Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-CHINESE Background Students

The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only. 

Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.

Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.

Mandarin is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people in the world and is one of the six official languages of the UN. China has a 5000 year history and culture, boasts the fastest-growing economy in the world and is widely regarded as the potentially biggest global market in the twenty-first century.

A major in Chinese (Mandarin) provides a course of study which allows students who have no prior knowledge of Mandarin or of Chinese characters to specialise in Mandarin.

Students may commence their Chinese (Mandarin) language studies at the Beginner or Intermediate level depending on their language proficiency. Native or near-native speakers and speakers of another Chinese dialect who are familiar with Chinese characters will enrol in the major Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background students.

Major Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this major, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the Mandarin language and grammar
2. Comprehend spoken and written Chinese equivalent to Level 3 in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
3. Communicate in both spoken and written Chinese equivalent to Level 3 in the CLPS and B1 level in the CEFR.
4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern China, its people and language

Subjects Required for Major Study

Beginners Entry

The Beginner stream assumes no prior knowledge of the language. For students commencing studies at the Beginner level, the major in Chinese (Mandarin) for beginners or near beginners consists of at least  54 credit points, as outlined below.

Intermediate Entry

Students who took Chinese Continuers or Extension at the HSC level may enter the language sequence at the level of MAND251. For students commencing studies at the Intermediate level in 2016, the major in Chinese (Mandarin) consists of at least 48 credit points.

All students entering the Chinese ( Mandarin) major at the level of MAND152 or MAND251 must obtain approval from the appropriate Chinese (Mandarin) Subject Co-ordinator

  Plus ONE subject from the following: (These subjects are offered subject to availability. Entry for Study Abroad/Exchange subjects requires the formal approval of the Chinese (Mandarin) Program) 

*A 300-level 6 credit point subject with appropriate content may be approved in place of the above subjects by the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

Subjects Required for Minor Study

A  24 credit point minor study consisting of four sequential subjects in Mandarin is available.

Whilst the minor will not be stipulated on the student's testamur at graduation, it will be recorded on the academic transcript.

Diploma in Languages

Students who wish to undertake a Diploma concurrently with their Bachelors Degree course should refer to the Diploma in Languages for further information.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au