Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

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

Rationale

This subject continues to help students develop the four macro-skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through an integrated communicative approach. While there is still further consolidation of the knowledge of the Pinyin Romanization system, greater attention is to be devoted to the speech of everyday conversations and to the the reading and writing of Chinese characters. With acquisition of the Chinese language, students will receive further exposure to aspects and characteristics of Chinese culture.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to help students consolidate their command of Chinese pronunciation and tones, and to expand their knowledge of basic Chinese sentence structures and further their skills in applying the structures to communicate in various everyday situations.

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

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

The unit objectives are based on the learning outcomes specific to this unit which reflect the graduate capabilities identified as desirable for current graduates.
Unit Objectives

Unit Objectives

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

1. Demonstrate more confidence and competence in speaking Chinese words and sentences in correct pronunciation and tones;

2. Use a range of basic sentence structures to converse on everyday topics such as family members, work and occupations, clock and calendar times, colours and sizes of objects, and locations of people, things and places;

3. Use a range of basic sentence structures to perform in Mandarin Chinese such functions as shopping, dining out in a restaurant, and asking or telling directions;

4. Recognise about 800 and write more than 400 Chinese characters;

5. Have a better understanding of Chinese society and culture;

6. Have acquired the habit of approaching Mandarin learning tasks on a regular basis;

7. Demonstrate willingness and ability to work with others in the class to carry out communicative tasks in Mandarin Chinese.

Content

Topics to be covered:

1. Talking about occupations
2. Telling and asking about one's age
3. Telling and asking about dates and times
4. Telling and asking about locations
5. Shopping
6. Talking about colours and sizes
7. Eating out
8. Asking for and giving directions

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. Students will be guided and monitored at every stage of learning.

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

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Monitoring and guiding students' practice of the language inside and outside class
Length or Duration: Whole Semester (Weeks 1-13)
Formative and summative:
Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes: 1-7 Unit Objectives: and AoL: 1.1, 1.2; 3.1, 3.2; 4.1
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weekly


Assessment name: Mid-term examination
Description: Description: Assessment of student skills in speaking, listening reading & writing
Length or Duration: 2 hours
Formative and Summative:
Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes: 1-5 Unit Objectives: and AoL: 1.1, 3.1, 3.2
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 5-9


Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: Description: Summative assessment of student skills in all aspects of using the language -speaking, listening, reading and writing
Length or Duration: 2.5 hours
Summative:
Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes:Unit Objectives: 1-7 and AoL: 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2
Weight: 45%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 14 & Exam Weeks


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

Texts and References
1 Short-Term Spoken Chinese Book 1
2 Short-Term Spoken Chinese CDs1x2
3 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: 19-Jun-2012