Prospectus

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Topics in Chinese Linguistics (ResMA)

Course
2020-2021

Admission requirements

This course is open to students of the MA Asian Studies (research) or other relevant Research MA programmes.
Students from other programmes are kindly referred to the course description of the regular MA course.

Description

In this course, Chinese and Western traditions in Chinese linguistics are explored and compared, providing thematic and disciplinary backgrounds for the study of Chinese languages and dialects. Close reading of Chinese linguistics texts, both in Chinese and in English, will be combined with assignments on the subjects discussed in these texts.

Course objectives

  • To further increase the students’ abilities in reading scholarly texts in Chinese (printed in simplified & traditional characters) and in English on Chinese and general linguistics, script, and language education;

  • to expand the relevant technical vocabulary in Chinese and in English;

  • to analyze complex academic arguments;

  • to compare different scholarly positions on the same issue;

  • to presenting oral and written summaries in English of (parts of) the texts;

  • to actively participate in group discussions in English;

  • and to gradually build up reading speed.

Timetable

Visit MyTimetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Seminar

Attendance and active participation are obligatory for seminars . Students are required to prepare for and attend all sessions. The convenor needs to be informed without delay of any classes missed because of illness or misadventure. In these cases it is up to the discretion of the convener(s) of the course whether or not the missed class will have to be made up with an extra assignment. The maximum of such absences during a semester is two. Being absent without notification and/or more than two times can result in exclusion from the term end exams and a failing grade for the course.

Course Load

Total Course Load 10 EC x 28 hours 280 hours
Contact hours 24 hours
Preparation for class 120 hours
Oral presentation 12 hours
Written assignments 24 hours
Term paper 100 hours

Assessment method

Academic Integrity

Students should familiarize themselves with the notion of academic integrity and the ways in which this plays out in their own work. A good place to start is this page. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students may not substantially reuse texts they have previously submitted in this or other courses. Minor overlap with previous work is allowed as long as it is duly noted in citation.
Students must submit their assignment(s) through Brightspace, so they can be checked for plagiarism. Submission via email is not accepted.

Assessment and weighing

Partial Assessment Weighing
In-class participation & contributions 15%
Oral presentation 15%
Three written assignments 30%
Term paper 40%

In order to pass the course, students must obtain an overall mark of 5.50 (=6) or higher. The term paper grade must minimally be a 5.

The course is an integrated whole. All assessment parts must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.

Research MA students

  • For Research MA students, Extra Requirement extensions of the regular MA course will take the form of a double target (a) academic publication management and (b) reflection on methodology. For an example, check the Extra Requirement for the Research Master in Linguistics.

  • Research MA students wishing to complete the course with an Extra Requirement need to notify the lecturer in writing before the fifth session of the course. The lecturer will then supply written specifications and a deadline.

Resit

Only if the total weighted average is insufficient (5.49 or lower) and the insufficient grade is the result of an insufficient term paper, a resit of the term paper is possible (40%). In that case the convener of the course may assign a (new) topic and give a new deadline.

A resit of the other partial assessments is not possible.

Exam Review

Students are entitled to view their marked examination within a period of 30 days, following publication of the results of a written examination.

Reading list

T.b.a.

Registration

Students are required to register through uSis. To avoid mistakes and problems, students are strongly advised to register in uSis through the activity number which can be found in the timetable in the column under the heading “USIS-Actnbr.”. More information on uSis is available in Dutch and English. You can also have a look at the FAQ.

Not being registered, means no permission to attend this course. See also the webpage on course and exam enrolment for registration deadlines and more information on how to register.

Contact

Dr. J.M. Wiedenhof.

Remarks

Students with disabilities

The university is committed to supporting and accommodating students with disabilities as stated in the university protocol (especially pages 3-5). Students should contact Fenestra Disability Centre at least four weeks before the start of their courses to ensure that all necessary academic accommodations can be made in time conform the abovementioned protocol.