Bachelor of Arts Honours in Chinese

Purpose

The Department of Modern Foreign Languages wishes to extend its Mandarin programme to Postgraduate level as part of a strategic initiative. Mandarin was introduced as a first-year module in 2000, and may now be taken as a major within the Bachelor of Arts Humanities and Bachelor of Arts Language and Culture. The new programme will be in line with the Honours programmes in German and French offered by the Department.

Rationale

It is important for the Department of Modern Foreign Languages to broaden its academic focus through the introduction of Mandarin at Postgraduate level and to produce graduates who are experts in cultural mediation between South Africa and the Peoples' Republic of China.

In 2008 the Department had 22 third-year students in Mandarin (more than in German and French) many of whom have expressed an interest to continue their studies on Postgraduate level.

Students with an average of at least 60% in Mandarin at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• Not applicable. This is a specialist programme and admission is only for students who have completed the undergraduate programme in Mandarin. Every effort will be made to recruit more students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Access to the Qualification

A Bachelor's Degree with Mandarin at NQF Level 7 with an average of 60% in the language.

There are 2 compulsory modules

• Mandarin and aspects of cultural medication - 90 Credits.
• Assignment (Mandarin language, Chinese literature and culture) - 30 Credits.

The programme serves to consolidate and deepen the students' expertise as speakers of Mandarin as a foreign language. It develops research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the subject. Students will have the linguistic, cultural and analytical abilities to communicate in an authentic Chinese environment and to function as cultural interlocutors/mediators between China and South Africa.

Students will acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of

• Chinese social and cultural values.
• The history, structure and conventions of the Mandarin language and characters.
• Important Chinese literary texts.
• Chinese history.

The programme prepares students for research based Postgraduate studies in Mandarin.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification addresses all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. A student who obtains this qualification can

• Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
• Work with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community.
• Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
• Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
• Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
• Demonstrate and understand the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
• Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
• Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
• Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
• Explore education and career opportunities.
• Develop entrepreneurial opportunities.

Integrated Assessment

Since there will be fewer than 5 students, academic staff will have regular individual contact with each one in order to monitor progress. Assessment takes place according to internationally recognised criteria. External examiners will moderate every exam as well as the research paper and the external review panel (every 6 years) will ensure the explicitness, validity and reliability of assessment practices.