Modern China: Society, Politics and Economy (KÍN101G)

How does China work? This an overview course of the main factors that influence contemporary Chinese society, politics and economy, with an emphasis on the changes following the implementation of the Open Door Policy in 1978. It is a journey through the major developments of China‘s recent economic history. Politics and changes in the top leadership of the State and the Party will be examined from the perspective of political economy and relations with neighbouring countries in Asia and the Pacific. Certain topics concerning China‘s development will be examined in individual lessons such as energy, environment, demography, arts and international relations. Furthermore,  the status of the family, human and gender rights will be examined. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet will also be discussed. Clips from recent Chinese documentaries on various aspects of the transformation of Chinese society  will be screened. The course is taught in English.

Chinese Language Usage I (KÍN105G)

This course focuses in particular on Chinese phonology by training pronunciation and tones. It is mainly formed of exercises to enhance listening comprehension and oral expression on the basis of course material used in the course Chinese I. The course is based on HSK level 1.

Chinese I (KÍN107G)

This is a comprehensive elementary course in standard Chinese (mandarin, putonghua). Students will learn basic features and the grammatical as well as tonal structure of Chinese, with an emphasis on practical vocabulary for everyday use.

The pinyin transliteration system will be used initially, but then simplified Chinese characters (jiantizi) is gradually introduced. 

The course includes many exercises as well as in-class exams, and students are expected to conduct extensive self-study. Class attendance is compulsory in the course.

History of China II: From the Qing Dynasty to the present (KÍN108G, KÍN102G)

Teacher: Amy Matthewson,SOAS Univeristy of London

This course deals with the rise of ‘modern’ China during the late Qing dynasty (1644-1912) and explores the internal and external forces within China and how events shaped its international standing.  It examines the historical processes within China that led to the development of modern China and explores geopolitical conditions to consider the lasting impact transformations in China had on the global community. The course opens with a brief overview of the founding of the Qing dynasty, the last major dynasty in Chinese history.  It then explores extraordinary occurrences such as imperialism, massive rebellion, and revolution in China, all of which had powerful influences on China’s international interactions.  The course moves on to discuss the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the retreat of the Nationalist government, the policies of Mao Zedong, the Cultural Revolution and the Open Door Policy. The course is taught online through distant learning equipment.

History of China I: From Mythological Origins to Late Ming (KÍN108G, KÍN102G)

This course explores the history of China from the mythical Xia dynasty in the third millenium BCE to the beginning of the nineteenth century. It seeks to illuminate the most important factors in the formation of Chinese culture as well as to explain individual events in the political and social development of the Chinese nation. An overview will be provided of the origin and development of the most important Chinese religious and philosophical streams of thought, notably Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism. Influential individuals will be introduced. The interaction and mutual influence between non-Chinese groups and the Chinese nation in the course of history will be emphasised.

Chinese II (KÍN202G)

This is a comprehensive elementary course in standard Chinese (mandarin, putonghua), continuing the course Chinese I. The approximate course level is HSK 2-3.

Students deepen their knowledge of Chinese grammar, expand their vocabulary, and consolidate their acquired knowledge of Chinese. Active use of the language will be emphasized and teaching will be increasingly conducted in Chinese instead of English. The course includes many exercises as well as in-class exams, and students are expected to conduct extensive self-study.

Chinese Language Usage II (KÍN204G)

This course continues the phonological training of Chinese Language Usage I in terms of pronunciation and tones. It is mainly formed of exercises to enhance listening comprehension and oral expression on the basis of the course material used in the course Chinese II. The course is based on HSK level 2.