CHNS1601: Semester 1, 2023

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Units CHNS1601 Semester 1 2023 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

CHNS1601: Understanding Contemporary China

Overview

This unit of study introduces key topics essential to understanding contemporary Chinese society and culture, including geography and environment, recent social and political change, art, literature and cultural practice, population and economic structure, education systems and issues of gender and sexuality. As a foundational unit in Chinese studies, it assumes no background knowledge of China or the Chinese language. It will be taught in English with an interdisciplinary approach.

Details

Academic unit	Chinese Studies
Unit code	CHNS1601
Unit name	Understanding Contemporary China
Session, year ?	Semester 1, 2023
Attendance mode	Normal day
Location	Remote
Credit points	6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions ?	ASNS1101
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator	Yu Sang, yu.sang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jiefen Li , jiefen.li@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Jiefen Li , jiefen.li@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Class presentation n/a	20%	Multiple weeks	1000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	In-class test n/a	30%	Multiple weeks	1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial participation n/a	10%	Ongoing
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay n/a	40%	Week 11 Due date: 08 May 2023 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
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.

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.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Administration of Unit; Land, People and Culture	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Presentation Allocation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	From Imperial China to Communist China	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Chinese Traditions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Land Reforms and Mass Campaigns, 1949-1978	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Modern Transformation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Economic Open-Door Policy since 1978	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Mass Campaigns	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Class and Social Stratification	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Consequences of Economic Reforms	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Government and Politics since 1978	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	The Rural Condition	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Gender Issues	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Government and Politics	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	In-Class Test I (during the lecture) Rural Administration and Reforms	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Gender Issues	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Urbanization	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Rural Reforms	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Social Organization	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Urbanization	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	China's Developmental Model	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Urbanization	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	China beyond the Hinterland	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Environment and Health	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	In-Class Test II (during the lecture) Summary	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	China beyond the Hinterland	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Dillon, M. (2009), Contemporary China: an Introduction. London and new York: Routledge

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate introductory factual knowledge about contemporary Chinese society and culture
LO2. demonstrate a knowledge of different perspectives of understanding China
LO3. critically understand these different perspectives and reflect upon your own preconceptions.

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
Learning outcomes

Closing the loop

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

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Current students

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Disclaimer

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