CHIN155-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025

Understanding China

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 2 March 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 May 2025

Description

This course provides basic understanding of China and Chinese culture through selected topical issues about China. The course will be taught in English; all prescribed readings and assessments (writing and spoken) are in English.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of Chinese culture, philosophy, and contemporary issues. The course begins with an introduction to foundational philosophies such as Confucianism and Taoism and examines their historical significance and modern interpretations. Students will explore influential literary texts and their impact on Chinese culture. The course also leads students to discuss modern Chinese media and theories dedicated to China and Sinophone studies. By taking this course, students will gain a nuanced understanding of China's rich cultural heritage and its ongoing transformation in the globalized world.

Learning Outcomes

As a student in this course you will
1. develop a good understanding of premodern China and modern China;
2. Identify the evolving cultural trends of China;
3. Show a cross-cultural view of China in the international network;
4. Develop a global awareness by connecting China with New Zealand and the rest of the world;
5. Be able to deploy organized ideas in presentations and participate in class discussions;
6. Demonstrate academic and professional skills, including gathering and organizing second-handed resources and analyzing materials closely and critically.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Biculturally competent and confident

Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

Globally aware

Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 14:00 - 16:00 A8 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 13:00 - 14:00 Jack Erskine 441
17 Feb - 23 Mar
31 Mar - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 25 May

Examinations, Quizzes and Formal Tests

Test A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 13:00 - 14:00 Jack Erskine 441
24 Mar - 30 Mar
Test B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 13:00 - 14:00 Jack Erskine 441
26 May - 1 Jun

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Chia-rong Wu

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Attendance and participation 15% Weekly
One-page journals (10) 30% Due weekly
Journal presentation (1) 5% Sign-up
Term tests (2) 30% Week 6 (15%) and Week 12 (15%)
End-of-semester project 20% Due during examination period

Textbooks / Resources

• Electronic readings can be found on Ako | LEARN.

There is a AKO | LEARN component to this course. Access from UC home page → Current Students → AKO | LEARN – Your courses → Log in

Other material, which may be helpful, can be found in the Library Subject Guides: http://canterbury.libguides.com/CHIN

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $894.00

International fee $4,100.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All CHIN155 Occurrences

  • CHIN155-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025