Chinese Studies BA

Core modules:

Chinese Language 1A

This module is focusing on receptive activities and written productive activities in Chinese language. It aims to enable students to acquire basic competence in grammar, reading, writing and translation both from and into Chinese skills. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to do something practical in writing. Chinese characters and sentences are introduced from the earliest stages.

20 credits

Chinese Language 2A

This module is focusing on receptive activities and written productive activities in Chinese language. It aims to enable students to acquire basic competence in grammar, reading, writing and translation both from and into Chinese skills. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to do something practical in writing Chinese characters and sentences are introduced from the earliest stages.

20 credits

Exploring East Asia

This module introduces students to the study of modern East Asia. Beginning by encouraging consideration of what the subject of East Asian Studies is, it then introduces the following key topics: East Asian Geography and Environment, History, Culture and Media, Economics and Business, and Political Relations. In parallel with this content, the module also introduces core academic skills as follows: independent, lecture and seminar study; reflective practice; critical information, digital and visual literacy; evidence and argument in academic writing, and appropriate examination techniques. These two elements provide a firm foundation of knowledge and abilities for higher level study.

20 credits

Chinese Language 2B

This module is focusing on interactive activities in Chinese. It aims to enable students to acquire basic competence in speaking and listening skills. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to communicate in Chinese through a variety of activities.

10 credits

Chinese Language 1B

This module is focusing on interactive activities in Chinese. It aims to enable students to acquire basic competence in speaking and listening skills. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to communicate in Chinese through a variety of activities.

10 credits

Optional modules:
You will take one of the following Understanding China modules. Each module has a humanities or social sciences focus and will look at a core text, which has played a significant role in developing an intricate, understanding of China. The content of these modules change regularly to ensure they are topical and make the best use of our staff expertise.

you can take up to 20 credits in guided modules from across the University.

Understanding China 1

This module explores what it means to study China at university level, and considers how `area studies' research on China fits within a discipline such as history, political science, or cultural studies. We will work on a combination of new and established research to explore one core topic - in this year, the history of twentieth-century Shanghai as seen from the grassroots. We will consider how histories of China are built, how researchers use primary evidence in text and/or images to understand social change; how to navigate key debates in a field and evaluate competing arguments. You will finish this module with a deep understanding of our core topic and research, critical and writing skills that you can apply and develop in further study.

20 credits

Understanding China 2

This module explores what it means to study China at university level, and considers how `area studies' research on China fits within a discipline such as economics, business or development. We will work on a combination of new and established research to explore core topics in China's twentieth-century economic development, and consider how China's economy has changed, how researchers use different conceptual frameworks and types of primary evidence from statistics to propaganda posters to explain economic change and its wider impact; how to use the different types of work published in the field and evaluate competing arguments in key debates. You will finish this module with a deep understanding of our core topic and research, critical and writing skills that you can apply and develop in further study.

20 credits

Core modules:

Chinese Language 3A (Level 2)

This module focuses on receptive activities and written productive activities in the Chinese language at the post-beginning to lower-intermediate level. It acts as a transition between the teacher-centred learning required for the acquisition of elementary and intermediate language skills, and the autonomous and self-directed learning required at more advanced levels. More grammar points are introduced and consolidated. Translation and functional reading skills are extended, with longer and more complicated texts.

20 credits

Chinese Language 4A (Level 2)

This module focuses on receptive activities and written productive activities in Chinese language at lower intermediate level consolidating the knowledge learned from semester 1. This module acts as a transition between the teacher-centred learning required for the acquisition of basic and intermediate language skills, and the autonomous and self-directed learning required at more advanced levels. Previous grammar knowledge will be consolidated and more advanced grammar points will be introduced. Translation and functional reading skills are extended, with longer and more complicated texts.

20 credits

Chinese Language 3B (Level 2)

This module is focusing on oral and aural activities in Chinese language at at the post-beginning to lower-intermediate level. Every week students are made aware of and given the opportunity to practise spoken applications of specific themes, which is shared with the grammar and writing components.

10 credits

Chinese Language 4B (Level 2)

This module is focusing on oral and aural activities in Chinese language at lower intermediate level consolidating the knowledge learned from semester 1. Every week students are made aware of and given the opportunity to practise spoken applications of given themes, which is shared with the grammar and writing components.

10 credits

Optional modules:
You will choose one of the following modules

Mass Culture and Digital Society in East Asia

This module takes a transcultural approach to the study of mass culture and digital society in East Asia, tracing the adoption, adaptation, and innovation of a variety of media over the twentieth and twenty-first century. We will examine how mass culture, from radio and literature to art, entertainment and social media have continuously negotiated the concept of “national” identity across East Asia.

20 credits

Gender and Identities in East Asia

This module offers an overview of the study of gender and its connection to social, cultural, political and economic discourses across East Asia. Covering key issues related to the structures and dynamics of gender in East Asia, we learn to situate these dynamics in their historical and cultural context using case studies drawn from across the region.

20 credits

Optional modules:
You will also choose one of the following modules

you can take up to 20 credits in guided modules from across the University.

Chinese Business and Management

This module examines key topics regarding the Chinese business environment and practice, and explores issues encountered by international businesses operating in China or doing business with the Chinese. Broad themes include Chinese business culture, reform and management of state-owned enterprises, development of the private sector and managing private enterprises, investing and operating foreign businesses in china, human resource management and Chinese consumer behaviour. It introduces some basic management concepts and competing theories that are relevant to studying Chinese business and management. It helps students develop critical, analytical and research skills and enhance their cultural agility.

20 credits

Contemporary Chinese Society and Culture

This module introduces students to different ways of thinking about Chinese society and culture. In particular, we focus on sociological, anthropological and geographical approaches to contemporary Chinese society and culture, showing why and how China is important to current theoretical debates in these disciplines.

20 credits

East Asian Cinema

This module will examine key East Asian film directors, cinematic movements and industry developments since 1945, and introduce you to some of the key cinematic theoretical frameworks such as national and global cinemas, gender, spectatorship. We will examine the ways in which selected films and directors interact with the history and culture of their respective nations. We will also teach and assess a range of transferable media skills. This module is designed to encourage students to critically examine both the text (the films) and the context (the national environmental, film festival circuit, film finance) that surrounds any film work.

20 credits

Gender and Identities in East Asia

This module offers an overview of the study of gender and its connection to social, cultural, political and economic discourses across East Asia. Covering key issues related to the structures and dynamics of gender in East Asia, we learn to situate these dynamics in their historical and cultural context using case studies drawn from across the region.

20 credits

Mass Culture and Digital Society in East Asia

This module takes a transcultural approach to the study of mass culture and digital society in East Asia, tracing the adoption, adaptation, and innovation of a variety of media over the twentieth and twenty-first century. We will examine how mass culture, from radio and literature to art, entertainment and social media have continuously negotiated the concept of “national” identity across East Asia.

20 credits

Modern Chinese History: Beyond Revolution

This module will examine key themes in the histories of China's short twentieth century, and the ways in which new approaches in scholarship have influenced understanding of China's recent past. While the structure of the module is loosely chronological, our emphasis is not on the detail of events but on critical analysis of broad social and political changes. You will explore these developments through individual and group work on new historical scholarship on China and a range of primary textual and visual sources, and develop critical, research and writing skills and an understanding of how Chinese histories are built.

20 credits

Urbanisation in China

This module examines the driving forces, socio-economic and spatial consequences of the rapid urbanisation in the world's most populated country, through the disciplines of urban studies, human geography and development studies. It also compares and contrasts China's urbanisation experience with that in other developing countries. By discussing the key concepts on urbanisation and development together with the socio-economic and institutional specificities in China, you will gain a deep understanding of China¿s urbanisation process, and develop transferable skills of research, writing and critical analysis.

20 credits

Core module:

China Year Abroad

This year abroad at Nanjing University is designed to equip students with more advanced language skills, as well as to immerse them in Chinese culture, enabling them to take part in a range of structured and informal learning experiences to develop their familiarity with the Chinese social, cultural and physical environments. On completion of the module they will have acquired facility in operating with confidence with a Chinese language environment, possessing a vocabulary of around 3000 characters. Both of these elements are essential for progression to Level 3. Where extenuating circumstances prevent a cohort, or a large portion of a cohort, from completing a complete academic year abroad, the School of East Asian Studies will provide alternative arrangements for students to meet the language learning outcomes.

120 credits

Core modules:

East Asian Dissertation

The East Asian dissertation requires that students produce an extended and focused study of a subject of their own choice, within the scope of their degree programme, and allows students to refine and extend their independent research, analytical and writing skills. The unit is delivered through a combination of group meetings in lecture or seminar format and through individual supervision.

40 credits

Chinese Language 5

This module builds on skills acquired acquired at Level 1 and Level 2. It is divided into four sections, each one focussing on a key linguistic skill which is demanded of adult foreign users of the language. These skills are: interpreting between Chinese and English; reading comprehension of sophisticated non-literary texts; writing in Chinese - with a focus on formal correspondence; and speaking, with a focus on job interviews and presentations. Group work, with students selecting their own materials for study, is a key element of the module, enabling students to develop as independent learners.

20 credits

Chinese Language 6

This module builds on skills acquired inChinese Language 5. It is divided into four sections, each one focussing on a key linguistic skill which is demanded of adult foreign users of the language. These skills are: interpreting between Chinese and English; summarisation of information bearing texts; writing in Chinese ¿ with a focus on short reports and the interpretation of data; and speaking, with a focus on group and individual presentations. Group work, with students determining their own materials for study, is a key element of the module, enabling students to develop as independent learners.

20 credits

Optional module:
In your final year you will bring together the knowledge you've gained throughout your studies modules in a research project based on a Humanities or Social Sciences based topic. You will take one Researching China module and it’s complimentary research project module.
The content of these modules change regularly to ensure they are topical and make the best use of our staff expertise

you can take up to 20 credits in guided modules from across the University.

Researching China 1

This unit explores some of the key debates and latest empirical developments in a specific field of research currently undertaken by a member of SEAS staff in Chinese Studies. It enables students to understand how research questions are formulated and answered by exploring the member of staff's disciplinary focus, the range of theoretical approaches employed, and the various methodologies available in researching this field.

20 credits

Researching China 2

This unit explores some of the key debates and latest empirical developments in a specific field of research currently undertaken by a member of SEAS staff in Chinese Studies. It enables students to understand how research questions are formulated and answered by exploring the member of staff's disciplinary focus, the range of theoretical approaches employed, and the various methodologies available in researching this field.

20 credits

China Research Project 1

In this module, you will work as part of a small team within a scenario set by a SEAS staff member that relates to his/her field of research as explored in EAS3023. You will answer a research question by choosing an appropriate methodology, allocating specific tasks within your team, organising your time and reflecting on the research process both individually and collectively. Specific projects will include appropriate research training provided by the module organiser and/or 301. At the end of the module you will produce a research output and display it as part of a programme-wide and School-wide event to specialised/non-specialised audiences.

20 credits

China Research Project 2

In this module, you will work as part of a small team within a scenario set by a SEAS staff member that relates to his/her field of research as explored in EAS3023. You will answer a research question by choosing an appropriate methodology, allocating specific tasks within your team, organising your time and reflecting on the research process both individually and collectively. Specific projects will include appropriate research training provided by the module organiser and/or 301. At the end of the module you will produce a research output and display it as part of a programme-wide and School-wide event to specialised/non-specialised audiences.

20 credits