Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Mandarin Chinese is the Modern Standard Chinese spoken as the national language in China. It is also spoken by people in Taiwan, Singapore and in many Chinese communities outside China. This unit is designed for students who have little or no prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese and who will be instructed in the four macro-skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the language through an integrated communicative approach. Australia-born students of native Chinese parents who have some facility in Mandarin or another Chinese dialect will be considered on a case-by-case basis for enrolment. This subject is not for native speakers of other Chinese dialects who have undergone education in Chinese outside Australia and who can read and write Chinese character script. In this unit, both Pinyin (the Chinese phonetic spelling system) and Chinese characters are introduced with an increasing attention paid to reading and writing Chinese characters. An introduction to aspects of Chinese culture is an integral part of the language learning process.

Aims

This unit is aimed to help students lay a solid foundation in the use of Mandarin, i.e. Modern Standard Chinese.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools.

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Unit Objectives

The specific course learning goals that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Upon completion of this unit, students should:

1. Have acquired a basic working knowledge of the Mandarin sound system, which enables students to speak and read Chinese words and texts written in Chinese pinyin/phonetic spelling system;

2. Have learned a range of basic Mandarin language forms and structures, which enables students to conduct everyday exchanges within the range of topics studied;

3. Have developed a basic understanding of the Chinese writing system and have acquired the basic skills in reading and writing Chinese characters;

4. Have gained a preliminary understanding of some characteristics of Chinese society and culture.

Content

Topics to be covered will include:

1. General introduction to Chinese language;
2. Mandarin Pinyin system (Mandarin pronunciation and tones)
3. Introduction to Chinese character writing;
4. Everyday formulaic social expressions, i.e. greetings, farewell, etc;
5. Chinese currency system and changing currencies
6. Buying food, drinks and other things;
7. Talking about nationalities, people, places and objects;
8. Asking for and telling about the location of things and people.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

There will be two 2-hour sessions each week. An eclectic approach will be employed to the delivery of the unit contents - communicative skills will be developed through a wide range of tasks and activities, which includes pair-work, group work and individual homework on a regular basis.

Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation


• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary


• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation


• Indirect: to the whole class


For assessment of Practicals, student answers will be discussed in class and correct answers provided. For exams on paper, the marked papers will be given to students to look at, correct answers will be provided, and a list of common mistakes will be discussed in class.

Assessment name: Practicals
Description: Ongoing assessment on homework
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives:1-4and AoL: KS 1.1, KS 1.2, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1, PC 3.2, TW 4.1, SEU 5.1
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weekly


Assessment name: Mid-term Examination
Description: It includes: Listening, Speaking, Reading & Writing
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives:1-4 and AoL: KS 1.1, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1, PC 3.2, SEU 5.1
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 6-10


Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: It includes: Listening, Speaking, Reading & Writing
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives:1-4and AoL:KS 1.1, CTA 2.1, PC 3.1, PC 3.2, SEU 5.1
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period


Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Textbooks & other resources

Short-Term Spoken Chinese Book 1
Short-Term Spoken Chinese CDs1x2
Hanyu Xiezuo Jiaocheng
(A Coursebook in Chinese Writing: Elementary Book 1, Type A)

Textbooks are available from QUT Bookstore, Gardens Point Campus.

Textbooks are to be purchased prior to commencement of the subject.

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Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 20-Dec-2012