Students

CHN 341 – Chinese Capstone Unit

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
A/Prof. Shirley Chan
Contact via shirley.chan@mq.edu.au
AHH North
Wednesday 3:00-4:00pm, Thursday 3:00-4:00pm, by appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
CHN340 or CHN361
Corequisites Corequisites
CHN321 or CHN362
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This is a capstone unit designed for both background and non-background students who are doing a major in Chinese. The unit involves intensive and extensive reading of Chinese texts, classical and modern, intended to develop students' understanding of the different genres and cultural elements of the Chinese representative literature texts. Students will also develop analytical and translation skills through guided readings.

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:

  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

General Assessment Information

Indicative examples of assessment tasks will be available on iLearn.

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 convenor via ask.mq.edu.au before the due date if possible, or immediately after the disruption. Approvals of extensions must be noted on the assignment cover sheet.

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 submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the assignment is late. No assessment tasks will be accepted after corrections and feedback has been provided to the class. Assessment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date.

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 an Application for Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. (see below).

No assessment work will be accepted for marking beyond Week 14 unless you have submitted an Application for Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au 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.

Special Consideration Policy

http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html

Required and recommended resources

Readings in research and translation methodologies, see also:

Writing a Research Paper

An excellent guide from Purdue University

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/658/03/

There are many more guides available online as well as in the library.

The university runs a series of workshop on learning skills and completing assignments. Please check up the details via the following link:

http://www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/undergraduate/workshops/

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class participation/discussion 20% No Weeks1-13
Presentation 35% No Weeks 4-12
In class written test 45% No Week 13

Class participation/discussion

Due: Weeks1-13
Weighting: 20%

Class participation/discussion

Due Date: Weeks 2-13 Weight: 20%

Participation will be marked on attendance, willingness to participate in class discussion, preparation and performance of reading and responding to questions. Students are expected to be well prepared in order to participate in class discussion – this will ensure good use of class time as well as improving your learning skills and sharing your knowledge with others.Class attendance and participation is expected and will be part of the assessment. This means you not only come and sign in the class but come well prepared and participate in class discussion. You need to read the assigned reading material and think about the topics and share your thought with others. Your marks for class attendance and performance will be determined by

a)    Whether you attend class regularly or not; b)    How much effort you have taken to prepare for the class; c)    How actively you participate in class discussion; and d)    How helpful your comments are on the work of our fellow students.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Presentation

Due: Weeks 4-12
Weighting: 35%

There will be one group (two-person) presentation.  In the beginning of the semester, you will be asked to choose a tutorial topic.  You are expected to lead a discussion on your chosen topic for that week. Your oral presentation is expected to be 20 minutes in length (no more than 10 min each person).  You have to finish your presentation within the time limit or marks will be deducted. The group project should reflect the collective efforts of every member of your group.  You should be prepared for the rest of the class to raise questions.  You will need to prepare a 2 page report (15%) which needs to be posted on the iLearn in the discussion forum AND the Turnitin a week before the actual presentation (20%). 

In preparing to lead discussion, you may wish to consider the following questions: 

1)      What are the readings about? 

2)      What are the main points being argued? 

3)      What evidence is marshalled to support the author’s argument? 

4)      Do you agree/disagree with the arguments put forward in the readings? 

5)      What did you find most interesting about the topic or the reading? 

6)      How does this discussion contribute to your understanding/knowledge of Chinese culture, literature, philosophy, history and other areas covered in this unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

In class written test

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 45%

In week 13 you will be given a test (1.5 hours) based on the readings similar to those covered in the class. You will be translating the texts and answer the questions related to the readings.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Delivery and Resources

This is Chinese Capstone Unit designed for students doing a major in Chinese. This course is meant to round out your Chinese studies at university.  Therefore this is not simply a modern language unit but a course that will develop your competency in understanding in Chinese writing, Chinese literature, culture and history though class exercises, discussion, assessment tasks as well as private study, covering various genres with representative literary works of classical and modern Chinese. This unit requires a considerable amount of private reading, research and study of original works, histories of literature and web resources. Texts will be studied in Chinese, with English translations, and backgrounds and histories of these texts. Students will be encouraged to pursue their own interests through  choice of presentations,  group discussion, readings and annotated translations. The website Chinese text project http://ctext.org/ is extremely useful and you are encouraged to consult this site for the early texts as well as English translations of the texts although you should assess other sources for the same purposes. 

Students are encouraged to attend all classes and tutorials are compulsory with tutorial discussion strongly emphasizing student engagement. To benefit the most from the course, students are required to be active, responsible participants in their own learning, and to develop indpendent analytical and research skills in Chinese culture, history and society by reading and analysing both Chinese and English sources which should not be confined to the recommended reading list. Students should complete assessments on time by following instructions. You should check iLearn regularly http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/my/ under the unit concerned, for announcements and resource information posted by the convenor.

 

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ Use this link to check when your online unit will become available.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Online Unit

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For students attending classes on campus we strongly encourage that you bring along your own laptop computer, ready to work with activities in your online unit. The preferred operating system is Windows 10.

Students are required to access the online unit in iLearn by the end of Week 1 and follow any relevant instructions and links for downloads that may be required. If applicable, students are required to download the relevant language package prior to Week 2. 

Please contact your course convenor before the end of Week 1 if you do not have a suitable laptop (or tablet) for in-class use.

 

 

 

 

 

Unit Schedule

 

Lecture

Tutorial readings

/discussions

Assessment

Week 1

  

 Introduction

Early Chinese Literature and Chinese culture; The Book of Songs

 

 

de Bary: Sources of Chinese Tradition. Burton Watson

Class participation/discussion

Week 2

Confucianism and the Four Books: the Analects

Graham,The Disputors of Dao,

Standard English translations and commentaries, James Legge, D. C. Lau 

 

Class participation/discussion

Week 3

Confucianism and the Four Books: the Works of Mencius

Graham,The Disputors of Dao,

Standard English translations and commentaries, James Legge, D. C. Lau 

 

 

Class participation/discussion

Week 4

 

Confucianism and the Four Books: the Great Learning

 

Standard English translations and commentaries, James Legge

 

 

 

Class participation/discussion

Presentation

Week 5

 

 

 

Confucianism and the Four Books: the Doctrine of the Mean

 

 

 

 

Standard English translations and commentaries, James Legge

Class participation/discussion

Presentation

Week 6

Daoism and the Laozi

Graham, The Disputors of Dao,

Standard English translations and commentaries

 

 

 

Class participation/discussion

Presentation

Week 7

Daoism and the Zhuangzi and Chinese Culture

Graham, The Disputors of Dao, Standard English translations and commentaries

Class participation/discussion

Presentation

Essay draft due this Friday

Week 8

Xunzi, Han Feizi.

Stand English translations and commentaries

Ppresentation ,Class participation/discussion

Week 9

The Tang Poetry

 

Standard English translations

Wang Wei: nature poems. Li Bai and Daoist influence;

Du Fu, the serious Confucian.

 

 

 

Class participation/discussion

Presentation

Week 10

The Ming Qing Fictions I

Examples and English translations

 

Presentation

Class participation/discussion

Week 11

Modern Chinese literature/film and Chinese society

 

 

Examples and English translations and critics

 

Presentation

Class participation/discussion

Week 12

Modern Chinese literature/film and Chinese society

 

Examples and English translations and critics 

Class participation/discussion

Folio due this Friday

Presentation

Week 13

Revision and in-class test

 

Feedback/evaluation and class test

 Class participation/discussion

In class test this week

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_2016.html

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

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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.

Assignments are compulsory and must be submitted on time. As a general rule, extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). Late submissions will be penalised by 5% for each day (including weekends) the assignment task is late. No assignments will be accepted after assignments have been corrected and feedback has been provided. Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date.

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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources 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

  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation
  • In class written test

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

  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation
  • In class written test

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

  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation

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

  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation
  • In class written test

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

  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation
  • In class written test

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

  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation
  • In class written test

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

  • To develop enhanced competence in reading and discussing both modern and classical Chinese writings and thus improve overall capabilities in reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese
  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation
  • In class written test

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

  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To improve understanding of and appreciate the representative works of modern and classical Chinese
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation

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

  • Be able to engage in independent and reflective learning through assessing and responding to ideas
  • To show capacity for analytical and critical thinking as well as appreciation of, and respect for cultural diversities

Assessment tasks

  • Class participation/discussion
  • Presentation