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Overview

Chinese is a fascinating modern language with a rich cultural heritage and an increasingly important medium in global business and communication. The major stream in Chinese Studies encompasses the study of Chinese language and communication as well as culture, society and civilisation, including Chinese literature, cinema, history, politics and philosophy. … For more content click the Read More button below. There are two main components of Chinese Studies. The first is a focus on the acquisition of competence in the Chinese language. Acquiring language competence involves a wide range of knowledge and understanding of socio-cultural conventions as well as skills in self-expression, both oral and written, and skills in comprehending others’ expression, both oral and written. The ability to read written texts is an important part of this process. The second component is the study of aspects of the cultures and societies associated with the Chinese language. We draw upon other disciplines in order to inform an understanding of Chinese culture. These disciplines include literary, cultural, film, translation, gender, and media studies as well as anthropological, linguistic, historical and sociological approaches. This stream is available to students commencing at Introductory and Intermediate entry levels. Placement Information The School of Humanities and Languages offers a flexible program for students with different interests and different Chinese language backgrounds. You can enter Chinese language courses at different levels, depending on your knowledge of Chinese characters. Within each year, you are allocated to different groups, depending on your speaking ability. If you have prior language knowledge you will need to take an online placement evaluation so that we can assess your skills and select an appropriate level of course for you. Information about the evaluation and additional course details can be found on the web at: hal.arts.unsw.edu.au You will not be permitted to enrol in language courses that are too easy for you in terms of Chinese character knowledge. If this occurs, you will be requested to change your enrolment. If you are admitted in your first year of study to ARTS2450 or higher on the grounds of your ability and/or previous study, such courses will be counted as Level 1 courses in terms of your degree requirements.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Exhibit initiative and self-direction
  • Professionals
  • Leaders
2.
Use the Chinese language with a level of fluency and understanding equivalent to an independent user as articulated in the Common European Framework
  • Scholars
3.
Justify a position in relation to foundational aspects of society, culture and/or the arts
  • Global citizens
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
4.
Recognise linguistic and cultural diversity in order to examine and comprehend one's own language and culture
  • Scholars
  • Global citizens
5.
Continuously acquire knowledge and skills and reflect on existing knowledge and skills for personal and career fulfilment
  • Leaders
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
6.
Articulate a broad body of knowledge about foundational aspects of Chinese society, culture and/or the arts
  • Scholars
7.
Undertake rigorous and engaged scholarly enquiry and analysis
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
8.
Act ethically, respectfully and responsibly
  • Scholars
  • Global citizens
  • Professionals
9.
Explain the varied nature of the Sinophone world and its diverse cultural practices and identify political, social and/or artistic perspectives
  • Scholars
  • Global citizens
10.
Collaborate effectively with others
  • Professionals
  • Leaders
11.
Demonstrate intercultural responsiveness
  • Global citizens
12.
Communicate and debate complex ideas in a range of different contexts using a variety of suitable media
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
  • Leaders
13.
Critically and creatively employ disciplinary bodies of knowledge and appraise disciplinary perspectives in professional practice and/or scholarship
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
14.
Engage proactively with complex problems in professional practice and/or scholarship
  • Professionals
  • Scholars

Available in Program(s)
Single degree program(s) in which this specialisation is available:

Bachelor of Arts - BA3409 - Arts
Bachelor of Arts and Business - BArts (Bus)3444 - Arts and Business
Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) - BCom(Co-op)3554 - Commerce (Co-op)
Bachelor of Commerce (International) - BCom(Int)3558 - Commerce (International)

Specialisation Structure

Students must complete 60 UOC.

If you commence at Introductory A level you must complete 60 UOC of the following courses:

  1. Introductory Language Core (12 UOC)
  2. Intermediate Language Core (12 UOC)
  3. Advanced Language Core (12 UOC)
  4. Capstone Course (6 UOC)
  5. Contextual Studies Electives (18 UOC)

If you commence at Introductory Chinese B, you must go on to complete Advanced Chinese B. In order to have the required 60 UOC for the major you must complete a further 30 UOC including the Capstone course and 24 UOC in Contextual Studies Electives.

If you commence at Intermediate A level you must complete 60 UOC of the following courses:

  1. Intermediate Language Core (12 UOC)
  2. Advanced Language Core (12 UOC)
  3. Capstone Course (6 UOC)
  4. Contextual and Professional Studies Electives (30 UOC, including at least 12 UOC in Contextual Studies)

If you commence at Intermediate Chinese B, you must go on to complete Advanced Chinese B. In order to have the required 60 UOC for the major you must complete a further 42 UOC including the Capstone course and at least 12 UOC in Contextual Studies Electives and the balance in Contextual or Professional Studies courses.

Introductory Language Core Courses

Intermediate Language Core Courses

Advanced Language Core Courses

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Additional Information

Language Studies for Commencing Mid-Year Students

If your language skills are assessed as Level A in Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced or Professional you cannot commence study until Term 1.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)