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 |
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Area of Study: |
Study Chinese in these qualifications
Study Chinese as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Laws
- Master of Management Studies
- Master of Philosophy
- Master of Science
- Master of Science (Research)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Master of Social Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate
- Postgraduate Diploma
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 1 | 15.0 | 21A (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. | |||
CHINE132 | Chinese for Beginners 2 | 15.0 | 21B (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. | |||
INTLC101 | International Languages and Cultures | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) & 21G (Online) |
This paper introduces students to major world cultures and their languages in a comparative context. Students will gain a critical understanding of culture and diversity through examining the languages and cultures of China, France, Japan, Spain and Latin America. |
200 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
CHINE204 | Visualising China | 15.0 | 21A (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. | |||
CHINE231 | Intermediate Chinese 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
This paper focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the Chinese language at an intermediate level. | |||
CHINE232 | Intermediate Chinese 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
This paper is the continuation of CHINE231. | |||
INTLC221 | Understanding East Asia | 15.0 | 21B (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 | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
CHINE306 | Reading and Translation Skills: Chinese | 15.0 | 21A (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. | |||
CHINE307 | Political and Economic Modernisation in Chinese-speaking Asia | 15.0 | 21B (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. | |||
CHINE321 | Translation Methodology and Practice | 15.0 | 21B (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. | |||
CHINE331 | Advanced Chinese 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese 2. | |||
CHINE332 | Advanced Chinese 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Advanced Chinese 1. | |||
INTLC380 | Study Abroad 1 | 15.0 | 21G (Block), 21I (Block) & 21X (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. | |||
INTLC390 | Directed Study | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21B (Hamilton), 21D (Hamilton) & 21H (Hamilton) |
At the discretion of the relevant Programme Convenor, students undertake independent but guided research on a topic of the student's choice |
500 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
CHINE501 | Advanced Chinese Language Acquisition | 30.0 | 21A (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. | |||
CHINE503 | Advanced Research into Modern and Contemporary Chinese Society | 30.0 | 21A (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. | |||
CHINE504 | Readings in Modern Chinese Literature | 30.0 | 21B (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... | |||
CHINE507 | Special Topic | 30.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21B (Hamilton) & 21D (Hamilton) |
No description available. | |||
CHINE508 | Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language | 30.0 | 21A (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. | |||
CHINE590 | Directed Study | 30.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21B (Hamilton) & 21D (Hamilton) |
Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
CHINE591 | Dissertation | 30.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
CHINE592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
CHINE593 | Chinese Thesis | 90.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
CHINE594 | Chinese Thesis | 120.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
800 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
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CHINE800 | Chinese MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 21X (Hamilton) |
No description available. |
900 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
CHINE900 | Chinese PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 21X (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
Chinese is available as a specialisation within the International Languages and Cultures major.
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:
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]