97113 Chinese Culture and Heritage

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

Description

The subject is designed for students who are proficient in Chinese. It gives a brief survey of Chinese cultures and heritage. From both historical and local perspectives, the subject introduces a range of themes that are generally considered as important components of Chinese cultures. These themes include philosophy, religions and superstitions, Chinese characters, traditional architecture and gardens, as well as costumes and fashion. The subject aims to help students further develop their competence in the use of Chinese language and gain a solid knowledge of Chinese cultural heritage. It also engages them in exploring and examining the links between China's ancient past and cultural practices that are still carried out in contemporary China. Students' learning is achieved through a variety of channels involving pre-class readings, discussions, a peer presentation, and essay writing. By the end of the subject, students are expected to gain cultural understandings about China and its cultural phenomena.

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):

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.

Content (topics)

China is a country with five thousand years of history. To understand modern China, one must trace back and understand its past, and the consequences of the past upon the diversified cultures within China. This subject is an introduction to Chinese culture and heritage. It covers topics that reflect some of the most important elements of Chinese cultures. Through investigations and discussions of these topics, the links of some of the cultural practices between China’s past and present, and the significance of these practices can be established. Investigations are also extended to examine the links between differences in geographical features of various regions and the traditions and customs embodied in these regions. Explorations of these topics can help one to understand why Chinese people and people in different regions in China think, act and interact the way they do.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Online Discussions

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight:

30%

Length:

250 characters each

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Relevance of discussions to the topic	30	a	INT.2.1
Insightfulness of comments and analysis	30	c	INT.2.1
Objectivity and sensitivity towards cultural assumptions	10	c	INT.2.1
Structure, coherence and linguistic accuracy	30	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%

Length:

15 minutes

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 topic	20	c	INT.2.1
Objectivity and sensitivity towards cultural assumptions	10	c	INT.2.1
Communication, organization 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%

Length:

1000 characters

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Relevance of the source text to the arguments	20	a	INT.2.1
Depth and breadth of critical analysis of the topic	30	c	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. The weekly readings will be available in UTS Canvas.

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

Recommended texts

Chinese newspapers: Renmin ribao Haiwai Ban (People's Daily Overseas Edition)

SBS Chinese TV / Radio programs: Students are encouraged to watch/listen to news in modern standard Chinese (Putonghua) or watch Chinese movies. Please consult your teacher for advice.

Assessment: Students are encouraged to take the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) in Sydney HSK Centre. For more information, please log on www.hsk.com.au

References

Books:

Cai, Yanxin. 2014. Zhong hua wen hua: Jian zhu (?????? ???? "Chinese culture: Architecture"). Beijing: China Intercontinental Press.

Chang, Jun et al. 2016. An outline of Chinese culture (English edition). Beijing: Beijing University press.

Chen, Guangzhong. 2011. Zhongguo hong: Beijing hu tong (????? ??????"China red: Hutong in Beijing"). Hefei: Huang shan shu she.

Dong, Qiang. 2013. Zhongguo min su wen hua cong shu: Min ju juan (???????????????"Chinese folklore cuture series: Residence"). Hefei: Abhui ren min chu ban she.

Dong, Qiang. 2013. Zhongguo min su wen hua cong shu: Yin shi juan (???????????????"Chinese folklore cuture series: Diet"). Hefei: Abhui ren min chu ban she.

Guo, Xiaoguang. 2012. Zhongguo hong: Zhongguo hua. (????? ????? "China red: Chinese painting"). Hefei: Huang shan shu she.

Han, Jiantang. 2014. Zhong hua wen hua: Hanzi (?????????,“Chinese culture: Characters”). Beijing: China Intercontinental Press.

Hua, Mei. 2014. Zhong hua wen hua: Fu shi (??????????“Chinese culture: Clothing”). Beijing: China Intercontinental Press.

Jin, Xia. 2012. Zhongguo hong: Zhongguo jian zhu zhuang shi (????? ????????"China red: Chinese architectural decoration"). Hefei: Huang shan shu she.

Li, Zhaoping.,& Zhong, Xi. (Eds). 2008. Yong Yingyu shuo Zhongguo: Lu you. (????????????"Talk about China in English: Tourism). Shanghai: Shanghai ke xue bu ji chu ban she.

Lin, Shan. 2013. Zhongguo hong: Beijing zhong zhou xian. (????: ???????"China red: Medial axis of Bejing city"). Hefei: Huang shan shu she.

Liu, Junru. 2014. Zhong hua wen hua: Yin shi (?????????, “Chinese culture: Diet “).Beijing: China Intercontinental Press.

Lu, Yuanding & Lu, Qi. 2011. Zhongguo min ju jian zhu yi shu (??????????, “The architectural art of traditional vernacular homes of China”). Beijing: China Architecture and Building Press.

Shen, Zhou. 2012. Zhongguo hong: Gu dai fu shi (??????????,“China red: Ancient costumes and accessories” ). Hefei: Huang shan shu she.

Shi, Dingguo & Luo, Weidong. (eds) 2009. Hanzi de zhi hui (???????,“The wisdom of Chinese characters”). Beijing: Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

Tian, Huashi., & Zhong, Xi. (Eds). 2009. Yong Yingyu shuo Zhongguo: Yi shu. (????????????"Talk about China in English: Arts). Shanghai: Shanghai ke xue bu ji chu ban she.

Wang. P., & Chen, Y. (2017). Chinese for advanced learners: Language, society and culture (????????????????? ). AU: NewSouth Publishing.

Wu, Chun. 2014. Zhong hua wen hua: Zhe xue si xiang (?????? ??????"Chinese culture: philosophy"). Beijing: China Intercontinental Press.

Xu?J., & Ha, W. (2020). Senior Chinese Course: Chinese Language, Culture and Society (Revised Edition) ???????? ?????????? : Textbook. Singapore: Cengage Learning Asia.

Zhang, Yajun. 2008. A Kaleidoscope of Chinese Culture. (????????). Bejing: Sinolingua.

Audio-visual material:

Hanban. 2009. Han zi wu qian nian (????????“Five thousand years of Chinese characters”). DVD. Beijing: China international publishing group foreign language press.

Jiang, Liping. 2011. Nihao, Zhongguo (????????"Hello, China"). DVD. Beijing: High Education Press.