Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies programme who have passed Mandarin 1 Beginners and Mandarin 2 Pre-Intermediate. If students have not yet passed Mandarin 3 Intermediate, they are expected to follow that course alongside the Mandarin in Practice course.
Description
This course puts into action the linguistic and cultural knowledge and skills students acquired in their language acquisition courses. Students will apply their knowledge of Mandarin to authentic texts related to International Studies.
Using a theme-based approach, students will practice finding and analysing Mandarin data during the course. Throughout the semester, they will create a portfolio of usable Mandarin data on a relevant topic.
Course objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1) Search and locate written and spoken Mandarin materials that can serve as data or reference. Students will be able to summarise, paraphrase and evaluate these texts in English;
2) Analyze spoken and written Mandarin texts of appropriate level;
3) Improve language skills though tasks;
4) Find and use relevant reference works;
5) Increased autonomy in learning and more agency in working towards individual goals.
Please note that you are not required to completely understand all the materials (listening or reading) that you get for this course. The ability of handling authentic materials with limited language knowledge and useful tools is what matters more in this course. You will learn to navigate uncertainty and explore alternative strategies to handle the various materials.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminars
Seminars are held every week. Attending all seminar sessions is compulsory. If you are unable to attend a session, please inform your lecturer in advance. Being absent at more than two of the sessions will result in a lowering of your participation grade (20% of the end grade) with 0,5 point for each session missed after the first three sessions. Please note that being absent at any session may have a negative impact on the grade of the assignment due for that particular tutorial session. This is at the discretion of the lecturer.
Assessment method
Assessment
Assignments
Midterm assignment
Portfolio
Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Assignments and participation | 20% |
| Midterm assignment | 30% |
| Portfolio | 50% |
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the End Grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of all assessment components.
Resit
If you fail this course, you can resubmit an improved version of your portfolio (50% of the final grade). In case of resubmission of the portfolio (insufficient final grade only) the final grade for the portfolio will be lowered as a consequence of the longer process of completion. The deadline for resubmission is 10 working days after receiving the grade for the portfolio.
The exact arrangements with regards to the format and timing of the Midterm assignment can be found in the course syllabus on Brightspace.
Retaking a passing grade
Retaking a passing grade is not possible for this course.
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2024 – 2025.
Exam review and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organised.
Reading list
Syllabus, various course materials; made available via Brightspace.
Registration
- Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the coordinator (Drs. A.S. Keijser) listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies
Remarks
All other information.