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Unit outline_

CHNS3603: Chinese 4A (Advanced)

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Advanced training in modern Chinese language, with a focus on reading. By studying a range of literary and non-literary texts, graded for difficulty, students will acquire the reading skills necessary for advanced work in Chinese Studies. They will enrich their knowledge of Chinese as a vehicle for discussion of important issues, while developing their own skills in oral and written expression of relatively complex subject matter.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Chinese Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CHNS1202 or CHNS3602 or CHNS3104
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
HSC Chinese Background Speakers or CHNS2203
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Christine Ji, christine.ji@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Xiaowei Zhang, xiaowei.zhang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Chinese-language Writing Assignment 1
Chinese writing assignment - online
15% Week 05 500wds equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small test Test 1
Written Test of Chinese language
20% Week 07 1000wds equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Chinese-Language Writing Assignment 2
Chinese writing assignment - online
15% Week 09 500wds equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment Group Project
Group Project (online)
30% Week 11 1000wds equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Small test Test 2
Written Test of Chinese language
20% Week 13 1000wds equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Classwork: this includes attendance, preparation and participation in classes and homework exercises for every lesson. You should not only complete the required homework but also present it with good quality. Your classwork marks will also be based on whether you prepare regularly the textbook chapters or supplementary materials we study each week; whether you do the assigned exercises in the textbook as well as the class discussion questions before class; whether you participate actively in the various classroom speaking and writing activities, and on the quality of your contribution to these activities.
  • Writing Assignments: there will be writing tasks around the topics covered in class. You are required to read at least 3 reference sources (two of them or all must be in Chinese) about the topic. The assignments should best reflect your critical thinking and understanding of the topic with your own ideas and comments through research and reading.  You should take efforts to make links between the materials and your analysis. While accuracy and appropriateness of the vocabulary and grammar are all important, creative ideas and ability to apply the knowledge are essential.
  • Group Project: this comprises of a group presentation in class and a written reflection on the project. The group presentation requires 3-4 students to form a group and work on the approved topics related to what has been learned. Each group will be required to prepare power-point slides and make a presentation in front of the class. After the presentation and submission of the slides, each group will have a chance to reflect on your experience in this project by describing ‘behind the scenes'.
  • Written Tests: you will be tested on grammar, vocabulary, translation, written competence and other aspects of the Chinese language use. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

All content has moved online.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

 

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Reading Into a New China, Deciphering a Changing Society, Volume 1 (Second Edition), by Duanduan Li and Irene Liu, Publisher: Cheng & Tsui, Second Edition 2017​ ISBN: 978-1-62291-125-7​

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. continue improving your generic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing
  • LO2. expand your knowledge of contemporary Chinese society and be able to communicate in Chinese on various issues concerning everyday life
  • LO3. improve your ability to read authentic Chinese texts, including comprehension and analytical skills
  • LO4. develop effective writing skills, and be able to express yourself in more advanced and sophisticated Chinese
  • LO5. exercise team work skills and be able to collaborate with team mates.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.