Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Students need to expand their working knowledge of Mandarin Chinese and to further develop their macro-skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing after completing their first year elementary Mandarin units. This unit will provide learning activities to consolidate students' knowledge and command of the Mandarin Pinyin/Romanization system and at the same time more attention will be given to increasing students' competence in reading and writing Chinese characters. With progressive acquisition of the Chinese language, students will be further exposed to aspects and characteristics of Chinese culture.

N.B. This unit is for students who have successfully completed Introductory Mandarin Units HHB031/HHB051 and HHB032/HHB052 at QUT and for those who have completed an equivalent level of Mandarin learning elsewhere. Graduates from high schools who have completed Year 12 Mandarin should also enrol in this unit. Students who have undergone primary and secondary education in China and Taiwan are not eligible to take this unit. Students who cannot speak Mandarin Chinese but can read and write Chinese character script are not eligible either. They should enrol in AMB030 Mandarin for Chinese.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide students with further knowledge and skills in carrying out basic communicative tasks in a wide range of everyday situations where Mandarin is used.

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. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

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:
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a better command of Mandarin pronunciation and tones and the Chinese Romanization- /Pinyin system
2. Comprehend and produce recounts of past experiences;
3. Express comments on characteristics of the actions they themselves or others carry or carried out;
4. Make comparisons on people, things or places;
5. Extend good wishes appropriate for different occasions
6. Utter requests in the colloquial 'ba-sentence' structure
7. Read and write about 400 additional Chinese characters introduced in the unit;
8. Demonstrate a better understanding of Chinese society and culture.


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

Content

Topics to be covered:

1. Talking about past experiences
2. Making comments on actions and events
3. Making comparisons on people, things or places
4. Expressing durations of actions and events
5. Introducing about 400 new Chinese characters
6. Further exposure to Chinese culture

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

There will be two 2-hour sessions each week. An eclectic approach will be employed in 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. Students will be expected to actively participate in classroom activities and to do set homework outside class.

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: Mid-term Speaking
Description: On Speaking
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), (3.2), TW (4.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Mid-term Examination
Description: On Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), (3.2), SEU (5.1)
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: On Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), (3.2), TW (4.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight: 50%
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

Prescribed Textbook & Workbook

New Practical Chinese Reader 2: Textbook
New Practical Chinese Reader 2: Textbook Audio CDS (x4)
New Practical Chinese Reader 2: Workbook
New Practical Chinese Reader 2: Workbook Audio CDS (x2)

Other Resources
Chinese-English Dictionary

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: 18-Oct-2012