CHIN 3232 - Research Project for Chinese Speakers

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course is designed for students to build on the understandings learnt in 'Issues in Chinese Culture' where appropriate, in order to gain a deeper insight into the complexity of issues covered. It caters for the special needs of international students with native or near native Chinese language proficiency who are studying in an English language environment. The course aims to bridge the gaps between Chinese and Australian education systems by capitalising on students' previous learning and enhancing their academic experiences in Australia; and to provide Chinese-speaking international students with a language rich and research rigorous alternative directly relevant to their transcultural experience and futures. They will learn how to frame a research problem and devise appropriate and effective ways of examining it. Students will further develop their research writing, as well as critical and analytical skills which will prepare them for Honours studies. In the workshops the instructing and learning languages will be both Chinese and English. By the end of the semester students will be familiar with some of the central concerns of Chinese culture and with a different cultural perspective from which to view oneself, one's culture and society. Each student will complete a research project (5,000 Chinese characters or equivalent) on a topic agreed by the lecturer.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHIN 3232
    Course Research Project for Chinese Speakers
    Coordinating Unit Asian Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Prerequisites 12 units of Level I study
    Assumed Knowledge Native or near native Chinese language proficiency
    Course Description This course is designed for students to build on the understandings learnt in 'Issues in Chinese Culture' where appropriate, in order to gain a deeper insight into the complexity of issues covered. It caters for the special needs of international students with native or near native Chinese language proficiency who are studying in an English language environment. The course aims to bridge the gaps between Chinese and Australian education systems by capitalising on students' previous learning and enhancing their academic experiences in Australia; and to provide Chinese-speaking international students with a language rich and research rigorous alternative directly relevant to their transcultural experience and futures. They will learn how to frame a research problem and devise appropriate and effective ways of examining it. Students will further develop their research writing, as well as critical and analytical skills which will prepare them for Honours studies. In the workshops the instructing and learning languages will be both Chinese and English. By the end of the semester students will be familiar with some of the central concerns of Chinese culture and with a different cultural perspective from which to view oneself, one's culture and society. Each student will complete a research project (5,000 Chinese characters or equivalent) on a topic agreed by the lecturer.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Baohui Xie

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Engage with the ideas and perspectives of other learners
    2 Develop the ability to set appropriate goals and to work independently and/or cooperatively
    3 Develop skills in synthesising and contextualising new information
    4 Develop skills and confidence in participating in public discussion
    5 Develop essay writing skills and the ability to communicate ideas effectively
    6 Acquire research training skills, and the ability to argue from evidence
    7 Increase an understanding of and respect for cultural differences and diversities intranscultural communication
    8 Develop an awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities
    9 Acquire a different cultural perspective from which to view oneself, one’s culture and society
    10 Acquire discipline-specific knowledge and specialised understanding of cross-cultural theories and debates
    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, 3, 5, 6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2, 5, 6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1, 2, 5
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 6
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 7, 8, 9
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 4, 8, 9, 10
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 8, 9, 10
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course is run via workshops.
    Workload

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

    3 hours workshops (or equivalent) per week 36 hours per semester
    4 hours research per week 48 hours per semester
    6 hours assignment preparation per week 72 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction: Transcultural Communication
    Week 2  Multilingual Framing: Requirements  and Assessments
    Week 3 Introduction to Research and Research Communication
    Week 4 Writing a Research Essay: Logic and Argument
    Week 5 Writing a Research Essay : Criteria for success
    Week 6 Structuring and Reviewing Research Questions
    Week 7 Presentation of Research Proposal
    Week 8 Presentation of Research Proposal
    Week 9 Presentation of Research Proposal
    Week 10 Presentation of Research Proposal
    Week 11 Presentation of Research Proposal
    Week 12 Reflecting and Debriefing
    Specific Course Requirements
    This course is designed for students to build on the understandings learnt in CHIN 3231 Issues in Chinese Culture where appropriate, in order to gain a deeper insight into the complexity of issues covered.
  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Participation, in-class learning activities and commentary                Formative and Summative 30% 1-10
    Annotated bibliography (600-800 words) Summative 10% 3, 5, 6
    Presentation of research proposal Formative and Summative 20% 1-4, 7-9
    Research essay    (4000-4200 words) Summative 40% 1-10
    Assessment Detail
    Participation, in-class learning and commentary: students will attend and participate in workshops - 30% weighting.

    Annotated bibliography: 600-800 word bibliography - 10% weighting.

    Presentation of research proposal: students will present a research proposal based on their research essay in class -20% weighting.

    Research essay: students will submit a 4000-4200 word research essay - 40% 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.

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