Faculty of Arts
Chinese Studies

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Faculty of Arts

1. Language study streams
2. Diploma in Modern Languages (Chinese)
3. Requirements for majors in Chinese
    3.1. A major in Chinese language
    3.2. A major in Chinese studies
    3.3. Structuring a major in Chinese language
    3.4. Beginners stream
    3.5. Post-VCE stream
    3.6. Students with a Chinese-speaking background
        3.6.1. No knowledge of written Chinese
        3.6.2. Knowledge of written Chinese limited to approximately 500 characters
        3.6.3. Pass in VCE-Chinese or equivalent
        3.6.4. A substantial education in a Chinese environment
4. Structuring a major in Chinese studies
5. Honours entry
6. Honours requirements
    6.1. Pure honours
    6.2. Combined honours
7. Studying overseas
8. Career opportunities
9. For more information
Subject Lists
    Language subjects
    Chinese studies subjects
        First-year subjects
        Second/third-year subjects
        Third/fourth-year subjects
        Fourth-year subjects

The study of Chinese language and culture is highly advantageous for students interested in banking, trade, financial, diplomatic services and a range of other professional careers in the internationalised world. Chinese language classes cater for a range of competencies, from students who have little or no knowledge of Chinese to advanced-level speakers. These targeted levels of language proficiency provide students with the means for a contextualised approach to Chinese language, society and culture, and increasingly, Chinese science and technology.

Chinese studies addresses modern and pre-modern aspects of Chinese culture and society, including language, literature, film, philosophy and religion. Cultural and linguistic knowledge provides a foundation for the exploration of contemporary Chinese social organisation and strategies for research and development, business, trade and international relations in evolving global communities. Chinese studies is one of a number of programs that constitute the Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies (MIALS). The Institute was established in 1998 as a major teaching and research initiative of the University of Melbourne. MIALS serves to strengthen the University's role as a major international centre for the development of studies in Asian languages and societies. Students who specialise in Chinese studies develop transferable skills that will enhance their career options. Alternatively, they are able to expand on their interest and knowledge through an articulated structure of higher degree study options at the University of Melbourne.

1. Language study streams

MIALS offers three streams of Chinese language study:

Beginners
- The beginners stream is for students who have little or no knowledge of Chinese. It is available to students at both first and second year, although students intending to complete a major will need to commence their language study in their first year.
Post-VCE
- The post-VCE stream is usually only available to students with no background in Chinese who have obtained a pass in VCE Chinese or its equivalent.
Students with a Chinese-speaking background
- Four different levels are available to students who are from a Chinese-speaking background:
  - no knowledge of written Chinese
  - knowledge of written Chinese limited to approximately 500 characters
  - pass in VCE Chinese or equivalent
  - substantial education in a Chinese environment.
  Placement in one of these levels depends on a number of factors, such as spoken competence in Mandarin or a Chinese dialect and ability to read and write Chinese characters.

The Institute determines the language stream in which a student is to enrol. For all students the subject(s) they enrol in will be determined by the Institute after an interview. Placement is based on VCE results, other language study record and, if necessary, a placement test. Interviews and placement tests will be held in the week preceding the first week of semester. No student may attend class without attending an interview and/or placement test.

Stream enrolment remains provisional until confirmed or, alternatively, altered according to the student's needs as determined by the Institute. As far as possible, the Institute will notify students of any changes to their stream enrolment during the first two weeks of semester. Where a change is made in the third or fourth week of semester it will be reported to the Associate Dean (Academic Programs).

Students of other faculties may enrol in Chinese in any year of their course with the approval of their faculty and the Faculty of Arts.

2. Diploma in Modern Languages (Chinese)

The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) enables students to gain a diploma in language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

The DML usually involves a three-year sequence of language study, totalling a minimum of 100 points. It adds one year to the duration of an ordinary degree course.

The DML (Chinese) is offered in the beginners, post-VCE, and Chinese background streams. Chinese subjects are taken alongside degree subjects in an integrated sequence of study. This must be approved by the home faculty course adviser. All students are required to attend an interview and/or placement test to determine subject enrolment (see above).

3. Requirements for majors in Chinese

Chinese language program coordinator: Ms Diane Manwaring

3.1. A major in Chinese language

A major in Chinese language usually consists of 125 points comprising:

four first-year subjects in Chinese language (37.5 points); and
second-year subjects in Chinese language (37.5 points); and
third-year subjects in Chinese language/studies (50 points).

Students intending to major in Chinese language are advised to complement their language studies with subjects in Chinese literature, culture and society.

3.2. A major in Chinese studies

Chinese studies coordinator: Professor David Holm

A major in Chinese studies usually consists of nine 12.5-point subjects, totalling 112.5 points. It comprises:

two first-year subjects in Chinese studies (25 points); and
second/third-year subjects in Chinese studies (87.5 points).

A major in Chinese studies is usually only to be undertaken in conjunction with a major in Chinese language. Subjects undertaken towards the major in Chinese studies must be in addition to those undertaken as part of a major in Chinese language.

3.3. Structuring a major in Chinese language

A major in Chinese language usually takes one of the following forms:

3.4. Beginners stream

First year

	110-143 Introductory Chinese 1A	12.5
	110-144 Spoken Introductory Chinese 1A	6.25
	110-145 Introductory Chinese 1B	12.5
	110-146 Spoken Introductory Chinese 1B	6.25

Second year

	110-028 Introductory Chinese 2A	12.5
	110-130 Spoken Introductory Chinese 2A	6.25
	110-029 Introductory Chinese 2B	12.5
	110-030 Spoken Introductory Chinese 2B	6.25

Third year

	either
	110-162 Introductory Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-163 Introductory Chinese 3B	12.5
	Two subjects in either Chinese language or Chinese studies (25 points)
	or
	110-213 Chinese in China	50

3.5. Post-VCE stream

First year

	110-160 Chinese 1A	12.5
	110-161 Chinese 1B	12.5
	One first-year subject in Chinese studies (12.5 points)

Second year

	110-121 Chinese 2A
	110-123 Chinese 2B
	One second-year subject in Chinese language or Chinese studies (12.5 points)

Third year

	either
	Four third-year subjects in Chinese language or Chinese studies (50 points)
	or
	110-213 Chinese in China	50

3.6. Students with a Chinese-speaking background

3.6.1. No knowledge of written Chinese

First year

	110-180 Standard Chinese 1A	12.5
	110-120 Standard Spoken Chinese 1A	6.25
	110-182 Standard Chinese 1B	12.5
	110-122 Standard Spoken Chinese 1B	6.25

Second year

	110-039 Standard Chinese 2A	12.5
	110-040 Standard Chinese 2B	12.5
	One second-year subject in Chinese studies (12.5 points)

Third year

	either
	110-041 Standard Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-042 Standard Chinese 3B	12.5
	Two third-year subjects in Chinese studies (25 points)
	or
	110-213 Chinese in China	50

3.6.2. Knowledge of written Chinese limited to approximately 500 characters

First year

	110-039 Standard Chinese 2A	12.5
	110-040 Standard Chinese 2B	12.5
	One first-year subject in Chinese studies (12.5 points)

Second year

	110-041 Standard Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-042 Standard Chinese 3B	12.5
	One second-year subject in Chinese studies (12.5 points)

Third year

	110-043 Standard Chinese 4A	12.5
	110-044 Standard Chinese 4B	12.5
	Two third-year subjects in Chinese studies (25 points)

3.6.3. Pass in VCE-Chinese or equivalent

First year

	110-041 Standard Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-042 Standard Chinese 3B	12.5
	One first-year subject in Chinese studies (12.5 points)

Second year

	110-043 Standard Chinese 4A	12.5
	110-044 Standard Chinese 4B	12.5
	One second-year subject in Chinese studies (12.5 points)

Third year

	Four third-year subjects in Chinese studies (50 points)

3.6.4. A substantial education in a Chinese environment

First year

	110-043 Standard Chinese 4A	12.5
	110-044 Standard Chinese 4B	12.5
	One first-year subject in Chinese studies (12.5 points)

Second year

	Second-year subjects in Chinese studies (totalling 37.5 points)

Third year

	Third-year subjects in Chinese studies (totalling 50 points)

4. Structuring a major in Chinese studies

Subjects undertaken towards the major in Chinese studies would normally be taken primarily from the list below. In addition, students are encouraged to take subjects with substantial China-related content from other departments and faculties. These may be taken as part of the Chinese studies major with the approval of the Head of the Chinese Program and the Associate Dean (Academic Programs).

First-year Chinese studies subjects

	All subjects are 12.5 points unless indicated otherwise:
	110-183 Chinese Studies: Culture and Empire	2
	110-186 China since Mao	1
	110-187 Chinese Calligraphy	1

Second/third-year Chinese studies subjects

	110-048 Modern Chinese Literature	1
	110-049 Chinese Linguistics	2
	110-052 Chinese Thought	1
	110-053 Taiwan	2
	110-212 Strategies for Business and Bureaucracy	2
	110-213 Chinese in China (50 points)	1

Third/fourth-year Chinese studies subjects

	110-432 Chinese Elite and Popular Literature	Not Offered
	110-442 Contemporary Chinese Society	2
	110-443 Chinese Religion and Ritual	1
	110-457 Chinese Research Methods	1
	110-470 Chinese Regional Cultures	1

5. Honours entry

Honours coordinator: Dr Carolyn Stevens

The prerequisites for entry to fourth-year honours in Chinese language are:

completion of all the requirements for the BA;
completion of a major in Chinese;
an average grade of H2A or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major;
completion of at least one Chinese studies subject at second/third-year level, either as part of a major in Chinese or outside it, with a grade of H2A or higher.

Entry to honours must be approved by the Chinese honours coordinator and the Faculty of Arts honours course adviser.

Intending honours students must submit a well-defined proposal for an honours research project in November of the preceding year, and make arrangements for appropriate supervision with advice from the honours coordinator.

Students intending to study Chinese at Honours level are strongly encouraged to complement their study of the Chinese language either by completing a major in Chinese studies or by taking some subjects on Chinese culture and society, either in this Institute or in history, politics, or fine arts.

6. Honours requirements

6.1. Pure honours

Students undertaking pure honours in Chinese must complete:

110-532 Chinese Thesis or 110-533 Chinese Thesis (MYE) (37.5 points); and
five honours subjects in Chinese (62.5 points) including 110-457 Chinese Research Methods if not completed previously.

6.2. Combined honours

Students undertaking combined honours in Chinese and another area of study must complete:

110-532 Chinese Thesis or 110-533 Chinese Thesis (MYE) (37.5 points); and
two honours subjects in Chinese, including 110-457 Chinese Research Methods if not completed previously (25 points); and
three honours subjects in the combined area of study (37.5 points).

honours thesis in the combined area of study (37.5 points); and
two honours subjects in the combined area of study (25 points); and
three honours subjects in Chinese (37.5 points).

7. Studying overseas

Suitably qualified students studying Chinese in the institute may undertake language study overseas for credit towards their degree. An application for credit must be lodged with the institute prior to proceeding overseas. A major new opportunity for in-country study is available in the subject 110-213 Chinese in China. Interested students should consult the Faculty Office for approval to receive credit for such studies. See Studying overseas for credit.

8. Career opportunities

The importance of Chinese to Australia is growing both because of Australia's expanding links with China and other nations in the region, and because of the increasing size of the Chinese-speaking community within Australia. High rates of economic growth in China and elsewhere in East Asia make Chinese a good long-term option. Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts who have majored in Chinese have found employment in banking and the financial sector, in the diplomatic service and in other government departments, in private industry and commerce, and in secondary and tertiary teaching. Students studying for a professional degree such as law, commerce or engineering are also likely to find career prospects enhanced by combining their studies with Chinese.

9. For more information

Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies (MIALS)
Sidney Myer Asia Centre
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 5990
Fax: +61 3 9349 4870
Email: mials-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.chinese.unimelb.edu.au

Language subjects

Chinese studies subjects

Status:                   Official 2004
Last Modified:            Monday June 21 22:11
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
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