University of Technology Sydney

97111 Chinese Festivals and Ceremonies

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: International Studies: International Studies and Languages
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 97106 Chinese Language and Culture 6

Note

This subject is taught in Chinese.

Description

The subject is designed for students who are proficient in Chinese. The teaching focuses on major Chinese festivals and ceremonies. By exposing students to a range of Chinese texts, the subject aims to strengthen their knowledge of Chinese culture as a living experience and their understanding of Chinese ideas, beliefs and values embedded in daily practices and cultural conventions. It also aims to develop students' abilities of critical inquiry and in-depth analysis through class discussions, debates, oral presentations, reading, and writing. By the end of this subject, students have broadened their understanding of Chinese cultural traditions and conventions as well as gained a sound knowledge of Chinese festivals and ceremonies.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Comprehend and respond to complex texts in oral and written Chinese.
b. Produce complex texts in oral and written Chinese.
c. Demonstrate intercultural awareness across two or more cultural contexts.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):

  • Understand and employ effective strategies to operate within professional and everyday settings across diverse cultures in Australia and/or internationally. (INT.1.1)
  • Evaluate critically theoretical and specialised knowledge of contemporary societies, cultures and workplaces. (INT.2.1)
  • Understand and engage with cultural diversities in Australia and/or internationally. (INT.3.1)
  • Communicate effectively and appropriately in an additional language for everyday and professional purposes. (INT.3.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject uses a communicative approach in class to maximise students' potential for effective communication in the target language. A series of activities such as interactive activities working in pairs, small and large groups and/or presentations, are promoted in class to enhance students' engagement through content-based learning. Preparation for class activities requires students to complete exercises and reading/listening/viewing activities prior to class to make effective use of resources and subject material (including resources online), community and peer resources available to them to support their learning.

Students are encouraged to customise their learning experience as per the Global Chinese approach to promote their engagement with Chinese peoples and societies. This entails keeping in mind their goals for the use of Chinese (for instance studying abroad or travel in a particular country or region) and tailoring their practice and learning to maximize exposure to local variants of the language, relevant cultural norms and authentic materials from the area.

As part of an immersive approach to language education, students are encouraged to use the target language within the classroom environment and to build confidence to use the target language outside the classroom. The approximate time commitment expected from students is 12 hours per week, including class time.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Online Recordings

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 30%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Accuracy, relevance and scale of knowledge to the topic 30 a INT.2.1
Depth of understanding of the topic in its own cultural setting 30 c INT.1.1
Communication, organisation and creativity of the presentation 40 b INT.3.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Presentation

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 30%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Accuracy, relevance and scale of knowledge to the topic 30 a INT.2.1
Insightfulness of personal reflections on the cultural implications of the topic 30 c INT.2.1
Communication, organisation and creativity of the presentation 40 b INT.3.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Essay

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 40%
Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Depth and breadth of critical analysis of the topic 25 c INT.3.1
Relevance of the source text to the arguments 25 a INT.3.1
Objectivity and sensitivity towards cultural assumptions 10 c INT.3.1
Organisation, structure, coherence, and linguistic accuracy 30 b INT.3.2
Quantity and variety of references 10 a INT.2.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Attendance at tutorials is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential work-shopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. A roll will be taken at each class. If you are late to class and not present when the roll is taken, it is your responsibility to tell your tutor at the end of that class so that your attendance can be recorded. Please note that if you are more than 30 minutes late, you will be noted as absent. Students who miss more than 85% of their classes will be refused their final assessment, i.e. Assessment Task 3: Essay (see Rule 3.8). In order to pass this subject, students must earn an overall total of 50 marks or more.

Required texts

There is no prescribed textbook for this subject. Weekly readings are available in UTSCanvas.

Students should also be aware of the Policies and Procedures for Assessment of Coursework Subjects:

http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/assessment-coursework-policy.html,

http://www.gsu.uts.edu.au/policies/assessment-coursework-procedures.html

References

  1. Beijing shifan daxue. (2009). Kan Zhongguo (?????? China highlights: Quick introduction to Chinese culture? Video & DVD?. Beijing : Beijing shi fan da xue chu ban she.
  2. Beijing Language and Culture University. (2014). Zhongguo minsu ( ???????China’s folk customs ?DVD). Beijing: Beijing language and Culture University Electronic and audiovisual Press.
  3. Beijing Language and Culture University. (2014). Tansuo Zhongguo wenhua (?????????Exploring Chinese culture ?DVD), Beijing: Beijing language and Culture University Electronic and audiovisual Press.
  4. Dong, Q. (2013). Zhongguo minsu wenhua congshu? Zanglijuan (???????????????Chinese folklore culture series: Funeral). Hefei: Anhui People's Publishing House.
  5. Dong, Q. (2013). Zhongguo minsu wenhua congshu:Hunyin juan (?????????: ?????Chinese folklore culture series: Marriagel). Hefei: Anhui People's Publishing House.
  6. Dong, Q.(2013). Zhongguo minsu wenhua congshu: Jieqing juan (???????????????Chinese folklore culture series: Festivals). Hefei: Anhui People's Publishing House.
  7. Feng, G. (2011). Chinese Lifestyle: Chinese rites and rituals, Beijing: China Intercontinental Press.
  8. Hunan Jinxiu shenzhou yingshi wenhua chuanmei youxian gongxi. (2014). Jinxiu shenzhou: jieri de gushi (?????? ??????, Jinxiu shenzhou: Festival stories). Tianjin: Tianjin People's publishing House.
  9. Huang, Y. (2022). Suiyue huan: Zhongguo chuantong jieri zhong de si shi huan ??????????????????). Beijing: Beijing University Press.
  10. Jian, J. (Ed.). (2013). Zhongguo hunsu (??????, Wedding: Customs in China). Beijing: Shi dai chu ban chuan mei gu fen gong si.
  11. Jiang, L. (Ed.). Nihao, Zhonguo (???????, Hello, China, DVD). Beijing: Higher Education Press
  12. Karthik, S. (2022). Chinese festivals: Introduction to Chinese culture ( ?????????? ???????). SKMLifeStyle.cpm
  13. Li, S. (ed). (2014). Zhongguo jieqing wenhua congshu. (??????????, Chinese festival culture series). Hefei: Anhui People's Publishing House.
  14. Ma,Y.,& Li, X. (2016). ????????. In Y. Ma & X. Li (Ed.), ? ????????? (Chinese made easy, Textbook 5) (pp.178-191). Hong Kong: Joint Publishing (H.K) Co.,Ltd.
  15. Qi, X. (2010). Zhongguo jieri (??????, Chinese festivals). Beijing: Foreign Language Press.
  16. Scott, J. L. (2007). For gods, ghosts and ancestors: The Chinese tradition of paper offerings. Seattle: University of Washington Press,
  17. Wang, K. (2002). Zhongguo de min jian jie ri (?????????, Chinese Folk Festivals). Beijing: Guo li bian yi guan.
  18. Wang, L.(Ed.). (2018). Zhonghua minsu tongjian: Hunsang jiaqu (???????? ?????? Chinese folk customs: Wedding and funeral). Beijing: Zhuangxian Book company.
  19. Wang, L. (Ed.). (2018). Zhonghua minsu tongjian:Jiesu daguan (?????????????? Chinese folk customs: Festival customs). Beijing: Zhuangxian Book company.
  20. Wang, X. (2014). Zhongguo wenhua: Jieri (?????? ???, Chinese culture: Festivals). Beijing: China Intercontinential Press.
  21. Wang. P., & Chen, Y. (2017). Chinese for advanced learners: Language, society and culture (????????????????? ). AU: NewSouth Publishing.
  22. Wei, L. 2005. Zhongguo jieri: Chuantong xisu he yishi (????? ???????? "Chinese Festivals: Traditions, customs and rituals). Beijing: China Intercontinental Press.
  23. Wang, X. (2014). Zhongguo wenhua: Jieri (?????? ???, Chinese culture: Festivals). Beijing: China Intercontinental Press.
  24. Xu?J., & Ha, W. (2020). Senior Chinese Course: Chinese Language, Culture and Society (Revised Edition) ??????????????????? : Textbook. Singapore: Cengage Learning Asia.
  25. Yu, S. (2023). Gei haizi de jieri zhi shu ????????????A festival book for children ). Beijing: Taihai Publishing House.
  26. Zhao, H. (2017). Nianjie xisu (??????, Festival customs). Beijing: Wenhua Yishu Publishing House.
  27. Zhao, Y. (2013). Zhong hua wen hua -shi wan ge wei shen me: Jie ri jie qi ??????-?????????????Chinese culturre- One hundred thousand questions: Festivals and solar terms). Beijing: China book company.

Chinese newspapers

Renmin Ribao Haiwai Ban (?????? ????People’s Daily Overseas Edition)

Zhongguo Jiaoyu Bao (????????China Education Daily)

Further study & research advice

Students are encouraged to watch/listen to the news in modern standard Chinese (Putonghua) or see Chinese movies. Please consult your teacher for advice.