Faculty of Arts
Chinese Language and Studies

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Faculty of Arts

1. Time commitment to study
2. Language study streams
3. Diploma in Modern Languages (Chinese)
    3.1. Beginners stream
    3.2. Post-VCE stream
    3.3. Students with a Chinese-speaking background
        3.3.1. No knowledge of written Chinese
        3.3.2. Knowledge of written Chinese limited to approximately 500 characters
        3.3.3. Pass in VCE-Chinese or equivalent
        3.3.4. A substantial education in a Chinese environment
4. Requirements for majors in Chinese
    4.1. A major in Chinese language
    4.2. A major in Chinese studies
    4.3. Structuring a major in Chinese language
    4.4. Beginners stream
    4.5. Post-VCE stream
    4.6. Students with a Chinese-speaking background
        4.6.1. No knowledge of written Chinese
        4.6.2. Knowledge of written Chinese limited to approximately 500 characters
        4.6.3. Pass in VCE-Chinese or equivalent
        4.6.4. A substantial education in a Chinese environment
    4.7. Optional Chinese language subjects
5. Structuring a major in Chinese studies
    5.1. Optional Chinese studies subjects
6. Honours entry
7. Honours requirements
    7.1. Pure honours
    7.2. Combined honours
8. Studying overseas
9. Career opportunities
10. 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. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. 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 first 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.

3. 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 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).

Students wishing to undertake Chinese language study as part of an Exchange program may credit their studies towards the DML. However, such students should contact the Chinese Language Program Coordinator in their first year of study to ensure that their study plan can accommodate Exchange study in their DML.

3.1. 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

	110-162 Introductory Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-163 Introductory Chinese 3B	12.5

3.2. Post-VCE stream

First year

	110-160 Chinese 1A	12.5
	110-161 Chinese 1B	12.5

Second year

	110-121 Chinese 2A	12.5
	110-123 Chinese 2B	12.5

Third year

	either
	Four third-year subjects selected from the following:
	110-048 Modern Chinese Literature	12.5
	110-049 Chinese Linguistics	12.5
	110-133 Introduction to Literary Chinese	12.5
	110-185 Chinese News Analysis	12.5
	110-226 Intensive Chinese Program: China	12.5
	110-431 Literature & Film in Contemporary China	12.5
	110-463 Chinese Economic Documents	12.5
	110-465 Chinese Legal Documents	12.5
	or
	110-213 Chinese in China	50

3.3. Students with a Chinese-speaking background

3.3.1. 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
	and
	One second year subject selected from the following:
	110-048 Modern Chinese Literature	12.5
	110-049 Chinese Linguistics	12.5
	110-226 Intensive Chinese Program: China	12.5

Third year

	110-041 Standard Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-042 Standard Chinese 3B	12.5

3.3.2. 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

Second year

	110-041 Standard Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-042 Standard Chinese 3B	12.5

Third year

	110-043 Standard Chinese 4A	12.5
	110-044 Standard Chinese 4B	12.5
	and
	Two third-year subjects selected from the following:
	110-048 Modern Chinese Literature	12.5
	110-049 Chinese Linguistics	12.5
	110-225 Chinese Theatre	12.5
	110-226 Intensive Chinese Program: China	12.5
	110-463 Chinese Economic Documents	12.5
	110-465 Chinese Legal Documents	12.5

3.3.3. Pass in VCE-Chinese or equivalent

First year

	110-041 Standard Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-042 Standard Chinese 3B	12.5

Second year

	110-043 Standard Chinese 4A	12.5
	110-044 Standard Chinese 4B	12.5

Third year

	Four third-year subjects selected from the following:
	110-048 Modern Chinese Literature	12.5
	110-049 Chinese Linguistics	12.5
	110-225 Chinese Theatre	12.5
	110-226 Intensive Chinese Program: China	12.5
	110-463 Chinese Economic Documents	12.5
	110-465 Chinese Legal Documents	12.5

3.3.4. A substantial education in a Chinese environment

First year

	110-043 Standard Chinese 4A	12.5
	110-044 Standard Chinese 4B	12.5
	and
	One first-year subject selected from the following:
	110-183 Chinese Studies: Culture and Empire	12.5
	110-186 China since Mao	12.5
	110-187 Chinese Calligraphy	12.5

Second year

	Two second-year subjects selected from the following:
	110-048 Modern Chinese Literature	12.5
	110-049 Chinese Linguistics	12.5
	110-225 Chinese Theatre	12.5
	110-226 Intensive Chinese Program: China	12.5

Third year

	Three third-year subjects no previously completed selected from the following:
	110-048 Modern Chinese Literature	12.5
	110-049 Chinese Linguistics	12.5
	110-225 Chinese Theatre	12.5
	110-226 Intensive Chinese Program: China	12.5
	110-463 Chinese Economic Documents	12.5
	110-465 Chinese Legal Documents	12.5

4. Requirements for majors in Chinese

Chinese language program coordinator: Ms Diane Manwaring

4.1. A major in Chinese language

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

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.

4.2. 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
seven second/third-year subjects in Chinese studies (87.5 points).

4.3. Structuring a major in Chinese language

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

4.4. 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 optional subjects in either Chinese language or Chinese studies	25
	or
	110-213 Chinese in China	50

4.5. Post-VCE stream

First year

	110-160 Chinese 1A	12.5
	110-161 Chinese 1B	12.5
	One first-year optional subject in Chinese studies	12.5

Second year

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

Third year

	either
	Four third-year optional subjects in Chinese language or Chinese studies	50
	or
	110-213 Chinese in China	50

4.6. Students with a Chinese-speaking background

4.6.1. 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 optional subject in Chinese studies	12.5

Third year

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

4.6.2. 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 optional subject in Chinese studies	12.5

Second year

	110-041 Standard Chinese 3A	12.5
	110-042 Standard Chinese 3B	12.5
	One second-year optional subject in Chinese language or studies	12.5

Third year

	110-043 Standard Chinese 4A	12.5
	110-044 Standard Chinese 4B	12.5
	Two third-year optional subjects in Chinese language or studies	25

4.6.3. 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 optional subject in Chinese studies	12.5

Second year

	110-043 Standard Chinese 4A	12.5
	110-044 Standard Chinese 4B	12.5
	One second-year optional subject in Chinese language or studies	12.5

Third year

	Four third-year optional subjects in Chinese language or studies	50

4.6.4. 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 optional subject in Chinese studies	12.5

Second year

	Second-year optional subjects in Chinese language or studies	37.5

Third year

	Third-year optional subjects in Chinese language or studies	50

4.7. Optional Chinese language subjects

First, second and third year

	110-185 Chinese News Analysis	2
	110-133 Introduction to Literary Chinese	1

Second and third year

	110-213 Chinese in China	1
	110-225 Chinese Theatre	1
	110-226 Intensive Chinese Program: China	2

Third and fourth year

	110-416 Media in China	2
	110-431 Literature & Film in Contemporary China	1
	110-463 Chinese Economic Documents	2
	110-465 Chinese Legal Documents	1

5. 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).

5.1. Optional Chinese studies subjects

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

	106-014 Hong Kong Cinema	2
	110-048 Modern Chinese Literature	Not Offered
	110-049 Chinese Linguistics	2
	110-052 Chinese Thought	2
	110-053 Taiwan	1
	110-212 Strategies for Business and Bureaucracy	2
	121-023 China in Transition	1
	131-062 Making China Modern	Not Offered
	166-018 Chinese Politics and Society	1
	166-034 An/Other China:Theorising Everyday Life	Not Offered
	702-234 Asian Architecture B: China Korea Japan	2
	740-341 Music Cultures of Asia	Not Offered

Third/fourth-year Chinese studies subjects

	110-408 Chinese Translation Project	2
	110-417 Gender and Agency in East Asia	2
	110-435 Chinese Classical Texts	2
	110-442 Contemporary Chinese Society	2
	110-443 Chinese Religion and Ritual	1
	110-470 Chinese Regional Cultures	Not Offered

6. Honours entry

MIALS 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.

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.

For information on how to apply see Applying for Honours.

7. Honours requirements

7.1. Pure honours

Students undertaking pure honours in Chinese must complete:

110-533 Chinese Thesis (37.5 points); and
five honours subjects in Chinese (62.5 points).

7.2. Combined honours

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

110-533 Chinese Thesis (37.5 points); and
two honours subjects in Chinese (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).

8. 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. Opportunities for in-country study are provided by 110-213 Chinese in China, 110-226 Intensive Chinese Program: China or through the University of Melbourne's student exchange program. Interested students should consult the Faculty of Arts Office for approval to receive credit for such studies. See Studying overseas for credit.

9. 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.

10. 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.mials.unimelb.edu.au

Language subjects

Chinese studies subjects

Status:                   Official 2006
Last Modified:            Tuesday May 16 10:34
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
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