This subject is offered by the School of Modern Languages.
Chinese language provision in the School of Modern Languages combines practical language study and communication skills with the study of Chinese culture. At Newcastle we adopt a largely sociological and anthropological approach to understanding East Asian cultures, rather than seeking an understanding through the study of literature. If you are a Combined Studies student you are expected to spend one third of your time on Chinese language study.
At Stage 1 you take introductory modules in Chinese. The emphasis is on communication skills and no prior knowledge of Chinese is necessary. At Stages 2 and 3 you build on the language skills developed in Stage 1 with further Chinese modules.
Alongside these modules we offer a choice of modules on Chinese culture and society that you could take if they fit into your plan of study. In Stage 3 you could also write a dissertation on an approved topic relating to the culture of China, supervised by one of our members of staff.
In your intercalating year you will spend the year abroad in China, which gives you the opportunity to practise the language skills you have developed.
The year abroad is spent studying at a university with which we have links.
Chinese can be studied from scratch, post-GCSE or post-A level (or equivalent) standards.
Further information
Please note that a maximum of two language subjects can be taken together and only one of these can be at beginners’ level. Chinese and Japanese cannot be taken together.
Please note that from 2012 entry onwards no more than one Modern Language can be continued past Stage 1.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | ||
| Level A: | ||
| CHN1003 | Level A Chinese Language I | 20 credits |
| CHN1004 | Level A Chinese Language II | 20 credits |
| CHN1005 | Introduction to Chinese Culture | 20 credits |
| Level B: | ||
| CHN2001 | Level B Chinese Language | 40credits |
| CHN1005 | Introduction to Chinese Culture | 20 credits |
| Stage 2 | ||
| CHN2001 | Level B Chinese | 40 credits |
| CHN2004 | Studying Contemporary Chinese Society | 20 credits |
| CHN2005 | Gender & Media in Modern China | 20 credits |
Intercalating year
Students taking a language as a subject must spend an entire academic year abroad in a country where their chosen language is spoken between Stages 2 and 3. This shall be their Intercalating Stage. While abroad they shall take the following modules: SML3004 Personal Learning Record (100 credits) SML3005 Intercalary Project (20 credits) or SML3006 Study Abroad (20 credits).
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 3 | ||
| CHN4001 | Level C Chinese | 40 credits |
| CHN4006 | Stars in Chinese Cinema | 20 credits |
| CHN4004 | Nation and Nationalisms | 20 credits |
| SML4099 | Dissertation [China] | 20 credits |
| JPN2106 | Elementary Japanese I | 20 credits |
| JPN2105 | Elementary Japanese II | 20 credits |