Students

CHN 156 – Introduction to Chinese Culture (Background Speakers)

2015 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Ilayda Wang
Unit Convenor
Hui Ling Xu
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This is an introductory unit covering various aspects of Chinese culture, from philosophy to literature, from medicine to cultural aspects of everyday life. This unit is designed for students who have passed HSC Chinese for Background Speakers or who have a similar level of knowledge of Chinese. Lectures are in Mandarin, and texts and assignments are in both Chinese and English. Students who wish to improve their Mandarin are able to do so, and others who already speak Mandarin well are able to gain a deeper knowledge of the Chinese cultural heritage.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

General Assessment Information

Extensions and Special Consideration

Short Term Extensions

Requests for assignment extensions due to unavoidable and unforseen circumstances of less than three days duration (eg short term illness or misadventure) must be made to the supervisor before the due date if possible, or immediately after the disruption. Approvals of extensions must be noted on the assignment cover sheet. Note that other assessment commitments will not be considered grounds for an extension.

Assignments that are handed in later than the due date, where no extension has been granted, or are handed in later than the extension date without being granted further extension or special consideration will be penalised.

Late submission of the essays will result in a penalty of 5% of the total value of the essay towards unit assessment each day (including weekends). The essay will not be marked after a period of five calendar days of non-submission.

Serious Illness and Unavoidable Disruption

If your performance has been affected for a period of 3 days or more as a result of serious unavoidable disruption or illness, you are advised to inform the unit convenor and tutor of the problem at the earliest possible opportunity. You must supply documentary evidence of the extended disruption and submit a Disruption to Studies Notification (see Policies and Procedures below).

No assessment work will be accepted for marking beyond Week 13 unless you have submitted a Disruption to Studies Notification with adequate and appropriate supporting evidence and have been granted special consideration. Please note that requests for special consideration for long term or serious reasons are not granted automatically, and are reserved for unforeseen and serious circumstances such as prolonged & chronic illness, hospitalisation or bereavement in your immediate family which have affected your performance over the course of the semester; or in cases of unavoidable disruption or misadventure during the formal examination period. If you believe that you qualify for special consideration, please contact the teaching staff as soon as is practically possible and lodge the application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Assignments 30% TBA
Class Test 1 (mid-semester) 30% TBA
Class Test 2 (end of semester) 30% TBA
Class participation 10% On going (every week)

Assignments

Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%

There will be one essay on a chosen topic this unit (about 1500 characters in Chinese). The topic/s will be advised in iLearn.

In completing the essay, students must fulfil the following key criteria. 

a) Grasp of the task and focus. Are you really answering the question(s)? Is there a well-defined framework or scope of argumentation?

b) Knowledge of content and research. For example, is there a well-developed argument? Does the essay reflect a clear, insightful knowledge of the topic in a clear and critical analysis? Does the written work demonstrate a substantial and skilful research effort? The essay may incorporate text materials linked together with your own commentary and conclusions. This will involve research, such as locating materials, books and journal articles.

c) Creativity and judgement. Does the essay show good judgement in the selection or arrangement of materials? Is there evidence to support the argument?

d) Communication and presentation. Does the work show a mastery of the technical aspects of writing an essay? What will be assessed here also include such matters as grammar, punctuation, spelling, citation, etc.

e) Referencing and ethical use of materials. All cited works needs to be properly acknowledged. Is referencing consistent and precise?

A detailed marking rubric will be provided on iLearn.

Assignments should be students' original work. Plagiarism is not acceptable (For further information and advice, see http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html).

Note: All written assignments have to be submitted by the due date via Turnitin.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Class Test 1 (mid-semester)

Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%

This written test examines students' understanding of basic aspects of Chinese culture. The contents of the test covers the topics in the first half of semester.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Class Test 2 (end of semester)

Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%

This written test examines students' ability to analyse important aspects of Chinese culture. The contents of the test covers all topics in the unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Class participation

Due: On going (every week)
Weighting: 10%

Students should attend the class on time, having made adequate preparation for class discussions. They should be involved in all educational activities related to the unit, and make active contributions to their success.

Marks for class attendance and performance will be determined by

a)    Whether students attend class regularly or not; b)    How much effort students have made to prepare for the class; c)    How actively students participate in class discussion; and d)    How helpful students' comments are to the work of other students.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Delivery and Resources

Reading materials will be provided via iLearn and in class.

Students are required to attend all classes and to participate in tutorial discussions.

Unit Schedule

Week

Themes

1

Introduction and overview:

·         What is “China”?

·         What is “Chinese culture”?

2

Chinese pre-history

·         the archaeological evidence, early agriculture, river settlements, traditional beliefs

3

Chinese writing systems

·         their early history, their development, and their effects on culture

·         From jiaguwen to Chinese calligraphy

4 and 5

Chinese schools of thought

·         Confucianism, Legalism, Mohism, Mencius, neo-Confucianism

6

China’s dynastic history

·         Pre-Qin dynasties and traditional history

·         The Qin

·         Post-Qin dynasties, and the developing idea of “China”

6 and 7

Chinese religion

·         Pre-Confucian beliefs – is Confucianism a religion or a school of thought?

·         The “Three Teachings” – Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism

8

Chinese poetry

9

The traditional Chinese novel

10

The visual arts and architecture in traditional China

·         Painting (esp shanshui)

·         Architecture

·         Funerary culture

11

Minority cultures

·         Women’s writing (eg nüshu), regional cultures

12

Trade, commerce, and cultural flows

·         How did China interact with the rest of the world?

13

Chinese culture today

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Attain a basic knowledge of Chinese culture and tradition, including Chinese philosophy, history, writing, and art.
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Students should be able to independently and critically analyse important aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Acquire generic academic and communication skills, including self-awareness, interpersonal skills and working with others, skills in information gathering and management, problem-solving skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignments
  • Class Test 1 (mid-semester)
  • Class Test 2 (end of semester)
  • Class participation