Dear Chinese Studies Students,
A special welcome to all first year Chinese Studies majors: As you begin your journey in Chinese studies, you will learn about different aspects and gain new perspectives about Chinese societies. The styles of learning and teaching here are different from those in the secondary school environment, but we are all here to learn. So, work with your fellow students, and never feel shy asking questions to your teaching assistants and teachers!
Academic Counseling
All new students should attend the Academic Counseling Session on 23 August 2022. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about the programme and its study scheme. There is no formal counseling session for continuing students, but if you have any questions about the study program, ask your academic advisor via email or in counseling sessions.
Every major student is assigned to a teacher who serves as your academic advisor during your study here. Please do visit her/him regularly—you may talk about anything academic that is of concern to you, but you don’t have to have a problem to see your advisor. Just drop by to say hi, or arrange a time to have lunch or afternoon tea. Your advisor is happy to see you!
General Advice for Students
All first-year Chinese Studies majors (including transfer-in students) should take the required courses CHES1000, CHES1003, CHES1004 and CHES1100 in their first year. Students are required to take 6 units of Chinese language and culture courses from Chinese Language Foundation/Chinese Communication on China areas depending on the student’s level of Chinese language proficiency. These courses will be preassigned by the Centre Office.
Generally speaking, 2000-level courses are designed for 2nd year students, 3000-level courses are designed for 3rd year students, and 4000-level courses are designed for 3rd and 4th year students. Second-year students are allowed to take 3000/4000-level courses, but may find them difficult. We recommend that you take 1000-level courses in your 1st year, 2000- and 3000-level courses in your 2nd year, and 3000-4000 level courses in your 3rd and 4th years.
You are free to take elective courses following your own interests. Note that many elective courses are offered once every other year. You will need to plan your study program accordingly. Please check the Study Scheme of your admitted year and seek advice from your academic advisor while planning course registration and get department approval in advance when needed in special circumstances.
The following Curriculum Structure and Major Requirements are applicable to BA students admitted in 2022 and onward. Those admitted before 2022 should refer to their corresponding study schemes listed below.
Curriculum Structure
| Component | No. of Units | ||
| Major Programme Requirement | Faculty Package* | 9 | 72 |
| Required Courses | 30 | ||
| Elective Courses | 33 | ||
| University Core requirements | |||
| Languages | Chinese language | 5 | 39 |
| English language | 8 | ||
| General Education** | 19 | ||
|
Understanding China |
1 | ||
|
Hong Kong in the Wider Constitutional Order |
1 | ||
|
Digital Literacy and Computational Thinking |
3 | ||
| Physical Education | 2 | ||
| Free Electives | Remaining Units | ||
| Total | At least 123 | ||
* Including CHES 1100 Unofficial China pre-assigned
** University General Education 7 Units; College General Education 6 Units; General Education Foundation 6 Units
Major Requirements
| Major Required and Elective Courses | No. of Units | Specific time to take | |
| (a) Three Faculty Package including (CHES1100) | 9 | Year 1 -2 | |
| (b) Introductory Courses (CHES1000, 1003, 1004 pre-assigned)* | 9 | Year 1 | |
|
(c) Chinese Language and Culture Courses** Chinese Language Foundation OR Chinese Communication on China |
6 | Year 2 – Year 3 | |
| (d) Experiential Learning Courses | |||
| China Summer Field Trip CHES3300 | 3 | Year 2 Summer Session | |
| Social Enterprise Project in China CHES3400 | 3 | Year 3 Summer Session | |
| Social-Cultural Immersion CHES3403 | 3 | Year 2 Summer Session | |
| (e) Research Component Courses | |||
| Research Methods CHES3500 | 3 | Year 4 Term 1 | |
| Thesis Research Paper CHES4500 | 3 | Year 4 Term 2 | |
| (f) Elective Courses | 33 | Year 1 Term 2 – Year 4 | |
| No. of Units | 63 | ||
* Introduction to Chinese Studies CHES1000; Understanding China through Texts 1 CHES1003; Understanding China through Texts 2 CHES 1004.
** CCS Students are required to take 6 units of Chinese language and culture courses from either “Chinese Language Foundation” or “Chinese Communication on China”, depending on the student’s level of Chinese language proficiency.
Applicable to students admitted in 2022-23
Applicable to students admitted in 2021-22
Applicable to students admitted in 2020-21
Applicable to students admitted in 2019-20