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Unit of study_

ASNS2002: Intro to Tibetan Language and Culture 2

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

The Tibetan language is an essential medium for understanding Buddhism and Asian history. This unit extends on Intro to Tibetan Language and Culture 1, focussing on written Tibetan and some further skills in spoken Tibetan. We will deepen grammatical knowledge, read short stories, and learn more about Himalayan cultures.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ASNS2002
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
ASNS1201
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jim Rheingans, jim.rheingans@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Written assignment: translation and analysis
Translation and grammatical analysis of a longer passage (10 days time)
30% -
Due date: 06 Jun 2022 at 23:00
2000wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Active participation
Active engagement in discussions and language training
10% Ongoing ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Translation Exercise 1
Testing translation via Canvas
5% Week 02 250 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Online task Grammar Exercises 1
Testing grammar from teaching material
7% Week 04 250wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Online task Translation Exercise 2
Testing translation via Canvas
5% Week 06 250 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Online task Grammar Exercise 2
Testing grammar from teaching material
7% Week 08 250 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Take home translation assignment
Translation of a shorter passage (1 week time). Submit via Canvas
25% Week 09
Due date: 25 Apr 2022 at 23:00
1000 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Online task Translation Exercise 3
Testing translation via Canvas
5% Week 10 250 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Online task Grammar Exercise 3
Testing grammar from teaching material
6% Week 12 250 wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Grammar Exercises. Simple questions about the grammar that we continuously learn from our teaching material in short Quizzes (in class).
  • Translation Exercises. Translating short passages that we have done in class in Quizzes to check your progress (in class).
  • Take home translation assignment. A shorter passage is translated at home during one week (to be submitted as file via canvas).
  • Written assignment: translation and analysis. A longer passage is translated and analysed during ten days with one question about the context (to be submitted as file via canvas).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

Credit

65 - 74

 

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks For ten weeks, the seminars will follow the second part of our coursebook along with studying shorter texts in order to complete our understanding of Tibetan grammar, train pronunciation, and translation. Seminar (30 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
For two weeks, we will focus on differences and commonalities of classical and spoken Tibetan including dialects and their contemporary global transformations. Seminar (6 hr) LO1 LO3
During two seminars, we will discuss selected topics of Himalayan cultures and religions. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Our main text book will be made available by the coordinator lesson by lesson as PDF script:

  • Rheingans, Jim; Bjerregaard, Maria and Frank Mueller-Witte. "Introduction to Classical Tibetan." Teaching Material for Students.

Additional material will be provided during the course. All other readings that might be needed for this unit can be accessed through the e-reading section, available on Canvas. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate further understanding of the Tibetan language, its script, pronunciation, and grammar and how these have been shaped by historical and cultural forces, and how knowledge of them is created through manuscripts and printing.
  • LO2. demonstrate proficiency in comparative analysis by understanding the linguistic currents that tie Tibetan and Tibeto-Burman languages together across Asia and the Himalayas, including the most important concepts necessary for understanding Tibetan religious, philosophical and literary traditions and cultural norms.
  • LO3. demonstrate a more differentiated understanding of Tibetan languages in a global perspective, including basic reading and speaking skills along with issues of dialect and language policies.
  • LO4. demonstrate skill in philological and linguistic approaches to Asian Studies and an ability to apply them in the effective and ethical communication of their knowledge.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

After the first time offering (which was already designed as remote offering due to the circumstances), no changes were made, but the teaching material was updated and improved.

Should you be interested in this course and have prior knowledge of classical and/or colloquial Tibetan, please contact the coordinator/lecturer whether it may possible to join.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.