Honours in Chinese Studies
Entry Requirements and Program Structure
Assessment
Seminars
Thesis
Thesis Supervision
Enrolment
Contacts
Overview
‘Honours’ is an intensive year-long program of advanced study with research at its centre. The Honours year enables students to engage with the subject of their major in depth by undertaking research of their own, under the supervision of an expert in the their field. For some students, Honours is the culmination of their formal education while for other students, Honours is the first step on the path to careers as professional researchers and academics. Many staff in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences find Honours teaching the most rewarding part of their job.
The Department also offers joint honours with other departments in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Entry Requirements and Program Structure
Students need to have results at Credit (65%) level or better in eight Senior units of study (48 credit points) in Chinese studies if they wish to take Honours. Students are recommended to have taken ASNS3690: Approaches to Research in Asian Studies also.
Students whose bachelor degree was undertaken at another university, or students who completed their bachelor's degrees at the University of Sydney more than two years ago should contact the Honours Coordinator to discuss whether the classes they have taken are equivalent to these prerequisites.
Assessment
Your supervisor will recommend one of the following two schemes, after consultation with you and the Chair of the Department
- a long thesis (18000-20000 words) and two seminars, the thesis worth 60% of the final Honours result and the seminars 40% (each seminar 20%);
- a short thesis (12000-15000 words) and three seminars, the thesis worth 40% of the final Honours result and the seminars 60% (each seminar 20%).
Each of the seminars meets weekly for 2 hours, for one semester. While you will receive marks for all pieces of assessment, your academic transcripts will record only your final, overall Honours mark.
Seminars
Honours seminars offered:
- Semester 1: Theory and Method in Asian Studies (Dr Olivier Ansart), Approaches to Research on Modern China (Prof Bonnie McDougall)
- Semester 2: Engaging Asia (Dr Michele Ford)
In consultation with the supervisor and with the approval of the Chair of the Department, students can also select seminars from other programs in the Faculty of Arts.
Thesis
The honours thesis constitutes an original piece of research and writing in a field that can be supervised by a member of staff. It amounts to 18000-20000 words (long thesis) or 12000-15000 words (short thesis - see Assessment above) of writing and must demonstrate both a command of a sufficient range of primary source material in the Chinese language, as well as a command of a particular disciplinary or interdisciplinary approach to the topic of the research.
Thesis Supervision
In the first instance, students should contact the Honours Coordinator to discuss their preferred field of Honours study. The Honours Coordinator will then be able to suggest the most appropriate member of staff within the department to supervise the thesis. See the departmental Academic Staff List to get an idea of the research interests of staff.
Enrolment
In the first instance you should discuss your intention to apply for Honours with the [Honours Coordinator. Students will enrol in CHNS4011, 4012, 4013 and 4014. These, however, are merely generic or ‘shell’ units for your coursework component.
Enrolments are completed online. Go to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Honours webpage for further information on Honours and on the online enrolment application procedure.
Contacts
The Honours Coordinator can answer any queries relating to the Honours program.