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 available to students assessed by the discipline as near native speakers.

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.

Prerequisites

This major is designed for near-native speakers. Admission to the major will be required to sit a placement test/ interview.

Courses

CHNSA 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 CHIN1405 Chinese 5
Prerequisites
available to students assessed by the discipline as having advanced language skills
Incompatibility
CHIN2107 Chinese Native Speakers I
or CHIN2405 Chinese 5
or CHIN3405 Chinese 5
S2 CHIN1406 Chinese 6
Prerequisites
CHIN1405 Chinese 5
Incompatibility
CHIN2108 Chinese Native Speakers II
or CHIN2406 Chinese 6
or CHIN3406 Chinese 6

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 CHIN2407 Chinese 7
Prerequisites
CHIN1406 Chinese 6
or CHIN2108 Native Speakers II
Incompatibility
CHIN2209 Chinese for Business I
S2 CHIN2408 Chinese 8
Prerequisites
CHIN2407 Chinese 7
or CHIN2209 Chinese for Business I
Incompatibility
CHIN2210 Chinese for Business II
Degree-specific major units

Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
N/A ASIA2001 Culture, Society and the State in Asia
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any level 1
or level 2 ASIA, KORE, JAPN, CHIN, INDO, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, ARCY, COMM, LING, ANTH, LAW, VISA, MUSC, SOCS
or POLS unit
Incompatibility
ASIA2204 Culture, Society and the State in Asia
S2 ASIA2002 Australia and Asia
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any level 1
or level 2 ASIA, KORE, JAPN, CHIN, INDO, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, ARCY, COMM, LING, ANTH, LAW, VISA, MUSC, SOCS
or POLS unit
Incompatibility
ASIA2206 Understanding Asia–Australia Issues
S1 ASIA2004 Popular Culture in Asia
Prerequisites
any Level 1
or Level 2 ASIA, KORE, JAPN, CHIN, INDO, ENGL, HIST, PHIL, ARCY, COMM, LING, ANTH, LAW, VISA, MUSC, SOCS
or POLS unit.
Incompatibility
SOCS2216 Popular Culture in Asia

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 CHIN3409 Chinese 9: Understanding the Chinese State
Prerequisites
CHIN2408 Chinese 8
or CHIN3307 Chinese Specialist I
S2 CHIN3410 Chinese 10: Understanding Chinese Society
Prerequisites
CHIN3409 Chinese 9
or CHIN3308 Chinese Specialist II

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