East Asian Studies and Chinese BA

Program Overview

Students spend a year abroad in China or Taiwan, immersing themselves in the language and culture. The program prepares graduates for international careers in diverse sectors, emphasizing transferable skills and intercultural understanding.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program, East Asian Studies and Chinese BA, is a four-year full-time degree offered by the University of Leeds. It focuses on the cultural, historical, political, and economic dynamics of China and the broader East Asian region. The program aims to equip students with a deep understanding of the region's global interactions and to develop proficiency in the Chinese language.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the culture, history, politics, and economics of China and the East Asian region.
• Develop students' proficiency in the Chinese language, including both simplified and traditional characters.
• Equip students with the knowledge, skills, and intercultural awareness necessary for a wide range of global careers.

Program Description:

The program combines intensive Chinese language study with exploration of the wider East Asian region, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian history, politics, economics, culture, and societies. Students will spend their second year studying at a partner university in China or Taiwan, immersing themselves in Chinese culture and refining their language skills.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Basic Chinese Language 1 (20 credits): This module is designed for complete beginners and focuses on developing all four basic language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) through a variety of interactive and communicative learning activities.
• Basic Chinese Language 2 (20 credits): This module builds upon the foundation established in Year 1 and aims to help students achieve a lower-intermediate level of proficiency.
It continues to emphasize all four language skills and encourages students to become efficient autonomous learners.
• Optional Modules:
• China in East Asian History (20 credits)
• Modern China: History and Culture (20 credits)
• Modern Japan (20 credits)
• Foundations of East Asia (20 credits)
• Introduction to East Asian Religions (20 credits)
• Basic Thai Language and Culture 1 (20 credits)
• World Histories (20 credits)
• Intercultural Competence: Theory and Application (20 credits)
• Politics, Culture and Society (20 credits)
• Discourse, Culture and Identity (20 credits)

Year 2:

• Compulsory Module:
• Year Abroad in China (120 credits): This module provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and refine their language skills at a partner university in China or Taiwan.

Year 3:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Chinese 2A (20 credits): This module focuses on upper-intermediate language skills, including newspaper readings, grammar study, translation, listening comprehension, and interpersonal communication.
It combines traditional classroom teaching with independent learning and group work.
• Chinese 2B (20 credits): This module continues to develop students' practical language skills through intensive and extensive readings, writings, translation/interpretation, listening comprehension, and interpersonal communication.
Topics covered may include literature, business, tourism, education, Taiwan, and other cultural issues.
• Optional Modules:
• Topics in Contemporary Asia Pacific Studies (20 credits)
• China Since 1979 (20 credits)
• Contemporary East Asian Culture (20 credits)
• Society and Culture of Early Modern China (20 credits)
• Civil Society and the Non-Profit Sector in Contemporary China (20 credits)
• Chinese Cinema (20 credits)
• Trauma Narratives in the Contemporary Sinophone World (20 credits)
• Women and Family in Chinese Society (20 credits)
• Japan’s International Relations (20 credits)

Year 4:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Chinese 3: Advanced Skills (20 credits): This module emphasizes active language skills, including speaking, listening, translating from English into Chinese, and composition in Chinese.
It covers topics such as China's politics, economy, environment, education, and other key social and cultural issues.
• Final Year Project: Dissertation, Translation, or Podcast (40 credits): This module allows students to put their language, research, and critical analysis skills into practice by working on an independently researched dissertation, translation, or digital documentary on a topic of their choice.
• Optional Modules:
• Advanced Chinese to English Translation (20 credits)
• Modern Documentary Chinese (20 credits)
• Classical Chinese (20 credits)
• Buddhism: A Lived Tradition (20 credits)
• Religion in China (20 credits)
• Global China in the Developing World (20 credits)
• Global Korea (20 credits)
• East Asia’s Regional Political Economy (20 credits)
• Southeast Asia: Politics and Economy (20 credits)
• Material Cultures and Cultures of Consumption (20 credits)
• Social Movements across Cultures (20 credits)
• Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present (20 credits)
• Linguists into Schools (20 credits)

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Essays
• Exams
• Presentations
• Podcasts
• Literature reviews
• Reflective logs
• Group projects
Assessments are designed to develop transferable skills needed for the world of work and to demonstrate critical thinking, initiative, and knowledge of relevant subjects and sources. Students often have a choice of assessment type. Formative assessments are provided to allow students to practice their skills and prepare for formal assessments.

Teaching:

• Methods: The program employs a mix of teaching methods, including seminars, lectures, workshops, group sessions, and one-to-one supervisions.
Independent learning is also encouraged and supported by a rich range of resources.
• Faculty: The program is taught by expert academics, including lecturers, professors, industry professionals, and trained postgraduate researchers.
• Unique Approaches: The program utilizes innovative and inclusive teaching approaches, such as flipped learning, group presentations, and bespoke digital resources.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of this program are well-prepared for international careers in a wide range of sectors, including education, media, law, publishing, civil service, diplomacy, business and finance, and the charity sector.
• Opportunities: The program develops skills that are highly valued by employers, such as research skills, analytical abilities, communication skills, organizational skills, and intercultural understanding.
• Cultural Events: The University hosts the Leeds Centre for New Chinese Writing, which organizes regular visiting speakers, talks, poetry readings, film screenings, and competitions.
• Careers Centre: The Careers Centre provides guidance and advice on career planning and decision-making.