chinese-studies/ug-arts-chinese-studies

aos

Monash University

Undergraduate - Area of study

Students who commenced study in 2015 should refer to this area of study entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your area of study.

print version

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2015 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook. Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the Faculty of Arts component of any bachelors double degrees.

Managing facultyFaculty of Arts
Offered bySchool of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics
Campus(es)Clayton
CoordinatorDr Robert Irving

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.
  • If you have studied a language or languages at high school, and wish to start studying in a language at a higher level (for example, Intermediate or Proficient), you will need to undertake an online language placement test to determine your commencement level.

    To do this, see the Language Placement Tests information pageLanguage Placement Tests information page (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/llcl/language-placement-tests/) and click on the appropriate language test.

Description

The Chinese program currently offers instruction in the Chinese language on the Clayton campus from several possible entrance levels, catering for students ranging from introductory to advanced proficiency. Students will be placed at the appropriate entry point according to their language ability and their previous language studies.

Once a student's entry point is determined, he or she will progress through the compulsory language units in a designated stream. At each level, students have the option to enrol in study abroad program units as part of their stream component.

As part of a major in Chinese, in addition to compulsory language units, students are required to complete one cornerstonecornerstone (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) and one capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) specific to their stream of study.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the mainstream Chinese studies major, students will be able to:

  • understand key features of modern Chinese intellectual history
  • demonstrate library and web-based research skills relevant to modern Chinese studies
  • explain issues in translation and cross-cultural communication
  • demonstrate knowledge of the socio-political contexts of the evolution of modern Chinese thought in the twentieth century
  • analyse and interpret China through textual sources (in Chinese or translation according to the language level of the student)
  • identify and analyse the structure and understand the context of authentic, formal, written and spoken Chinese
  • read translate or interpret a range of Chinese formal texts, video and audio broadcast programs at a pre-paraprofessional level
  • critically examine views expressed in Chinese textual and media sources on a range of current social and political issues
  • independently access, search and read Chinese media and academic resources on the internet for study, research or vocational purposes
  • present the results of research on a set topic embodied in text (closed enquiry) and justify translation choices based on research of both the linguistic aspects of the text and the broader social/political/historical context of the topic and language encapsulated in the chosen text.

Upon successful completion of the Chinese translation stream major, students will be able to:

  • understand key features of modern Chinese intellectual history
  • demonstrate library and web-based research skills relevant to modern Chinese studies
  • explain issues in translation and cross-cultural communication
  • demonstrate knowledge of the sociopolitical contexts of the evolution of modern Chinese thought in the twentieth century
  • analyse and interpret China through textual sources (in Chinese or translation according to the language level of the student)
  • demonstrate linguistic skills in English-Chinese translation and interpreting
  • explain a range of theoretical issues related to translation and interpreting
  • demonstrate an enhanced ability to analyse various types of texts
  • demonstrate an understanding of issues of comparative stylistics and a more developed sense of the richness of both languages.

Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The Chinese studies program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the program convenor.

Non-arts students

Students who want to study Chinese as part of their non-arts course should consult the managing faculty of their course to determine the number and year level of language units for which they are permitted to enrol.

Language study abroad program

Students can take language study abroad in semester one, two or over a full year at approved partner institutions in the People's Republic of China or Taiwan. Students must obtain approval from the Chinese program convenor before enrolling in language study abroad units.

Units

Students taking Chinese studies have the option of starting at one of three entry points. The following sequences are provided as guides only. Students who wish to accelerate through the proficiency levels either by taking study abroad units or because their language acquisition results allow this, must consult with the program convenor before enrolling.

Minor in Chinese studies

Students completing a minorminor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Chinese studies must complete four units (24 points), as follows:

  • at least 18 points of language units plus an elective unit from those listed below, following the appropriate entry point guidelines

Major in Chinese studies: Entry point 1 - Introductory

For students with little or no knowledge of the language

Students completing a majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Chinese studies from entry point 1 must complete eight units (48 points), including:

(a.) two first-year gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):

(b.) at least one second-year cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS2039 Understanding modern China
  • ATS2040 Understanding contemporary China

(c.) at least one third-year capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS3037 Chinese online media: Contemporary issues and perspectives
  • ATS3038 Chinese online media: Current issues and perspectives

(d.) four language units (24 points):

A minimum of three units (18 points) at third-year level and six language units (36 points) must be completed.

Note: Students can replace language units with equivalent language study abroad units.

Major in Chinese studies: Entry point 2 - Intermediate/Background speakers

For students with post-VCE/IB (second language basic stream) lower competence in Chinese

Students completing a majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Chinese studies from entry point 2 must complete eight units (48 points), including:

(a.) at least one second-year cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS2039 Understanding modern China
  • ATS2040 Understanding contemporary China

(b.) at least one third-year capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS3037 Chinese online media: Contemporary issues and perspectives
  • ATS3038 Chinese online media: Current issues and perspectives

(c.) six language units (36 points):

A minimum of three units (18 points) at third-year level and six language units (36 points) must be completed.

Note: Students can replace language units with equivalent language study abroad units.

Background speakers only

Students with oral proficiency but with little or no knowledge of written Chinese must replace ATS2003 (Chinese intermediate 1) and ATS2004 (Chinese intermediate 2) with:

  • ATS1905 Chinese introductory for background speakers 1
  • ATS1906 Chinese introductory for background speakers 2

Major in Chinese studies: Entry point 3 - Proficient

For students with post-VCE/IB (second language basic stream) higher competence in Chinese

Students completing a majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Chinese studies from entry point 3 must complete eight units (48 points), including:

(a.) at least one second-year cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS2039 Understanding modern China
  • ATS2040 Understanding contemporary China

(b.) at least one third-year capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS3037 Chinese online media: Contemporary issues and perspectives
  • ATS3038 Chinese online media: Current issues and perspectives

(c.) six language units (36 points):

  • ATS2005 Chinese proficient 1
  • ATS2006 Chinese proficient 2
  • ATS3007 Chinese studies advanced 1
  • ATS3008 Chinese studies advanced 2
  • ATS3009 Chinese studies advanced 3: Readings in modern literature
  • ATS3010 Chinese studies advanced 4: Readings in modern literature

A minimum of three units (18 points) at third-year level and six language units (36 points) must be completed.

Note: Students can replace language units with equivalent language study abroad units.

Students with advanced language proficiency

Students wishing to undertake a Chinese studies major who have completed VCE first language or second language advanced, or who have attended school where Chinese was the language of instruction should consult the Chinese studies programChinese studies program (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/chinese/) for advice.

Minor in Chinese studies: Translation stream

Students completing a minorminor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Chinese studies, translation stream must complete four units (24 points), including:

  • at least 18 points of units from the translation stream following the below guidelines for the major

Major in Chinese studies: Translation stream

The major in Chinese studies, translation stream is only available to students who have an advanced level of language proficiency as determined by placement test and/or interview

Students completing a majormajor (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-07.html) in Chinese studies, translation stream must complete eight units (48 points), including:

(a.) two first-year gateway unitsgateway units (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (12 points):

(b.) at least one second-year cornerstone unitcornerstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points), chosen from:

  • ATS2039 Understanding modern China
  • ATS2040 Understanding contemporary China

(c.) one third-year capstone unitcapstone unit (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/undergrad/arts-08.html) (6 points):

  • ATS3083 Translating across cultures

(d.) four language units (24 points):

  • ATS2043 Chinese translation for professional purposes 1
  • ATS2044 Chinese translation for professional purposes 2
  • ATS3045 From translation to interpreting in Chinese 1
  • ATS3046 From translation to interpreting in Chinese 2

A minimum of three units (18 points) at third-year level and six language units (36 points) must be completed.

Note: Students can replace language units with equivalent language study abroad units.

Extended major in Chinese studies

Students completing an extended major in Chinese studies (60 points), from any entry point, must complete an additional 12 points as follows:

  • 12 points of third-year level elective units from the list below

Elective units

  • ATS1319 Understanding Asia: An introduction to Asian history and culture
  • ATS2382 War and memory in the Asia Pacific: Legacies of World War II
  • ATS2941 Asia's underside: Violence, crime and protest
  • ATS3011 Chinese studies advanced 5: Contemporary literature
  • ATS3012 Chinese studies advanced 6: Contemporary literature
  • ATS3013 Chinese business translation 1
  • ATS3014 Chinese business translation 2
  • ATS3041 Chinese media analysis 1
  • ATS3042 Chinese media analysis 2
  • ATS3064 Intercultural communication: Developing competences in a multicultural context
  • ATS3089 Social institutions and power in Asia
  • ATS3138 Special reading unit 2
  • ATS3627 Global cultures, local traditions: Creating and consuming (popular) culture
  • ATS3816 The social context of language learning
  • ATS3897 Borderless media in East Asia
  • ATS3948 Internship (undergraduate)

Language study abroad units

For a list of units, please refer to the Chinese studies Study Abroad webpageChinese studies Study Abroad webpage (http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/chinese/study-abroad/).

Relevant courses

Diplomas

  • 2201 Diploma in Languages

Bachelors

Single degrees

  • 0002 Bachelor of Arts
  • 1638 Bachelor of Arts Scholars Program
  • 0202 Bachelor of Letters

Double degrees

  • 4640 Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
  • 4098 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business
  • 0550 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
  • 0553 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance)
  • 0556 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
  • 0542 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce
  • 0170 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Economics
  • 3054 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music
  • 0530 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
  • 3426 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work
  • 3779 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Visual Arts
  • 4097 Bachelor of Arts Scholars Program and Bachelor of Commerce Scholars Program
  • D3002 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
  • 4634 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
  • 4644 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
  • L3003 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts