ASIA 1101 - Introduction to Chinese Society and Culture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

This course introduces both Chinese language and non-language students to aspects of Chinese culture and society through the use of lectures and videos but which may also include newspaper or web articles, scholarly papers and stories etc. We learn about some key aspects of Chinese society and some ways in which China's past influences the present. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, making it an excellent introduction to students of Chinese, Asian Studies and those majoring in International Studies, History, Politics or Anthropology. It will also help any student doing commerce or trade-related courses. With China's political and economic importance increasing every day, this is a course that no student can afford to miss if only to find out what you should go on to find out more about. Topics can include the idea of Confucianism, the roles and/or consequences of Daoism, Buddhism and folk religion, key aspects of cultural interactions (eg "face" or guanxi), the consequences of geography, traditional China and Chinese society under communism.

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Course Details

Course Code	ASIA 1101
Course	Introduction to Chinese Society and Culture
Coordinating Unit	Asian Studies
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assessment	Term quizzes, tutorial papers and presentation, major essay

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Gerry Groot

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Obtain knowledge and understanding of issues on Chinese society and culturecovered in the course
2	Understand cultural underpinnings of Chinese society and learn to interpretand analyse Chinese society from inside out
3	Integrate theoretical knowledge with empirical evidence
4	Learn to engage with the ideas and perspectives of other learners
5	Learn to analyse issues in Chinese society and culture critically andcreatively
6	Learn analytic skills for developing and defending an argument
7	Develop skills in synthesising and contextualisingnew information
8	Develop skills and confidence in participating inpublic discussion
9	Develop essay writing skills
10	Acquire research training skills

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	3, 5-7, 9-10
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-10
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	4, 8
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	2, 5, 7-10
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-10
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1-10
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1, 2, 4

Learning & Teaching Modes

The lectures provide an overview on the topic each week and the tutorial offers a problem-solving approach to learning. The course is especially designed for first year students to orient towards problem-based learning and to adapt to an advanced technological learning context.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

2 x 1-hour lectures (or equivalent) per week	24 hours per semester
1 x 1-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week	12 hours per semester
6 hours reading per week	72 hours per semester
2 hours research per week	24 hours per semester
2 hours assignment preparation per week	24 hours per semester
TOTAL WORKLOAD	156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	Approaches to Chinese Society & Culture I: Confucianism, Communism, Consumerism
Week 2	Approaches to Chinese Society & Culture II: The Symbolic Nature of Chinese Culture: the Great Wall
Week 3	Approaches to Chinese Society & Culture III: Orientalism, Occidentalism and Sinology
Week 4	Race, Nation, Identity and National Characteristics
Week 5	How to write a research essay
Week 6	The Foundations of Communist Culture
Week 7	Ancestors Worship vs. Authority Dependency
Week 8	Urban Society
Week 9	The Literati Tradition and Intellectuals as a Class
Week 10	Rural Society
Week 11	Gender and Women
Week 12	Current Issues and Overview

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Participation	Formative and summative	10%	1-6, 8
Tutorial presentation	Formative and summative	15%	4, 5, 8
Research essay (2,300 words)	Summative	40%	1-7, 9, 10
Reflective commentary	Formative and summative	5%	1, 3, 5, 8
Take-home exam (1,500 words)	Summative	30%	1-7, 9, 10

Assessment Related Requirements

Students should attend all the lectures. The weekly lecture introduces different aspects of Chinese
society and culture and contextualizes the issues found in the weekly readings. The tutorial is conducted on the assumption that every student has attended the lecture and has an adequate understanding of the topic.

Assessment Detail

Participation: participation in lectures and tutorial - 10% weighting.

Tutorial presentation: brief presentation on one tutorial topic - 15% weighting.

Research essay: a 2300 word essay on a chosen topic - 40% weighting.

Reflective commentary: a 200 word critical commentary on a video watched during tutorial - 5% weighting.

Take-home exam: a 1500 word exam which can be done at home - 30% weighting.

Submission

All assignments must be submitted electronically via MyUni.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator