Chinese
Chinese at Waikato involves the study of Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) and the history, culture and society of ancient and present day China.
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.
Key information
| Study Location: | Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Area of Study: |
Study Chinese as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
Career opportunities
- Diplomat
- Hospitality Operator
- International Lawyer
- Tour Guide
- Translator or Interpreter
- Travel Agent
Papers
Available Chinese papers
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE131 | Chinese for Beginners | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces you to the Chinese writing system, pinyin, and tones. You will also learn the basics of greetings and self-introductions in Chinese. The paper is for complete beginners only. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE231 | Intermediate Chinese 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will extend students' communication skills in Chinese across a range of everyday situations, including celebrations, seeking medical advice, arranging rental accommodation and shopping as a tourist. | |||
| CHINE232 | Intermediate Chinese 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper will enable you to improve your Chinese communication skills across a range of everyday situations by expanding your understanding of more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE306 | Reading and Translation Skills: Chinese | 15.0 | 23A (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. | |||
| CHINE331 | Advanced Chinese 1 | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese 2. | |||
| CHINE332 | Advanced Chinese 2 | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Advanced Chinese 1. | |||
| INTLC301 | Research Methods in International Languages and Cultures | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23B (Hamilton) |
| After workshops covering intercultural contexts in research, bibliography, literature reviews, ethics, data collection and report writing, students will prepare a research project involving the Chinese-, French-, Japanese- or Spanish-speaking worlds. | |||
| INTLC303 | Visual Cultures of East Asia | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper critically examines key forms of East Asian visual culture, with a focus on film and art, and within a comparative context. | |||
| INTLC380 | Study Abroad 1 | 15.0 | 23G (Block), 23I (Block) & 23X (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. | |||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE800 | Chinese MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE900 | Chinese PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 23I (Hamilton), 23J (Hamilton), 23K (Hamilton) & 23X (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
Subject links
Subject Requirements
Expand to read Subject Requirements
Chinese is available as a specialisation within the International Languages and Cultures major for the BA, and as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, or as a minor in any other degree, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
The aim of the specialisation is to provide students with an element of linguistic and cultural competence that better equips them for the professional and personal challenges of a globalised environment; as well as to encourage the study of languages. 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.
International Languages and Cultures major with a specialisation in Chinese
International Languages and Cultures is available as a major for the BA, and may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees. A major in International Languages and Cultures with a specialisation in Chinese requires a total of 135 points and students must complete CHINE131, CHINE231, CHINE232, CHINE331 and CHINE332.
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information.
Chinese in other majors
A minor, or specialisation in other majors requires 60 points above 100 level in Chinese, students must complete CHINE231, CHINE232 and CHINE331.
Entry
The point of entry into the Chinese programme depends on previous experience. Students with little or no previous experience will start with CHINE131. Students with 14 credits in NCEA Level 3 Chinese, or good results in NCEA Level 2 Chinese should start from CHINE231. Students who are uncertain about where to start should contact the Convenor of Chinese.
If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone:
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: [email protected]
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]