LANG 3025 Chinese 306: Traditional Chinese Thought

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 100510

Coordinator Ruying Qi Opens in new window

Description This unit is a thematic unit in the BA Key Program Languages and the BA Interpreting and Translation. It is part of the Chinese major or sub-major and can also be taken as an elective. It introduces students to Chinese thought and way of life - the Confucian-Daoist tradition. Students will explore how China's ancient wisdom shapes its long resilient civilization and how it helps the nation maintain its cultural identity while it exerts an international influence on today's world. Students will read selected works of prominent Chinese thinkers in the original or English versions. This unit will be conducted in Chinese and English.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Eastern Asian Languages

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Assumed Knowledge

Chinese 202 or equivalent.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. gain an appreciation of the resilience and resourcefulness of China's ancient wisdom and of its historical development.
  2. gain an insight into the interplay between philosophical thought, religion, society, government, culture and life to meet challenges and opportunities of a historical change.
  3. have a deepened understanding of the true qualities and strengths of Chinese cultural traditions.
  4. enhance their appreciation of the continuing relevance of traditional Chinese thought to contemporary Chinese society.
  5. further develop their ability to appreciate classical Chinese texts.
  6. develop their reflective, comparative and critical-thinking skills and ability to use such skills to analyse Chinese cultural or social issues through research, presentation and proposal/essay writing.
  7. be enriched by the treasures of the past and participate in conversations concerning the present and future directions in Chinese culture, thought and philosophy.

Subject Content

- An overview of aspects of China's ancient wisdom and its historical development;
- Topics such as Philosophical thought, religion, education, government, management, strategy, health and life that have been important in history as well as in contemporary times in The Eastern and Western World serving as unifying themes.
- Critical analysis of China's influence across regions of Asia and comparative analysis of perspectives of the Eastern and Western values if applicable being brought to bear on the themes.
- An analysis and Understanding of complex social and cultural Issues in their historical, economic and political contexts.
- A series of guided readings, discussions, presentations and research on the nature and capacity of China's ancient wisdom and its application to today's world.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this subject that you must meet in order to successfully complete this subject. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for your subject online.

Inherent Requirements

Prescribed Texts

  • Required readings will be available in a photocopied course reader (available at UWS Co-op Shop ) or on vUWS

Teaching Periods