LS1491 Chinese A1.1 and Chinese Studies for Engineers 7.5 credits

Chinese Studies

The factual part of the course gives an introduction to China and Chinese culture, stretching from geography, history, religion and philosophy to the societal system of today, demography, and other central themes and phenomena. The aim is to provide knowledge of how China and Chinese culture have developed in order to facilitate a deeper understanding of current political events, processes of change and technical development, as well as increase the ability of successful communication across cultural borders.

Language

After an overview of pronunciation, the transcription system pinyin, grammar, and the history, principles and art of the Chinese characters, students learn common sentence patterns and words. Writing exercises are mainly done by hand, but also on a computer/mobile. The practical language exercises are focused on everyday spoken Standard Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua). The course contains about 130 characters.

The intended learning outcomes for the course are at level A1.1 according to the CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for language, and aim to strengthen student's global competence.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Chinese Studies

• account for relevant perspectives on China's culture and society as a concept and as an object of study

• present basic facts about development and circumstances in China's history and present-day China

• display in-depth knowledge within a specialised field in China's history or present-day China

• find and present credible and substantial facts about relevant Chinese phenomena

• present an understanding of how cultural patterns influence communication

Language

• identify tones and syllables in slow and very clearly spoken Standard Chinese

• understand and use certain simple sentence patterns in speech and writing

• identify real and lexical radicals in simplified or traditional characters

• write Chinese characters by hand and with a computer/mobile phone

• read aloud familiar texts written with pinyin or characters

• participate in limited, simple conversations

General admission requirements Applicant to the course should not have prior knowledge in Chinese.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• KONA - Assessment, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• LEXA - Continous assessment, 6.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

All course components passed.

75% attendance requirement

Björn Kjellgren

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.