REGULATIONS FOR THE POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN CHINESE LANGUAGE SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE FOR GRADUATE TEACHERS (PDipCLangSK)

(See also General Regulations)

PDSK 1   Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to studies leading to the Postgraduate Diploma in Chinese Language Subject Knowledge for Graduate Teachers, a candidate shall:

1. comply with the General Regulations;
2. normally be a newly-appointed or serving teacher of Chinese;
3. hold a Bachelor’s degree in a subject other than Chinese;
4. satisfy the examiners in a qualifying examination, if required.

If admitted to the PDipCLangSK programme, candidates who have completed comparable courses from other institutions or obtained qualifications of equivalent standard from this University accepted for this purpose are eligible to apply for waiver of selected courses.  The application for waiver requires the candidates to provide supporting documents (i.e., the description of the academic programme concerned, syllabi of relevant courses and respective grades awarded for those courses), and must be approved by the Programme Director prior to commencement of the courses.  Under normal circumstances, not more than two courses per student may be waived.  Approved waiver(s) will not result in a reduction in the annual fee.

PDSK 2   Qualifying examination

1. A qualifying examination may be set to test the candidate’s formal academic ability or his/her ability to follow the courses of study prescribed.  It shall consist of one or more papers or their equivalent.
2. A candidate who is required to satisfy the examiners in a qualifying examination shall not be permitted to register until he/she has satisfied the examiners in the examination.

PDSK 3   Award of postgraduate diploma

To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Chinese Language Subject Knowledge for Graduate Teachers, a candidate shall

1. comply with the General Regulations; and
2. complete the curriculum and satisfy the examiners in accordance with the regulations set out below.

PDSK 4   Length of curriculum

The curriculum shall normally be completed within two academic years of part-time study with a minimum of 300 hours of prescribed work.

PDSK 5   Completion of curriculum

To complete the curriculum, a candidate shall:

1. follow courses of instruction and complete satisfactorily all prescribed written work; and
2. satisfy the examiners in all prescribed courses and in any prescribed form of examination, if required.

PDSK 6   Assessment

1. A candidate’s performance during the study may be assessed through written assignments, tests and practical work as prescribed by the courses.
2. Candidates will be allowed to proceed to the second year of study provided that they can satisfy the examiners in all core courses in the first year.
3. Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in not more than 2 courses may be reassessed and be required to re-submit their work before the commencement of the second year of study.

PDSK 7   Discontinuation

1. Candidates who fail to satisfy the examiners in more than 2 courses shall be recommended for discontinuation.
2. A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in a second attempt in any course or courses may be required to discontinue his/her studies.
3. Candidates who have failed to complete the curriculum in accordance with this set of regulations within two consecutive academic years may be recommended for discontinuation of studies under the provisions of General Regulation G 12.

PDSK 8   Assessment results

At the conclusion of the programme, a pass list shall be published in alphabetical order.  Candidates who have passed all the courses will be issued with the “Postgraduate Diploma in Chinese Language Subject Knowledge for Graduate Teachers”.  A candidate who has shown exceptional merit may be awarded a mark of distinction, and this mark shall be recorded in the candidate’s diploma.

SYLLABUS FOR THE POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN CHINESE LANGUAGE SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE FOR GRADUATE TEACHERS

The programme aims to equip serving and newly appointed Chinese language teachers with adequate subject knowledge and to provide up-to-date knowledge on the linguistic, literary and cultural facets of the Chinese language.

Candidates are required to take eight core courses and two elective courses and must satisfy the examiners in four core courses in the first year before proceeding to the second year of study.  Each course usually entails two contact hours per week over one semester.

Core courses

CHIN5001.     Modern Chinese Language

A study of the structure, general characteristics and development of the modern Chinese language covering the following topics: Philosophy, Phonology, Lexis, Grammar, Rhetoric, and Generic Types.

CHIN5002.     Ancient Chinese Language

A study of the structure, the general characteristics and development of the ancient Chinese language covering the following topics: Etymology, Phonology, Lexis, Grammar, and Generic Types.

CHIN5003.     Search for Chinese Information

An exploration of the various methods of searching information in bibliographies, indices, dictionaries and on the Internet.

CHIN5004.     Literary Theory: Transmission and Transformation

A study of basic Chinese literary concepts and theories, their evolution and the distinctive characteristics of different literary genres.

CHIN5005.     Classical Chinese Literature

A general survey of standard works and selected writings in classical Chinese literature.

CHIN5006.     Modern and Contemporary Literature

A study of the literary trends in Mainland China since 1917 with special emphasis given to major writers and works of literature.

CHIN5007.     A Survey of Chinese Culture

A study of Chinese culture in areas including science and technology, religion, philosophy and fine arts.

CHIN5008.   An Introduction to Standard Works in Classical Chinese Literature

A study of key texts in classical Chinese literature.

Elective courses

CHIN5009.     Shuowen jiezi

An in-depth study of Shuowen jiezi, an ancient Chinese lexicon.

CHIN5010.     Grammar in Teaching and Rhetoric

An examination of the ways of applying knowledge on grammar and rhetoric in teaching.

CHIN5011.     Selected Works in Prose

A study of selected Chinese works in prose.

CHIN5012.     Poetry and Couplet: Appreciation and Creation

An investigation of the ways of creating and appreciating poems and couplets.

CHIN5013.     Modern Chinese Writers

A study of influential writers in modern China.

CHIN5014.     Literary Creation and Children’s Literature

An exploration of the ways of creating works of literature and a study of children’s literature.

Coursework Assessment

Coursework assessment based on written assignments will count for 100% of the final grade for each course.