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Chinese

Chinese at Waikato involves the study of Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) and the history, culture and society of ancient and present day China.

This is a graduate and postgraduate subject. At undergraduate (Bachelors) level, the equivalent major is International Languages and Cultures (Chinese stream).

China ("Zhongguo" – the Central Kingdom) has a civilisation that spans 4,000 years, the longest unbroken civilisation in the world. It was the centre of East Asian culture for many centuries, exerting a strong influence on its immediate neighbours, including Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

Over the last two decades China has achieved the highest economic growth rate in the world. According to World Bank and IMF estimates, in terms of real size of its economy, China now ranks second internationally. It's home to one fifth of the world's population and is poised to become a massive world force.

As part of the Asia Pacific region, New Zealand has substantial links with the countries of Chinese-speaking Asia, with China, Hong Kong and Taiwan included among New Zealand's top ten trading partners. There is a large Chinese immigrant community in New Zealand and large numbers of Chinese tourists visit.

An understanding of this emerging modern power and its language is an invaluable tool, whether you are studying Chinese language and culture out of interest or for career reasons.

Apply to enrol

Key information

Study Location:Hamilton
Area of Study:

Study Chinese in these qualifications

Study Chinese as a specialisation of

Career opportunities

  • Diplomat
  • Hospitality Operator
  • International Lawyer
  • Tour Guide
  • Translator or Interpreter
  • Travel Agent

100 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
CHINE131Chinese Language 1: Part A20A (Hamilton)
An introductory paper designed for students with no previous knowledge of Chinese. It takes an integrated approach involving all four of the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students with prior knowledge of Chinese should consult the Convenor of Chinese regarding placement.
CHINE132Chinese Language 1: Part B20B (Hamilton)
This paper is the continuation of CHINE131/CHIN131 and focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the Chinese language at an elementary level.
INTLC101International Languages and Cultures20B (Hamilton) & 20G (Online)
A cultural perspectives paper with a thematic focus on languages and cultures of China, France, Japan, Spain and Latin America.

200 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
CHINE204Visualising China20A (Hamilton)
This paper offers a critical examination of a number of key aspects of traditional and contemporary Chinese visual culture within a comparative historical framework. This paper is taught in English, and is delivered largely online.
CHINE231Chinese Language 2: Part A20A (Hamilton)
This paper focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the Chinese language at an intermediate level.
CHINE232Chinese Language 2: Part B20B (Hamilton)
This paper is the continuation of CHINE231.
INTLC221Understanding East Asia20B (Hamilton)
This paper offers a critical examination of historical traditions and contemporary life in East Asia, with a focus on China and Japan, and their roles within a global context. This paper is taught in English and is open to all students, including those who have no prior knowledge of Chinese and Japanese.

300 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
CHINE306Reading and Translation Skills20A (Hamilton)
This paper is designed primarily for native speakers of Chinese. It is taught bilingually and aims to improve students' bilingual reading skills and develop students' ability to translate from and into Chinese and English.
CHINE307Political and Economic Modernisation in Chinese-speaking Asia20B (Hamilton)
This paper explores the different models of political and economic modernisation adopted in the four predominantly Chinese-speaking regions of Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Note: This paper is taught in English.
CHINE321Translation Methodology and Practice20B (Hamilton)
This paper develops students' ability to translate from Chinese to English and vice versa, utilising a variety of readings. Note: This paper is designed for non-native speakers of Chinese only. Native Chinese speakers are eligible to enrol in CHINE306.
CHINE331Chinese Language 3: Part A20A (Hamilton)
This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Chinese Language Part 2.
CHINE332Chinese Language 3: Part B20B (Hamilton)
This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Chinese Language 3: Part A.
CHINE380Study Abroad20X (Block)
This paper involves intensive language and/or society and culture instruction at education institutions in Chinese-speaking Asia.
CHINE390Directed Study20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton) & 20D (Hamilton)
This paper involves an investigation of a particular topic in the field of Chinese Studies.
INTLC380Study Abroad 120X (Block)
This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor.

500 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
CHINE501Advanced Chinese Language Acquisition20A (Hamilton)
The aim of this paper is to enable students to develop their Chinese language communication skills at an advanced level. The paper will cover the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
CHINE503Advanced Research into Modern and Contemporary Chinese Society20A (Hamilton)
This paper focuses on important issues relating to modern and contemporary Chinese society. It utilises primary sources as a basis for the study of recent social structural changes in Chinese-speaking Asia.
CHINE504Readings in Modern Chinese Literature20B (Hamilton)
This paper covers selected readings from the literary works of some of the most influential Chinese writers of the twentieth century. The aim of the paper is to develop students' abilities to handle literary texts in the Chinese language, as well as to gain some insight into the social and cultural milieu in which Chinese writers o...
CHINE507Special Topic20A (Hamilton), 20B (Hamilton) & 20D (Hamilton)
No description available.
CHINE508Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language20A (Hamilton)
A general overview and analysis of theories and research in the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language and TCFL practice world wide. This paper focuses on language analysis from a pedagogical perspective, the evaluation and development of TCFL teaching materials and curriculum design and development.
CHINE590Directed Study20A (Hamilton) & 20D (Hamilton)
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
CHINE591Dissertation20X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
CHINE592Dissertation20X (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
CHINE593Chinese Thesis20X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
CHINE594Chinese Thesis20X (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

800 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
CHIN800Chinese MPhil Thesis20X (Hamilton)
No description available.

900 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
CHIN900Chinese PhD Thesis20X (Hamilton)
No description available.

Scholarships and prizes

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

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Subject links

East Asian Studies

Chinese is available as a specialisation within the International Languages and Cultures major. Details of the requirements for the Chinese language specialisation can be found under International Languages and Cultures.
Chinese is available as a minor within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.

The language acquisition papers are designed primarily for learners of Modern Standard Chinese as a foreign or second language. Students with prior knowledge of Chinese must consult with the programme convenor before enrolling in language acquisition papers. The papers in Chinese history, culture and society are taught in English and are also available to non-language students.

For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080 or email: alpss@waikato.ac.nz

Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.

Contacts

School of Arts
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4932
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: chin-fass@waikato.ac.nz
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: chin-grad@waikato.ac.nz