This is a regional course for students interested in China. It focuses on key social and cultural topics essential to understanding both traditional society and its influence modern and contemporary China. The course is structured around such themes as conceptions of time and space, the written and spoken word, the past and its records, traditional thought and belief, society, government and bureaucracy, cultural pursuits and literary products, inventions and technical advances, or Western interlocutors. The course intends to provide students with in-depth knowledge about core aspects of traditional Chinese culture necessary for any serious occupation with present day China and Chinese communities all over the world.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and reproduce key features of traditional Chinese culture and thought and modern discourses about such traditions.
- Take on a different cultural perspective from which to view oneself, one’s culture and one’s society.
- Compare and critique theoretical knowledge of this field in light of empirical examples.
- Locate and analyse new information from a wide variety of Western sources.
Indicative Assessment
- Weekly tutorial questions submitted at the beginning of tutorials (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- 1st tutorial paper: A detailed bibliography and a detailed structure for an essay with a brief explanatory outline about one course topic (min. 1000 words). (Topic lottery) (10) [LO 1,3,4]
- 2nd tutorial paper: A written out version of the essay (1500/2500 words) suggested in the first tutorial paper including improvements from the first correction. (20) [LO 1,3,4]
- Final Exam (50) [LO 1,2,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The course comprises a weekly load of two one-hour lectures and two one-hour tutorials. It demands six hours of tutorial preparation, including assigned readings, and review of lectures.Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Texts for this course will be announced during the first tutorial.Assumed Knowledge
This course assumes no knowledge of the Chinese language.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $5280 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8618 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |