China is one of the world's oldest and most far-reaching civilisations. It is also one of the fastest growing economies since the 1980s. These characteristics and the relationship between the various Chinese societies make the study of China and Chinese culture particularly important concerns in Australia's future.

In exceptional circumstances, students with advanced skills in Chinese are excluded from the Chinese Language and Culture program and are required to substitute other appropriate subjects from the list of approved alternative subjects. These subjects may be other subjects on offer in the International Studies program, including those relating to the study of contemporary society or those focusing on another language and culture. Students interested in studying classical Chinese or Chinese at a level not currently offered at UTS should inquire at the Institute about the possibility of undertaking Chinese subjects offered at other institutions. Students need to obtain the approval of the Board of Studies of the Institute before they can vary any of their subjects of study in the International Studies program.

Through arrangements made by the Institute, students spend two consecutive semesters studying at one of the following universities:

• Zhejiang University, Hangzhou
• Yunnan Normal University, Kunming
• Shanxi University, Taiyuan
• Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin.

In both semesters, the focus is on the study of language and culture. Students are assessed separately on each semester and assessment is based on the subjects undertaken at the host institutions, as well as assessments administered by the Institute for International Studies.

Students may expect that no greater costs are incurred through undertaking a period of In-country Study in China than are involved in living away from home in Sydney.

Locations

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province on China's Eastern seaboard, just south of Shanghai. It is the home of the Chinese silk industry (there is a vast silk market in the centre of town) and a major tea-centre (Dragon Well Tea is one of the country's best-known). It is also a former national capital, famous for its rich culture and the beautiful West Lake. Hangzhou is one of the most pleasant Chinese cities with a fairly mild climate.

Founded in 1897, Zhejiang University in Hangzhou is one of the oldest and largest universities in China. It is particularly well known for its studies of engineering, ophthalmics and economics. It has more than 33,000 full-time students and over 10,000 staff members, with 20 faculties (schools) and 97 majors for undergraduate students, 194 Master's degree programs and 106 doctoral programs. The University has a purpose-built overseas student dormitory on campus.

Kunming

Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan Province on the southwest of China bordering Burma, Laos and Vietnam. Known as 'spring city' in China, Kunming is famous for its scenic spots and pleasant weather all year round. It is also a city of rich history for over 2,000 years and is characterised by the diverse cultures of the ethnic minorities.

Yunnan Normal University in Kunming was founded in 1946. It developed from the Teachers' College of the Southwest Associated University, established through a merger of Beijing University, Qinghua University and Nankai University during World War II, the three best universities in China at that time. Yunnan Normal University is known for its strength in the areas of education and studies on the cultures of minority nationalities in south-western China. With the UNESCO-sponsored Southwest China In-service English Training Centre on its campus, the University is also famous for its international links. It has more than 5,000 full-time students and 6,000 adult students, with 14 faculties or departments. The University has a purpose-built overseas student dormitory on campus.

Taiyuan

Shanxi Province is the cradle of Chinese culture. Approximately 75 per cent of the surface architecture from ancient China is located in the province. These sites have become important tourist attractions that can assist people to understand Chinese culture and history.

Shanxi University, founded in 1902, is one of the three earliest established national universities in China. The University is located in Taiyuan City, Capital of Shanxi Province, 520 km from Beijing, 40 minutes by air, 6 hours by bus, 10 hours by train. It offers a wide range of degree, diploma and certificate courses in the fields of liberal arts, sciences, engineering, management, arts and physical education. The University has established intercollegiate relationships with 38 colleges and universities and research institutions all over the world. It began to enrol overseas students in 1981 and more than 1,000 overseas students from dozens of countries have studied there since.

Tianjin

Lying 120 km south-east of Beijing, Tianjin is one of the four municipalities in China directly under the administration of the central government. It is the largest open seaport and one of the most important industrial, commercial and cultural centres in North China. It was once a treaty port with large areas claimed by Western powers as concessions, and many European-style structures have survived intact. Since the 1980s, Tianjin has been in the forefront of China's opening to the outside world and currently more than 8,000 foreign-funded firms are in operation in the city.

Founded in 1958, Tianjin Normal University is the key comprehensive teachers' training institution in Tianjin. It is well known for studies in the areas of development psychology, as well as languages and culture. It has more than 5,000 full-time students and 2,000 adult students, with 14 faculties or departments. The University has a purpose-built overseas student dormitory on campus.

Completion requirements

Select one of the following:		8cp
50140 Comparative Social Change	8cp
76600 International Legal Studies	8cp
976111 Contemporary China		8cp
977110 In-country Study 1: China		24cp
978110 In-country Study 2: China		24cp
CBK90480 Chinese Language and Culture		32cp
Total		96cp