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Unit of study_

CHNS2613: Communication and Social Change in China

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit examines the relationship between communication and social change in contemporary China, inclusive of mainland China, Hong Kong, and regional sites. Students will learn about selected major events and trends in Chinese societies. They will also learn about the use of communications, including new media, in selected major events. Theories that examine the consequences of communication on community development and democratic participation will be introduced.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CHNS2613
Academic unit Chinese Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in Chinese Studies or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Asian Studies or CHNS2601 or CHNS2001 or CHNS3601 or CHNS3000
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Joyce Nip, joyce.nip@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
In-semester test In-dept exam (equivalent to 1500 words)
Open-book exam (online)
30% -
Due date: 26 May 2020 at 11:50
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Presentation Case study presentation (equivalent to 500 words)
Tutorial presentation+online submission of transcript (online)
20% -
Closing date: 19 May 2020
500 words; 4 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Assignment Essay
Online submission
40% -
Due date: 06 Jun 2020 at 09:00
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Participation Class participation during real-time lectures and tutorials
Online participation
10% Ongoing
Due date: 30 Jun 2020 at 12:07
Worth 10% - online. 500 words; 4 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

All content has been moved online.

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.

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
Week 01 1. Introducing the unit; 2. Contextualising the unit content in the history of China Lecture (2 hr)  
1. Self-introduction; 2. Knowing each other; 3. Rules of interactions in class Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 02 Communication, society, and social change Lecture (2 hr)  
1. Closed-book in-class quiz 1; 2. Role of media and communications in social change Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 03 Modern newspapers and the demise of imperial China in 1911 Lecture (2 hr)  
1. Closed-book in-class quiz 2; 2. Shen Bao's coverage of the the Yang Yue lou case Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 04 1. Media and modernity in the Republic of China, 1911-1949; 2. Credible sources, academic referencing, and plagiarism Lecture (2 hr)  
Student presentations of case studies Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 05 Communication in the PRC during the Mao era (1949-1976) Lecture (2 hr)  
Student presentations of case studies Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 06 Spreading ideas of the democracy movements in the PRC, 1978 and 1989 Lecture (2 hr)  
Student presentations of case studies Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 07 1. Communication system in the PRC reform era since 1978; 2. Television and the globalisation of the PRC since the 1980s Lecture (2 hr)  
Student presentations of case studies Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 08 1. Social media and public opinion in the PRC since 2003; 2. Briefing about the exam Lecture (2 hr)  
Student presentations of case studies Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 09 Control and surveillance with big data in the PRC Lecture (2 hr)  
Student presentations of case studies Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 10 Media and the “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong, after 1997 Lecture (2 hr)  
Student presentations of case studies Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 11 Media and Taiwan’s democratisation, pre- and post-1987 Lecture (2 hr)  
Student presentations of case studies Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 12 The umbrella movement in Hong Kong and sunflower movement in Taiwan, 2014 Lecture (2 hr)  
Communication and social development in the post-mass media era Tutorial (1 hr)  
Week 13 Open-book in-class departmental exam Performance (2 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: Lectures of this unit will be recorded and made available to students on the unit’s Canvas site. 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

The reading list of this unit of study is accessible on the unit’s Canvas site.

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. acquire knowledge about significant historical moments in China, and their implications on communications
  • LO2. acquire knowledge about the use of communications in significant historical moments of China, and their implications on society
  • LO3. examine theoretical relationship between communication and social change in the context of historical moments in China
  • LO4. complete the research and presentation of a mini-case
  • LO5. complete a research essay
  • LO6. develop capability of participatory learning.

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.

Two in-class formative quizzes have been added.

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.