This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)
Module CHNS1021: Introduction to Chinese Culture
Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Chinese)
CHNS1021: Introduction to Chinese Culture
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 1 | 20 | Available in 2016/2017 | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- None.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- Module not available for students on the BA Modern Languages and Cultures (with Year Abroad) (R002) programme
Aims
- To offer students a general introduction to Chinese culture to complement their linguistic studies and provide a framework for deeper study of the subject
Content
- An introduction, to the geography of China and its impact on China’s development followed by an outline of Chinese history over the last four millennia, and a discussion of major aspects of philosophy, literature and art.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Basic features of China’s geography and history and their impact on China’s development over the last four millennia, and key features of Chinese philosophy, literature and art. The ability to demonstrate a reasoned awareness and a critical, comparative understanding Chinese culture and society
Subject-specific Skills
- The ability to describe, explain and evaluate significant elements in the history, literature, culture, and sociology of China, and the ability to make effective intercultural connections and comparisons. The ability to relate key features of China’s history and culture to the study of modern China and the enhancement of communicative skills with Chinese people.
Key Skills
- The ability to communicate ideas and information orally and in writing, devise and sustain coherent and cogent arguments
- The ability to employ the sophisticated reading skills acquired to gather, sift, process, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources (print, digital, aural, other audio-visual)
- The ability to write and think under pressure, manage time and work to deadlines
- The ability to make effective use of information and communications technology
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures to present structured information
- seminars to develop student skills in information retrieval and oral presentation
- summative essays to develop analytical and presentational skills
- end of year examination to ensure acquisition of basic knowledge.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 21 | Weekly | 1 hour | 21 | |
| Seminars | 10 | Fortnightly | 1 hour | 10 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 169 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination 1 | 60% | Written Examination | 2 hours | 100% | |
| Summative Essay 1 | 15% | Summative Essay 1 | 1000 words | 100% | |
| Summative Essay 2 | 25% | Summative Essay 2 | 2000 words | 100% |
Formative Assessment
None.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.