinese Pinyin phonetic system. Students will acquire language for basic communication. The unit also introduces students to the study of key aspects of Chinese culture and society. The unit is designed to prepare students for a world where China is emerging as both a regional and world superpower by enhancing their understanding of the society, culture, history and language.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Show an understanding of contemporary Chinese culture and society.
  2. Speak some simple everyday Mandarin for basic communicative purposes with good pronunciation.
  3. Understand some simple everyday spoken Mandarin.
  4. Use Mandarin with a level of skill equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - Level A1 for Understanding (Listening, Reading), Speaking (Interaction + Production), Writing.

Unit Content

  1. Chinese business and political studies.
  2. Chinese contemporary literature and film.
  3. Chinese culture and history.
  4. Chinese language.
  5. Future directions.
  6. Introduction to China and Mandarin.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars, weekly readings, short documentaries.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioIn class language assessment and short essay50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Foreign Languages Press Beijing. (2010). New practical Chinese reader 1. [textbook and workbook]. Beijing, China: FLP.
  • Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, Beijing. (1994). An everyday Chinese-English dictionary. Hong Kong: Joint Publishing Co.
  • Lampton, D. M., (2007). The three faces of Chinese power: Might, money and minds. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • Shambaugh, D. (Eds.). (2005). Power shift: China and Asia's new dynamics. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • Swaine, M. D., & Tellis, A. J. (2000). Interpreting China's grand strategy: Past, present and future. Santa Monica, California: RAND.
  • Leonard, M. (2008). What does China think? London: Fourth Estate.
  • Oxford beginners' Chinese dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Schoppa, R. K. (2011). Revolution and its past: Identities and change in modern Chinese history. (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

Journal References

  • China: An International Journal.
  • China Journal.
  • China Quarterly.
  • Chinese Journal of International Politics.
  • China Security.
  • Journal of Contemporary China Issues.
  • Studies Modern China.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL2180|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Understanding Modern China: An Introduction to Chinese Language and Culture

  • Unit Code

    POL2180

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This is an introductory unit to the Chinese (Putonghua) language for beginners, with emphasis on the rudiments of Chinese phonetics and the four tones using the Chinese Pinyin phonetic system. Students will acquire language for basic communication. The unit also introduces students to the study of key aspects of Chinese culture and society. The unit is designed to prepare students for a world where China is emerging as both a regional and world superpower by enhancing their understanding of the society, culture, history and language.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Show an understanding of contemporary Chinese culture and society.
  2. Speak some simple everyday Mandarin for basic communicative purposes with good pronunciation.
  3. Understand some simple everyday spoken Mandarin.
  4. Use Mandarin with a level of skill equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - Level A1 for Understanding (Listening, Reading), Speaking (Interaction + Production), Writing.

Unit Content

  1. Chinese business and political studies.
  2. Chinese contemporary literature and film.
  3. Chinese culture and history.
  4. Chinese language.
  5. Future directions.
  6. Introduction to China and Mandarin.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, seminars, weekly readings, short documentaries.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioIn class language assessment and short essay50%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Foreign Languages Press Beijing. (2010). New practical Chinese reader 1. [textbook and workbook]. Beijing, China: FLP.
  • Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, Beijing. (1994). An everyday Chinese-English dictionary. Hong Kong: Joint Publishing Co.
  • Schoppa, R. K. (2011). Revolution and its past: Identities and change in modern Chinese history. (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
  • Leonard, M. (2008). What does China think? London: Fourth Estate.
  • Swaine, M. D., & Tellis, A. J. (2000). Interpreting China's grand strategy: Past, present and future. Santa Monica, California: RAND.
  • Shambaugh, D. (Eds.). (2005). Power shift: China and Asia's new dynamics. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • Lampton, D. M., (2007). The three faces of Chinese power: Might, money and minds. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • Oxford beginners' Chinese dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Journal References

  • Journal of Contemporary China Issues.
  • China Security.
  • Chinese Journal of International Politics.
  • China Quarterly.
  • China Journal.
  • China: An International Journal.
  • Studies Modern China.

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL2180|1|2