Year 1
You will study Chinese 1 an introduction to modern spoken and written Chinese.
If you already have some knowledge of the Chinese language you may qualify to enrol in Chinese 2A an intermediate-level Chinese course.
Besides Chinese language classes you will also have an opportunity to take courses which cover modern East Asian history or literature and film in modern China. Alternatively you can choose courses from a wide range offered by the University of Edinburgh.
History courses in Year 1 are broad survey courses that are designed to prepare you for more specialised study in Years 3 and 4.
Current courses range from the Middle Ages to the present. You will take one of these courses and also a compulsory course in historical skills that engages with broader questions about the nature of history as an academic discipline and the methods and skills required for historical research.
Year 2
You will continue to learn Chinese language and explore Chinese culture.
You will also have the opportunity to begin learning classical Chinese and modern Chinese translation as well as to complete an independent project on a topic within Chinese studies.
As in Year 1 History courses offer broad surveys that are designed to prepare you for more specialised study in Years 3 and 4.
Extending your range geographically and chronologically these courses currently cover various periods and themes in American European British Scottish and global history. You will choose one of them and also take a compulsory course on historiography.
Year 3
If international travel restrictions allow you will spend Year 3 abroad either in China or Taiwan turning classroom learning into living engagement with Chinese and East Asian culture.
Besides developing your language and cross-cultural communication skills in an immersive environment you will begin work on your dissertation and submit a detailed dissertation proposal on a topic related to Chinese studies.
In selected locations there are opportunities for homestays with local families.
You will also undertake year abroad work for History.
If international travel is not possible you will be offered alternative ways of engaging with your subjects. This will allow you to meet your learning outcomes and prepare for your final year.
Year 4
You will continue to study Chinese language focusing on advanced skills in speaking reading and writing. You will build on your existing translation skills.
Alongside the Chinese language you will be able to choose from courses on film politics modern and pre-modern history literature contemporary Chinese society and economic history.
You will also be able to choose from a wide range of specialist History courses.
You will continue to develop your Chinese studies dissertation project under formal supervision with an assigned supervisor. The dissertation will help you develop more advanced research skills and the final version will be submitted in the second semester.
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