Major Overview

Description

The Chinese Studies major provides students with high-quality learning opportunities and an outstanding student experience in learning Chinese language and culture. China is the largest trading partner for Australia, and the historical links between Australia and the Chinese-speaking world have been further enhanced in the 21st century thanks to frequent economic and cultural interactions between the two nations. Chinese Studies equips students with solid language skills and a broad in-depth knowledge of China, its society and people, placing students in a strong position to utilise the opportunities generated by China's long history, rich culture and rapid economic growth. Students will graduate with an in-depth understanding of the increasingly globalising world, as well as a versatile portfolio of skills and aptitudes which enhance employability.

This major is taken by beginners. It is incompatible with a pass in WACE Chinese: Second Language CSL 2A/2B or higher.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. demonstrate a good written and spoken linguistic competence in the Chinese language
  2. understand how culturally specific social structures affect interpersonal communication, and determine how to apply this knowledge to their own interactions in a culturally sensitive manner
  3. identify key ethical, philosophical and social characteristics of Chinese culture, society and history, and apply this knowledge in the context of future employment or postgraduate study
  4. engage effectively in the key debates on Chinese history, society and culture in a professional manner and produce coherent and well-argued written work
  5. demonstrate competence in a set of transferable skills, including (but not limited to) digital literacy, information management, group working, research skills and critical thinking, as well as an ability to manage and take responsibility for their own learning processes with minimum guidance
  6. apply their country-specific knowledge in the context of their second major (if applicable)..
Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Incompatibilities

WACE Chinese: Second Language CSL 2A/2B or higher

Courses

CHNSB Chinese Studies can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2024 – may be available in 2025 or 2026

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 CHIN1401 Chinese 1
Incompatibility
WACE Chinese: Second Language CSL 2A/2B or higher.
or CHIN1101 Chinese Beginners 1
S2 CHIN1402 Chinese 2
Prerequisites
CHIN1401 Chinese 1
or CHIN1101 Chinese Beginners 1
Incompatibility
CHIN1102 Chinese Beginners II

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 CHIN2001 Chinese 3A
Prerequisites
CHIN1402 Chinese 2
or CHIN1102 Chinese Beginners II
Co-requisites
CHIN2403 Chinese 3
Incompatibility
CHIN2201 Chinese Intermediate Bridging
or CHIN1001 Chinese 3A
S1 CHIN2403 Chinese 3
Prerequisites
CHIN1402 Chinese 2
or CHIN1102 Chinese Beginners II
Co-requisites
CHIN2001 Chinese 3A
Incompatibility
CHIN2203 Chinese Intermediate 1
or CHIN1403 Chinese 3
S2 CHIN2404 Chinese 4
Prerequisites
CHIN2403 Chinese 3
or (CHIN1403 Chinese 3
and CHIN1001 Chinese 3A)
or CHIN2203 Chinese Intermediate I
Incompatibility
CHIN1104 Chinese Intermediate II
or CHIN2204 Chinese Intermediate I
or CHIN1404 Chinese 4

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 ASIA3003 Social Issues in Contemporary China
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any one level 2 Unit(s) from the School of Social Sciences
or Humanities
Incompatibility
ASIA2211 Social Issues in Contemporary China
S1 CHIN3405 Chinese 5
Prerequisites
CHIN2404 Chinese 4
or CHIN2204 Chinese Intermediate II
Incompatibility
CHIN3305 Chinese Advanced I
or CHIN1405 Chinese 5
or CHIN2405 Chinese 5
S2 CHIN3406 Chinese 6
Prerequisites
CHIN3405 Chinese 5
Incompatibility
CHIN3406 Chinese 6
or CHIN1406 Chinese 6
or CHIN2406 Chinese 6

Substitute units

Degree-specific major units

Substitute units—take units if applicable:

Students can substitute CHIN2801 China Field Study (6 points) for any Level 2 or Level 3 unit.

Students can substitute CHIN2801 China Field Study (6 points) for any Level 2 or Level 3 unit.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
N/A CHIN2801 China Field Study
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
at least one Chinese language unit at UWA or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty
Incompatibility
CHIN2215 China Field Study